BASEBALL: COMING IN LIKE A LION – WEEK 1

by Rich Barnett

DUNDALK, MD – While the pros are warm and cozy spring training down in Florida, the CCBC Dundalk Lions have been just trying to sneak one past Mother Nature and get in some games. And when they have been able to play, they've been bundled and swaddled in hats, gloves, mufflers, and extra layers just trying to stay warm. And what was up with all that wind?

The season was supposed to start on February 24 with a doubleheader against Rowan College at Burlington County (Pemberton, N.J.). Cold and wet winter weather resulted in unsavory field conditions and the games were postponed.

On February 25 the Lions took to the road for a doubleheader against Delaware Technical and Community College (Georgetown, Del.). The Roadrunners got a nine run lead before the Lions answered with two runs in the top of the fourth. The Lions went through five pitchers and went down to the Roadrunners 11-5. Freshman righty, Joe Rubalcaba (Catonsville) got the loss, and RBIs for Zach Huddleston (Good Counsel), Malik Miller – 3 (Cardozo | Queens N.Y.), and Aarron Rodriguez (Telecom, Brooklyn, N.Y.)

The Lions scored early in game two, but DelTech rebounded to best the Lions 4-3. Sophomore RHP Antonio Fernandez (John Bowne | Queens, N.Y.) faced 18 batters in 3.2 innings and Freshman LHP Chance Gensler (Kenwood) faced five in two innings, getting the loss. Ivan Martinez (Clifton | Bronx N.Y.) doubled, Shawn Dignazio (Kenwood) tripled, and Dignazio, Charles Lebron (Grand Street Campus | Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Rodriguez all RBId.

Things just weren't meant to be with Rowan. Their contest, rescheduled for February 27 as a single game, was canceled due to weather-related poor field conditions.

At the end of week one, the Lions were 0-2 overall and 0-0 Maryland JUCO.