Sophomore Noah Glimcher delivers a heater. (Sarah Neltner’20/Media staff)
The CA baseball squad won four out of five games to finish the regular season, and the Vikings seem to have caught fire just in time for the tournament.
Academy kicked off its week at Whitehall on Monday, April 30. Finally playing in good weather, the boys snagged a comfortable win, 17-4.
The Vikes clashed with the Rams again on Wednesday, May 2, this time at home. Senior Night ceremonies preceded the contest, as Max Dreisbach, Davis Friedman, Ryan Mitchell, and Matt Saling were honored for their tremendous contributions to the program. Led by the seniors, CA was phenomenal offensively, scoring in double digits again. The Vikings were equally as impressive in the field, with junior Hayden Compton continuing his sensational year on the mound. Academy walked away with an 11-0 victory after perhaps its best all-around performance of the season.
The boys then traveled to Granville on Thursday, May 3. CA was up 1-0 when Friedman stepped into the batter’s box with the bases loaded. With a beautiful swing, he launched a grand slam, giving his team a commanding lead. Despite the Vikings’ strong start, the Blue Aces didn’t quit and instead slowly chipped away at the deficit. Both sophomore Noah Glimcher and Friedman pitched well, but Academy could not hold onto its lead, falling 6-5.
After their game at Jonathan Alder on Friday, May 4 was cancelled, the Vikes rested up for their home doubleheader against Newark Catholic on Saturday, May 5.
Junior Nick Rothmann and Saling took the hill for CA in game one. The Vikings struggled to quiet the Green Wave offense, but Academy’s bats were alive as well. The Vikes ultimately triumphed in the high-scoring affair, pulling out a 14-13 win.
In game two, sophomore Mitch Priest stepped onto the rubber to face his old school. He pitched an incredible game, allowing just one hit and no runs. CA did just enough at the plate and completed the sweep with a 2-0 victory.
The #12 seed Vikings begin postseason play on Tuesday, May 8, as they host #15 seed Utica in the sectional semifinals.
(Staff note: I would like to thank all of my readers for the past three years. I’ve had a lot of fun writing for the sports team and am going to miss it tremendously. I want to leave you all with one last note: “a team is an it.”)
