In Head Coach Michael Twardoski's first season, the rookie coach hopes to lead the Eagles back to the NCAA tournament, which the team missed last year after three consecutive trips. Currently ranked 17th in Division III by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, the 27-6 Eagles should earn a berth in the tourney, but as they learned last year, nothing is automatic.
Last season the Eagles finished 30-13, and carried a No. 12 ranking before being bypassed by the NCAA selection committee. Both the men's and women's soccer teams found themselves on the outside looking in this year when the tournament selections were announced.
The baseball team needs a solid finish to prevent a similar end to the season.
He's Back
After missing 10 games with a broken finger, sophomore left fielder Kyle Foster has picked up exactly where he left off. When Foster left the lineup, he was second on the team in batting average. Since his return, he has accumulated eight hits in just four starts, raising his average to .463.
Karnage
With 10 games remaining, senior tri-captain Ted Karniewicz is just eight RBI shy of the team record, which he already holds. In the past two seasons, Karniewicz has finished with 53 RBI, and this year he has a chance to break his own record.
Karniewicz has knocked in 45 runs this season, and if he continues his current pace, he would finish with 59 RBI.
The first baseman already holds numerous career batting records at Emory, including most career hits, doubles, home runs, RBI and total bases.
Vitale's Real Diaper Dandies
Freshmen Michael Sayegh, Brian Ende and Tommy Lee are all currently batting over .300.
After beginning the season on the bench, the three youngsters have relieved the veterans, and are all now seeing significant time. The three have a combined batting average of .333.
Wait 'til Next Year
After leading the team in batting last season with an average of .403, junior outfielder Drew Schwartz has seen his average drop to .266 this season.
Schwartz has batted over .400 for the past two seasons, but it appears that that streak will come to an end this year.
You're Outta Here!
When Twardoski was ejected in the seventh inning of Sunday's first contest against Brewton-Parker, it was the first time in his coaching career that he has been thrown out of a game.
