Your Fighting Diplomats returned home from California a bit tired and achy as their 10 games over the week pushed them and left a few with some aches and pains. But a young Fighting Diplomat needs a challenge they say and after one day home a fresh challenge in the face of the growling Bears of Ursinus was slated to face them as they begin the Centennial Conference schedule.
But our young fighters came out of the blocks slowly and found themselves down 1-0 with the bases loaded in the third when the Bears blasted one of the fence and into the softball field at Caplan Field. By way of background,JD Salinger was once a freshman at Ursinus but JD did not get to the second semester. Some reports had it he got cut from the baseball team and couldn't bear the second semester while others offer that it served as material for Holden Caufield who you might recall began Catcher in the Rye as a student kicked out of school. Anyway, the Bears jumped up 5-0 and held serve leaving the Diplomats depressed at their 0-1start in conference play. The Fighting Diplomats had an intra squad scrimmage the next day which went poorly and Coach Walkenbach was heard to express his chagrin at the teams energy. Given the day off Thursday, your Fighting Diplomats were already feeling they were in "Must Win" territory going into the rematch with the vaunted bears up in at Ursinus. Who is gonna pitch the players asked themselves as the California trip produced more questions on the mound than answers.
As the players prepared on Friday they learned that senior Matt Kalos was getting the pitching nod. Matt had yet to win a conference game in his 3 seasons although he had thrown pretty well in California. And this selection proved to be a savvy one as he threw the game of his career shutting down the Bear attack and leading the Fighting Diplomats to a 6-2 win. Big Win for the Fighting Diplomats and their confidence was restored.
The bus ride home was for concentration on the next days opponent: the Mules of Muhlenburg. In the previous season this opponent was weak but was rumored to have significantly strengthened their roster for this season.
The next day the 40 degree temperature was augmented by strong winds and the freezing witnesses learned early to bundle up for the twin bill. Muhlenburg started early with a base hit up the middle for the leadoff hitter but the defense handled the next three and the Fighting Diplomats approached to their raps. The Muhlenburg rookie pitcher walked the leadoff hitter. Experienced readers by now know the baseball gods just hate the leadoff walk and are determined to punish offenders. Some suggest it is the burlap tunics , circa 1042 AD that the baseball gods wear and are very scratchy and uncomfortable which may explain why the baseball gods are so irritable and unforgiving. It may also be that they are just plain nasty. Anyway after the leadoff walk, 3 consecutive base hits followed and your Fighting Diplomats had the early 3-0 lead. This lead held until the 7th when the Mules pieced together a few hits to rally and tie the game at 7. But the Fighting Diplomats subsequently scored three of their own to lead again . Going into the 9th the Diplomats has a 3 run lead which they narrowly held and the Diplomats secured the win.
The second game of the double-header noted the resurgence of Brad Andres, who a had struggled quite a bit in California.But the cold seemed to agree with him and thru 7 he had a no hitter! have a day Brad and welcome back!
Brad gave up a legitimate single in the 8th but that was all and the Diplomats had a 5-0 win to run the win streak to 3. The team played with more confidence as the game wore on and were showing signs of spirit as well
On Sunday the team journeyed to reading to face the Albright Lions in a non conference event. Perhaps the Lions might have been more aptly named the Albright "Ideas".
I wondered is Albright the description of the student body - or perhaps the criteria for admission? Either way the Diplomats handled them easily and won 16-6 running their streak to 4 .
This week your Fighting Diplomats journey to Haverford to take on the Fords ( is this a ridiculous mascot or what?) the best they could come up with is the Fords? are they wading rivers down there?? driving old cars ?? after two games with the Fords the Swarthmore team, historically weak, serves as the Saturday opponent. The team is looking to sweep and gear up for next weeks efforts against the Bullets of Gettysburg ( now that is a good name and as a small trivia quiz> how many civilians died in the 4 days of the Gettysburg battle? answer below) and the top ranked Blue Jays of John Hopkins which shapes up to be the big games of the season. A word about the Blue Jays--those games will be down in Baltimore and will be the games both teams are pointing to play. The Blue Jays play with a swagger are cocky, boisterous, and arrogant ( aptly named Blue Jays i suspect). They are talented but the Fighting Diplomats swept them last year during the season but lost to the Jays in the conference playoffs. This shapes up to be the battle of the season and enthusiasts are encouraged to make their plans now.
As a second bonus you can see some short video clips on You Tube of your Fighting Diplomats to see them go to www.youtube.com and then for search input "amherst23" there are 8 short videos there
answer: Jennie Wade was the only civilian to die at Gettsyburg- a stray bullet killed her in her house
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