The St. Joe’s baseball team shut out St. Bonaventure University 18-0, 9-6, and 5-3 last weekend in a three game away series that concluded regular season play for the Hawks.
The Hawks have been one of the top offensive teams in the country throughout the 2022 season. They are currently ranked 19th in the country in batting average and 33rd in total hits among 299 other Division I teams.
Head Coach Fritz Hamburg, who is in his 14th season at St. Joe’s, said he believes the team’s experience has been a large reason for its success at the plate.
“We have so much back from last year and the experience has really helped us,” Hamburg said. “We’re a year older and stronger and so when you tie all of those things together, I think up and down the lineup we’re pretty darn experienced and strong.”
One player who has been a constant in the lineup is fifth year centerfielder Brendan Hueth. Hueth has been a starter since his first year season in 2018 and has led the team in hits in multiple seasons, including this one. Hueth said he has watched the team improve each year.
“There has definitely been an upward trend over the past couple of years, and you can see that with our numbers,” Hueth said. “Guys are getting older, more mature, and it’s really cool that we are seeing these results.”
According to Hueth, the team’s hard work is another key to setting the team up for success..
“Guys continuously show up before practice and stay after to put ourselves in a position to be more successful,” Hueth said.
The Hawks are currently sixth in the Atlantic 10 (A-10) Conference standings and secured their spot in the A-10 championship tournament with a successful series against the Bonnies. St. Joe’s is currently 28-23 overall and 12-11 in the A-10. They are seeded sixth for the start of the A-10 championship and will play third-seeded Saint Louis University in the first round of the tournament.
According to Associate Head Coach Ryan Wheeler, the Hawks are ready for the challenge.
“They’re going to battle and compete no matter who we play, so I am excited to see how we do,” Wheeler said.
A-10 tournament play begins May 24 in Davidson, North Carolina.
