The Salem State Vikings baseball team got off to a slow start in Florida, posting a 3-5 record while down south, but they have quickly regained focus and momentum since returning to Salem. Since their return the Vikings have posed a 5-3 record to give them an overall standing of 9-8, which puts them right back into the mix. Currently the Vikings hold 6th place in the MASCAC standings, but look to improve their 0-2 conference record on Saturday when they head to Fitchburg State for a league double header.
Sophomore Nelson Castillo started the season out injured but is looking forward to returning to the rotation and helping the team win some games.
"It has been hard sitting and watching, knowing that if I was healthy I could be helping the team," Castillo said, "but it's more important for me to get my arm in great shape so that when I do come back I am 100 percent. We are going to be okay. It's still early and we are all getting used to playing with one another."
Since returning to the mound Castillo has given up three runs in two appearances but has shown he is getting stronger.
Offensively the team is doing very well, five of the starting nine players have batting averages over 300. Senior first baseman Steve Mucci is currently batting .386 with 27 hits, 3 homeruns and 17 runs batted in.
"My approach at the plate has not changed much from last year. I am just trying to take good looks at the plate and connect, so far its working out well," Mucci said.
Mucci, who was very impressive last season, is hoping to continue with his good fortune at the plate as well as junior pitcher/outfielder Joe Galindo who is batting an impressive .322.
This year's Vikings team knows that pitching is the most important aspect; it always is. Without pitching you can't win. Senior catcher Matt Gusdorf of Reston, VA, has stressed that with good pitching you can go a long way.
"We can lose every non-conference game of the season, but as long as we win the conference double-headers on the weekend we will be golden. Pitching is key and we need to be ready to go every Saturday," Gusdorf said.
During the baseball season the MASCAC conference holds its conference games during the weekend. These games are double headers against the same team. It is most important for the Vikings to win Saturday games more than any other.
Since the season began the Vikings have shown a hunger to win, and are hoping to improve their record within the next week. The remainder of the season includes 15 games including numerous conference double headers. The Vikings are looking to improve their record this weekend against Fitchburg State.
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