The Year of Redemption: CHC Baseball ‘Pounds the Rock’ in 2018
As 2018 rolls into its second month, Chestnut Hill College Baseball is ranked third in the South Division of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Preseason Polls.
Head Coach Bob Spratt and the Griffins plan to take the CACC crown by remaining steadfast to the slogan, “Pound the Rock.” The phrase, adopted by the team, places value in the idea of constant perseverance in the face of obstacles. Now in the 11th season under Spratt, the program has made strides towards success including two championship appearances in the last three years. The most recent came in 2017 which ended in a loss to Dominican College.
Before his squad hits the field, Spratt has a renewed focus during practices throughout the offseason. “We’re really putting a big emphasis on winning every pitch,” he said. “Implementing the same approach everyday and paying close attention to the details is what we strive for.”
After a snow-plagued 2017 season, divisional play was pushed to 2018. Unlike last season, teams will endure a 45 game schedule with three double-headers in one week including a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday. In a jam-packed season such as this, Spratt’s meticulous mindset can go a long way.
This regimented sense of perfection does not only pertain to the performance on the field, but also within the manager himself. “After last year’s loss, I realized that I need to do a better job managing our energy and coming up with a better plan,” Spratt said. “It all starts with me and I believe that if I have a more efficient plan, we’ll be in a great position to win.”
In a stacked lineup that includes senior first basemen Matt Owens (.261/.363/.346), 2017 All-CACC Second Team selection and senior shortstop Alec Craig (.315/.462/.413) and junior catcher Eric Gilham (.316/.401/.390), there is an underclassmen that can be a huge difference.
“Ameir Uzzell is a dynamic player that offers a lot,” Spratt said. “He is starting to hit the ball with a lot more power and that’ll only help his play.”
After 13 plate appearances in 40 regular season games during his freshmen season, Uzzell earned the starting job at second base in the first game of the playoffs against Bloomfield College. With a new role in his sophomore year, Uzzell keeps a level-head and a simple mentality: the human embodiment of their mantra.
“All I have to do to help us succeed is get on base and let the heavy hitters drive me in,” Uzzell said. “Playing with intensity and heart is my utmost priority.”
Although the past has been filled with shortcomings and near misses at capturing the program’s first conference title, a ball-club filled with the winningest senior class in history and other supporting characters has the ability to achieve the ultimate prize.
“These guys know what it takes to get to the big game so it doesn’t take much to motivate them,” Spratt said. “It’s time to go out and take what’s ours.”
