Adam PoreskyThe Cabrini baseball club/team exhibits unity, confidence, positivity, excitement and tenacity. The club placed sixth in the playoffs. One of the team captains, Mark Tripolitsiotis said, “It took four years to get these guys but I’d take these guys into any battle.”
This baseball club started last fall with few participants but did not fully launch until the spring semester and while they didn’t play any games they had practice every Monday night from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Eight of last year’s members returned but the freshmen have really been stepping up and have made a huge commitment, which has brought the team along, according to Adam Poresky, club president and a sophomore psychology major.
The baseball team won its first official game Oct. 30 by four runs. Their current record is 3-7 and they made the playoffs in their inaugural season. They are currently looking for a coach and players for the spring with a need for pitchers.
Without a coach at this time and little funds being provided by the school, the club is being headed by three captains, their manager and their president: Mark Tripolitsiotis, Anthony Vellutato, Bob Moren, Chrissy Haurin and Adam Poresky.
The team gives a lot of credit to Orlin Jespersen, director of intramurals and recreation for his help with equipment and budget problems.
The baseball club is a part of the National Adult Baseball Association consisting of people 18-40 years of age who were minor league or Division I players.
The team took a huge step to be recognized. One night they stormed into President Antoinette Iadarola’s office and asked to speak to her about their club. The president was open and accepting with them despite short notice and was very accommodating.
“Our goal was only to get our voices heard and our name out; not to step on any toes” Poresky said.
The team sees where they have come as a huge accomplishment from barely having any interest last fall. This team exists because of personal fundraising and needs more support from the school to continue according to all of its members.
The team is looking to push baseball this year and will be selling calendars and t-shirts to raise money. Flyers for upcoming games will be posted around campus and vans are provided for games. The team also has a Facebook group and is asking for support in anyway possible.
“We came in as 16 individuals with our own egos and we left as a team” said Rich Biart, a former captain of the baseball team.
On Saturday, Nov. 5, the men traveled to South Jersey for the playoffs. They were defeated but the team was still in good spirits.
“We went 14 innings, Doug Will, pitcher, threw an amazing game going 10 innings and our fielders played a flawless game. The game was called on horrible a call by the umpire who called a ball and the game ended 3-2 in the bottom of the fourteenth inning,” Poresky said.
“Whenever we thought we were in a hole we really picked each other up,” Pore-sky said. “This team has more heart and more fun than any team I have ever seen.”
Posted to the web by Brian Coary
