By Kaylyn Pageot

May 2, 2025 was a cloudy Friday with more summer temperatures. Most of us were preparing to enjoy summer break or getting ready to start summer courses. For our baseball team, it was a different story. Players were getting ready by laying out their uniforms, eating hearty breakfasts and getting mentally prepared for the rough game ahead. “I always like to imagine every possible situation mentally. If there is anything about GC baseball, mentally we do everything in our power to leave no room of error in preparing for games during practice.” Louis Berini, a senior second baseman for GC had this to say about his morning routine that day. After mentally and physically preparing themselves, they hit the road towards Asheboro. 

Getting to the field, you feel the excitement as the importance of this game hits you. This game allows you to take one step closer to possibly being conference champions. The last game played was against Pfeiffer and it was a close one, 14-12. Now you are against the third seed in your conference, Brevard College. “The pregame vibes were calm and business-like. We knew we needed to win two games to move on to the next round.” Micheal Richards, a senior right-handed pitcher stated. For his pre-game warm up he “Helped throw the baseballs in during batting practice” while other players, according to Berini, were getting loose and enjoying their moments before the game began. Berini stated, “We try not to treat any game any different, but the juices flow when you are in the tournament.” After pregame warmups and rituals were completed, the game began. 

Due to weather events that probably every athlete has experienced before once in their career, this game was a double header—This meant that two games would be played on the same day to make up for missed ones. “A day I will remember for the rest of my life because we probably had seven hours worth or lightning delays during both of those two games.” Chris Fensiey, game day administrator and head baseball coach stated this during an interview. Despite the difficulties, GC’s baseball team would make the best of their situation and continue to put in an incredible effort. With scores of 8-4 for the first game and 16-5 for the second, the team secured their spot for the opportunity to fight for conference championships. After a 12-hour fight filled with rain, homers, outstanding pitches and, as Coach Fensiey stated, “his mother’s birthday”, they had absolutely destroyed the other team. Needless to say, the team was ecstatic. Richards had this to say about the team’s mood after the game, “The team was ecstatic that we won both games and that we put together our best back-to-back game performance as a team. Everyone understood the importance of each players’ contributions to the two wins, and we now turned our sights to the following weekend.” Now it was time for the championship battle as the team would go head-to-head against Methodist University. 

Now even though we did not win the conference championship, this year has already shown higher hopes for our boys. This year they pulled the number one seed in the preseason polls, and with a roster full of upcoming potential and dependable returners, our chances of bringing home conference championships seem high. “A great feeling for sure. It is a byproduct of the hard work and persistence we have given year in and year out. It is not something that they just give to anybody. But it is temporary. We are going to give it our all and play hard every single day, one day at a time.” Is what Berini had to say after being asked about how he felt pulling the first seed in the preseason polls. Our coaches are also preparing for this season with similar determination. When asked what his feelings are for the upcoming season, Fensiey stated “A lot of those guys are back, which I am excited about. We have another older group this year, which is exciting, so I hope they can just bring those experiences. This group has been through a lot—They have dealt with adversity and I really hope they can just bring those experiences, learn from them and have that taste. Obviously, we did not end up finishing it off last year winning the championship series, so I hope there is a little hunger for that in the game, I know they had it, so I am hoping that we can bring that into this year and hopefully pick up where we left off.” 

To be a part of this incredible experience is what it is like being a baseball player here at Greensboro College. A team that is dedicated to their craft and willing to push through any adversity that comes their way. An amazing coaching staff, powerful returners and new players on the field, this team will be putting on a knockout show this season. You can join the Pride on February 13 at 12 p.m. as we go against Washington and Lee University at McCray Park if you are ready to experience the fire this team packs.