B.B. Trojans baseball begins season with a win
April 3, 2024 at 10:50 p.m.
Ever since finding out their home field was unplayable, the Blind Brook Trojans have been forced to make changes to adapt to their new customs, meaning their new home field. The boys have accepted this new field at Joseph Curtis Recreation Park in Port Chester will change many things, including less attendance at home games, reduced home field advantage, and an unfavorable playing surface. However, head coach Adam Massi has driven home to the players that regardless of what goes on beyond the game regarding the controversy about the turf, they “have a job to do and that is to go out there and win games.”
The Trojans did exactly that on Tuesday, Mar. 26. A few days prior, the coaches made the necessary movements and cuts to finalize the roster and head into opening day with confidence. Northeastern University commit Andrew Rogovic, the star ace now in his senior year for the Trojans, started on the mound to face the North Salem Tigers. Despite a relatively higher pitch count early in the game, Rogovic was able to pick up right where he left off last season, pitching five innings, allowing no hits, no runs, and racking up 14 strikeouts. From there, senior Zach Schneider took over, pitching two innings, allowing one hit, no runs and making six strikeouts.
Freshman Daniel Glantz tags an opposing player sliding into first base in the Trojans’ Monday, Apr. 1 game against Putnam Valley.By Brooke Sosin
The dominant defense was backed up with even better offense. Junior catcher Nick Violino went 2 for 2 batting, with two RBIs. Junior Elliot Zwicker went 1 for 3 with two RBIs, and sophomore Jake Messafi hit a rocket of a double that was just a few feet away from leaving the park for a home run. This hit was the first of many for Messafi.
“It felt amazing to cross out a milestone in my life that I've been waiting to cross since the beginning of my first season playing baseball,” Messafi said later. “Looking up to my brother, who played on varsity since his freshman year, I’ve always looked forward to getting my chance to play for this team, and getting my first hit meant a lot more than just a hit.”
Sophomore Chris Davis fields a ground ball and throws it to first in the Trojans’ Monday, Apr. 1 game against Putnam Valley. Despite superb pitching, Blind Brook lost to the Blue Tigers 2-1.By Brooke Sosin
The 6-0 win over the Tigers got the Trojans the 1-0 start they needed. After an impressive season last year, putting up an average of 6.2 runs per game offensively and only allowing 2.6 per game, the Trojans are well on their way to replicating those numbers.
Sophomore Asher Toll was prepared to take the mound against Pawling on Thursday, Mar. 28 until the rain canceled those plans, resulting in the Pawling game being rescheduled.
The Trojans opened their home schedule on Monday, Apr. 1 versus Putnam Valley, and Rogovic was back on the mound. With multiple MLB scouts in attendance, Rogovic was able to put the pressure aside and have a solid game, pitching 5⅓ innings, only allowing one hit and striking out 11. His pitch speed remained at an impressive 95 miles per hour. Schneider again relieved for an inning, allowing no hits or walks. However, the lack of hitting on the part of the Trojans contributed to a 2-1 loss. Despite Messafi coming up big again with a double, and a big hit from sophomore Chris Davis, the Trojans were not able to get any more runs on the board.
The Trojans recovered after the loss and have a lot to look forward to. They were to play on Wednesday, Apr. 3 at Hastings, although drenching rain threatened that game’s cancellation, and then will host Albertus Magnus and Bronxville on Wednesday, Apr. 10 and Thursday, Apr. 11, both at 4:30 p.m.
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