By Sam Chernakoff

“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” ― Babe Ruth

There was some excitement in the air in the home opener that took place on February 26, as our own Stony Brook Seawolves engaged in America’s pastime for the first time in what felt like forever. The Seawolves took the diamond twice that Friday to play the Sacred Heart Pioneers. The Seawolves won both games, and the celebration went further than the athletes on the field: the sight of sports being played at Stony Brook, even with only a few fans in attendance, was something to get excited about. Baseball has always been bigger than the game itself, and this time it brought a hope that, amid the pandemic, we are on the path to normalcy.

The team is unable to travel to play in warmer areas this season as originally planned. They had been scheduled to open the season vs. Michigan at Port St. Lucie, the Mets’ Spring training location in Florida. The regional schedule in place, however, allows teams to face opponents on equal ground. They can really get to know another team by playing them multiple times.

I was able to help with commentary for a few innings of the first game, and that was a great experience. Being outside in almost perfect baseball weather had spring feeling in sight. In Game One, the Seawolves had a pitching battle in the first six innings, until they got on the board with a much-needed R.B.I. (Run Batted In) by graduate student John LaRocca. Junior Nick DeGennaro got the win for the Seawolves in the first game, combining with starter and ace Jared Milch, senior, for only four hits allowed and six strikeouts.

The Seawolves won by a much larger margin in the second game of the day by a score of 7-1. LaRocca and junior Evan Giordano each recorded two R.B.I.’s—one of them on Giordano’s home run, early in the second inning. Graduate student Sam Turcotte got the win in the second game, only allowing for one hit and recording nine strikeouts. Both pitchers for the Seawolves were dealing, as it seemed like they were not rusty one bit after the shortened 2020 season. The Seawolves have great momentum going into their next few games and the hope to try and get back to first place in the America East Division, like they did two years ago.