Hawks to continue historic season at DII World Series
Freshman Pat Morelli threw the final strike into the glove of senior catcher Steve Mannion on April 29 in Purcellville, Va. The two embraced on the pitcher’s mound as their teammates rushed the field and piled atop the duo. In the stands beamed alumni who came to see their fellow Hawks finally accomplish what had eluded them during their time on the team.
After getting knocked out of the regional tournament for the past five years, St. Joe’s club baseball is finally headed to the National Club Baseball Association DII World Series.
“Our goal for as long as I’ve been in school is to win regionals,” said senior captain and player-coach Dan Grandieri. “Our goal this year was to win regionals. There were no little goals, we had one goal and that was kind of it.”
Before the game, the upperclassmen explained to freshman manager Tom Cellucci and the rest of the first-year teammates the significance of the tournament and the history of their heartbreak loses: losing on a walk-off grand slam in 2015, losing on a walk-off home run in 2016 and losing a bitter final against Salisbury University last year.
The freshmen understood what the tournament meant to the seniors. Morelli closed out the game on the mound and Cellucci motivated the players and hyped up the squad as he’s done the entire season.
According to Grandieri, who took Cellucci under his wing, the team has rallied behind their freshman manager. Cellucci, who is in charge of traditional managerial duties like keeping the stat book and assisting with batting practice, has also helped the team do what they do best – play loose, have fun and win.
“Everyone really cherishes their role,” Grandieri said. “Even guys that don’t play, they love being part of the team. I would say we’re definitely more laid back. When we’re kind of doing our thing, having fun, being loose, that’s when we do some damage. [Cellucci] has been awesome for team comradery this year.”
In the regional tournament, Cellucci encouraged senior Will Vigneron, who’s the team’s designated hitter. As he struggled at the beginning of the regional tournament, Cellucci and some of the other teammates told him to keep his head up. “You’ll get ‘em next time” Cellucci, told him. And he did. In the last game of regionals against Temple University he went three for four at bat and drove in three RBI’s to help St. Joe’s win.
Now, the Hawks look towards nationals. The team will head to Pittsburg, Kan. as a #7 seed in the eight team double-elimination tournament which will take place May 18-22. For the first time in club history, they’ll look to make a run in the National Club Baseball Association DII World Series.
Home for summer break, they’ve been staying sharp on their own. But the team prefers to be together. They’ll hold their final practices at St. Joe’s before flying to Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Grandieri is looking forward to having another trip with his teammates.
“It’s just us and we have nothing going on besides just hanging out and playing ball,” Grandieri said. “We all hang out together which is nice; freshman hang out with seniors, sophomores hang out with juniors, sophomores with seniors. So it’s a nice little mix.”
The seniors are looking to close out their playing careers at Hawk Hill on a high. They are also looking to continue to grow the next group of club ball players and the team brotherhood that’s ensued.
“Obviously we’d like to win it.” Grandieri said, adding, “I think it’s also a growth factor for the younger guys. And for the older guys, it’s our last organized baseball for most of us so we just want to go have fun.”
For Cellucci, and the rest of the team, it’s a much appreciated extension to the season.
“Win or lose we all get to be together for a week,” Cellucci said. “They’re all great guys and it’s just a fun atmosphere to be part of. What I’m looking forward to most is getting to hang with the guys for another week.”
