Head coach Mike Ferris’s baseball team is finally back on its feet after a tough start of losses and disappointment.

After losing fifteen consecutive games, the Gators were ready to turn things around and start winning. The past three games have been all the men needed to pick up their momentum and pick up some W’s, boosting their record to 3-15.

The end of March was the start of the Gators’ record turnaround.

The first game of the Denison University doubleheader was scoreless until the top of the third inning when Brian Schmidt, ’08, singled, giving Jimmy Fernandez, ’07, the chance to score.

Playing off the momentum of the previous batter, Matt Young, ’08, hit a three-run blast homerun, allowing himself as well as Schmidt and Eric Rich, ’08, to run home.

The action-packed third inning was enough to maintain a 4-3 lead and give the Gators their first win of the season.

The team’s April Fool’s Day game was no joke, beating Big Red again with their 10-9 victory.

Contributing to these runs were sophomore Zach Skowvron, ’09, scoring five, and Jimmy Fernandez, doubling home himself and freshman Joe Jurinko. Eric Rich and sophomore Steve Beckett both tallied up runs, bringing the Gators to a 10-7 lead by the end of the sixth inning.

Momentum continued into the week when the Gators battled the Fighting Muskies of Muskingum College, claiming a 3-2 victory.

With a single and stolen base from Rich, the doubleheader was off to a winning start. Starting pitcher Pete Osbourn, ’08, held the Muskies scoreless for three innings while Beckett and Schmidt later picked up runs to add to the Gators’ third win.

Freshman Justin Abbott is confident in his team’s new found success.

“I think we have learned how to win,” Abbott said. “We have been practicing a lot harder and have solidified some clutch pitching and hitting skills. It was a struggle early on. After spring break we were still playing tough teams but we learned how to play against higher competition. We are a young team and have been trying our best to rise to the challenge of these more experienced teams.”

As for team morale, losses have not brought the players down.

Freshman Brandon Makjowski can see the dedication and persistence of his teammates at practice.

“We are all working together.” Makjowski said. “We are working harder to make fewer errors and keep a positive attitude around the field. The team is coming together with a new confidence that can be seen in players and coaches alike.”

Were these victories just a fluke or are the Gators really coming back?

“The only way to find out is to keep winning,” Makjowski said.