Baseball fighting early-season struggles

By Sophia Oppedisano Editorial Staff The Framingham State baseball team has started their season with a series of non-conference away games. The Rams’ overall record currently stands at 1-12. Their most recent matchups took place on the team’s annual trip to Florida where they faced off against nationwide competition. Spring break did not yield any wins for the Rams as they went 0-9, getting shut out twice. However, the Rams had a positive outing against the Knox College Prairie Fire March 20. After going down 1-0, seniors JC Espinal and Dane Frellick and freshman Massimo Mondi combined for a powerful offensive showing which yielded six runs for the Rams. Frellick finished the game 3-3 with a double and Espinal went 3-5 with three RBIs and a double of his own. Mondi went 2-4 with two stolen bases. Unfortunately, the Prairie Fire rallied to beat the Rams 7-6. The Rams’ first win this season came in their season opener against Emerson College March 6. Senior Cam Prescott earned the start on the mound, only allowing four hits in five innings pitched and earning no runs. Mondi went 3-5 at the plate with four RBIs and a home run while Steven Burbank, a senior, and Rosco Palmer, a freshman, both went 2-3. The Rams bested Emerson 15-2 for the win. Prescott and Mondi were named MASCAC Pitcher and Rookie of the Week, respectively, March 9. Mondi went 4-9 at the plate for that week, earning four RBIs, and three stolen bases. The baseball team has a deep roster this season, half of which is made up of underclassmen talent. Mondi boasts a batting average of .389 already this season and freshman pitcher Keith Ramsey has a 2.57 ERA over 14 total innings pitched. Espinal has also found success early this season as he has posted a .405 batting average over 37 at bats. He is tied for a team-high eight RBIs with Mondi and Frellick. The pitching has been a sore spot for the Rams with even veteran pitchers’ ERAs reaching past 5.00. The pitching staff's combined ERA is 10.74. The Rams will play in their first conference matchups away against the Bridgewater State Bears March 28 and 29. Their first matchup on their home turf is April 5 for a conference doubleheader against the MCLA Trailblazers.