University of Massachusetts Boston Baseball is back in action as the calendar turns to Spring. Last season, under the reigns of Head Coach Brendan Eygabroat, the Beacons had one of their best seasons in the history of the program. In the 2015 calendar year, UMass Boston Baseball posted their second best overall, and best ever conference record in the entire history of the program. Overall: 23-15. Conference: 9-5.
Now, as the Beacons approach their first conference match, Eygabroat’s goal is to rollover last year’s success into the 2016 campaign. “We had a great year last season,” said the 12th year coach. “The team has its sights on improving our record from last season. It will be difficult, but we do have the ability.”
Repeating last year’s success will be a bit of a reach this season. Last year the Beacons graduated eight seniors that played vital roles on the team and the team only returned three of their eight juniors: Nagle, Dupre, and Consiglio. While these three athletes are important pieces to the puzzle, it doesn’t negate the fact that the team lost 13 crucial team members.
Despite loss of experienced players, Eygabroat managed to bring in a deep pool of young talent. This season’s squad has 18 new freshman on the team. While these players are inexperienced, many are extremely talented recruits, including an LEC Rookie of the Week, left-handed Pitcher JT Morin. Having said that, in order to achieve this year’s team goals, the Beacons need to win now with a roster of only six upperclassmen. While this is an extremely difficult feat, Eygabroat is the perfect man for the job.
In 12 seasons as the skipper, Eygabroat has only posted three seasons with a conference record below 500 (one in his first season). The most recent was in the 2012 season where Eygabroat posted an overall record of 18-22-1 and a conference record of 6-8. Eygabroat rarely has losing seasons, regardless of the talent on his roster. Thus far this season, the Beacons have posted a .500 winning percentage in the first 10 games of the year. The Beacons are now 5-5 overall, but have not played a single conference match.
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What’s to be expected moving forward?
April 2, at Eastern Connecticut State University, marks the first Little East Conference match for the Beacons. Despite the young roster, Eygabroat scheduled the season to foster strong development within his young players prior to LEC play. From March 10-17 the Beacons baseball program took part in an invitational tournament, the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. The tournament provides both a “bonding experience” for the team as well as experience in a collegiate tournament setting.
“We have taken part in a few different tournaments down in Florida,” said Eygabroat. “In an early part of the season it gives the coaching staff a chance to evaluate the players. It’s a good bonding experience for the boys and it gives them some real game reps.”
Following the tournament, the Beacons have seven more matches to prepare them for LEC play. These matches against local Massachusetts colleges will be a better predictor of what’s to come the rest of the year. Overall, if the Beacons expect to make any noise this year, the ruckus needs to start in early April. Hopefully, Eygabroat can tool the roster with skills needed to excel within the Little East Conference.