Boston, MA - The Falcons Baseball team is taking flight this weekend, as they head to Rio Grande, Ohio, where they look to extend the best start in school history (13-0). The weekend will be composed of two double headers against University of Rio Grande Red Storm who currently hold an 8-7 record. After a perfect 12-0 start this fall, the Falcons kicked off their spring campaign last Saturday with a 9-4 victory over the Anna Maria College Amcats. Heading into action this weekend, the Falcons lead the A.I.I. Conference in every offensive category , except triples and HR's. The Fisher bats have tallied a total of 123 runs (9.46 per game), 103 RBIs (7.92 per game) and 163 hits (12.54 per game), while hitting at .368 clip. The pitching staff, who has seen production from 15 pitchers thus far, are also throwing well as they lead the A.I.I in ERA (1.81) and strikeouts (114) over the first 13 games. Defensively the Falcons also lead the A.I.I. as they have committed just five errors this season.
The Falcons pitching staff is led by senior ace Zach Leblanc (Salem, MA) who is currently 5-0 in his first five starts this season and has a 1.93 ERA. Leblanc has pitched a total of 28 innings this season and has earned 37 strikeouts while allowing just six earned runs. He also earned this season's first A.I.I. Pitcher of the Week award for his performance in the fall. Norberto Ceballos (Loiza, PR) and Kevin Bongiovanni (Bayside, NY) have pitched well for their squad as well, combining for five wins, 28 strikeouts, and allowing just 15 hits. Freshman John Travieso (Miami, FL) leads the Falcons with two saves over ten innings pitched, striking out five and holding his opponents to a .129 batting average.
Offensively, the Falcons will look to first baseman, Mitchell Lundholm (Plymouth, MA) to continue to have the hot stick as he leads the team with 23 hits and 23 RBIs. Of his 23 hits, 10 of them have come for extra bases, including a team-high eight doubles. Falcons shortstop, Jacob Deziel (Merrimac, MA) has a .548 batting average after 13 games, good for second in the conference. After 31 plate appearances, Deziel has notched 17 hits, 17 runs, five doubles, and five RBIs, while maintaining an on base percentage at 0.674%. Leadoff man, freshman Jorge Sanchez (Caguas, PR) has been productive in that role as he sits second on team in average (.444), hits (21) and walks (9). Sanchez also leads the conference in stolen bases with 10 in his young rookie season.
The Red Storm will be looking to bounce back from a pair of tough losses (1-5, 3-4) to Bluefield College on February 19th. Collectively, the Red Storm has scored 94 runs this season (6.2 runs per game) while holding their opponents to 78 (5.2 runs per game). RGU has notched 131 hits (8.73 per game) this season, including 35 extra base hits. The Red Storm pitching staff is comprised of 12 pitchers and have a team ERA of 5.21 while striking out 114 as a squad. Senior Zach Harvey (Kenova, WV) leads the way on the staff with a pair of wins and 28 K's under his belt. Junior Zach Kendall (Troy, OH) has also pitched well for the Storm, maintaining a 4.34 ERA over 18 innings pitched while striking out 18. Rio Grande is led offensively by junior Dylan Shockley (Minford, OH) who has a team high .404 average, 19 hits, 8 doubles, while striking out just twice. Senior David Rodriguez (Santo Domingo, DR) has manned the power for the Storm, having knocked five homeruns and 15 RBI in 42 at bats.
The two teams will square off for the first time on Saturday afternoon at the Bob Evans baseball field in Rio Grande, OH at 1pm with the second game to follow. The action will continue on Sunday for another pair of doubleheaders slated for 12 and 3pm starts.