The Polytechnic Pitchforks have become more than a team just listed on paper as they prepare for the season. How does the team look?
This past Sunday, the Polytechnic Pitchforks had taken the field at Espee Park in Chandler, Arizona. With a 2 p.m. start, the desert heat was a key factor of play and in this case, so were the Pitbulls—the Pitbulls are a local team in the Arizona Adult Baseball League (AABL).
Freshman Luis Vasquez had a rough outing to start, giving up seven runs in the first inning. Mid-inning, with only one out, he had been replaced. Polytech responded with only one run. The Pitchforks would then, over the course of a few innings, narrow the gap.
Senior Tim Singh had relieved Vasquez of the major deficit at the mound. Thereon, he had given the Pitchforks a chance to keep it close; Singh also went 2-2 at the plate. As the game progressed though, there were numerous occasions on both ends where wild pitches and fielding errors would account for the runs scored. This had been the equalizer through the rest of the game. However, many runs Polytech would rack up that inning, the Pitbulls would mirror.
With a first inning deficit being too big of a lead, the Polytechnic Pitchforks fell to the Pitbulls, 17-9.
“We looked a little iffy…,” says Singh, an Engineering major. “…but I’m not concerned. We’re more than capable to tear it up in this league.”
The Pitchfork’s offense had been in sync, producing a consistent amount of runs each inning until drifting off late. This scrimmage had showed strength at the plate, not the mound. The team had used four pitchers throughout all seven innings of play, head coach David LaCilento being one of them; there was a lack of players considering Thanksgiving break.
“We’re still recovering from that turkey coma,” LaCilento said jokingly. “The first inning killed us. You can call this a heartbreaker. Athletically we’re better than them but it’s just getting back into it.”
As the season approaches, the team cannot afford the two-week breaks. According to LaCilento, they will do “nothing but practice.”
“Yeah, we’re a little rough…” LaCilento admitted.
The Polytechnic Pitchforks, given their lack of players for this game, need to practice in order to produce. They carry heavy bats and all-around have potential; they have athletes. Although Vasquez claimed that “everyone has a bad day” and that this was one of his, the pitching rotation needs to be solid. The pitchers must throw for contact to force routine plays as well as stay away from any wild pitches.
LaCilento said that the pitching was “uncharacteristic” of what it usually is, but only future performances— when it matters— will tell.
With it still being early, Polytech has time to figure themselves out and wake up out of that coma. With practice in all departments—fielding, hitting and pitching—the team can bring the heat hotter than the sun.
Have any input? E-mail me at bcapria@asu.edu.
