The Augustana Vikings baseball team saw their first losses of their season against North Central on Saturday, March 20 at home. The team was hoping for a better outcome to start the CCIW conference games.
Earlier in the week, Augie set up for a double header against Cornell and came out on top with two wins and a shutout in the second game that day.
“After beating Cornell to start our double header, we knew our day wasn’t done and we couldn’t be satisfied with only one win that day,” said senior pitcher Josh Chamberlain. “I didn’t expect to get a shutout that second game, but with the skilled players we have and the confidence and energy that we bring to every game, things like that come naturally.”
The Vikings could only celebrate their wins for so long before having to prepare for their next games against an intense competitor, North Central.
“The CCIW is an extremely competitive baseball conference, so every single team will be our biggest competitors this year and we have to be ready to give 100 percent effort for every team,” said senior Alec Michaelson. “However, our biggest rival since I have been here is North Central, and that is because it is usually us and them competing for the #1 spot. Now with them being ranked this year we are even more excited to face off against them and prove who the best team is in the CCIW.”
The pressure was running high for this game and everyone could feel it.
First-year pitcher and outfielder, Anthony Bartelson, is new to the program and is working hard with his team to be the best.
“My goal and focus are to improve my pitches and movements. I didn’t really work on it in high school as much as I do now,” Bartelson said. “Every aspect of how you play matters.”
Prior to this weekend, the Vikings were on the upswing with an astounding 8-0 record, a huge shift from last season’s record of 2-4. Although last season had been shortened due to COVID-19 regulations, it was all the more reason for the program to be eager to prove themselves this year.
Michaelson, a starting and relief pitcher who spent over three years with the program, talked about the motivation between teammates that keeps the fire going.
“After our last year being cancelled, we came to the realization that we can’t take anything for granted, and in a way it fired up all of the current seniors and juniors. With that being said, there has also been a big culture change in our program. Everyone pushes each other to their fullest potential and promotes positivity all around,” Michaelson said.
Team culture, an aspect that can make or break a team, is something that is incredibly hard to get right, especially if important roles in the group are contributing primarily negative energy.
“We really have an emphasis of this being our team and try to keep a relaxed atmosphere, but yet keep a high energy at all times. Furthermore, we have had a lot of underclassmen step-up and become key contributors to our success” Michaelson said.
Although the Vikings fell short of their expectations this weekend, it has only boosted their fight even more, ready to take on the rest of the CCIW and hopefully come out with the title.
“I have never felt such a strong connection with this team out of the past four years playing here, for each class has each other’s back,” Michaelson said. “And for once I can say that this team is not just a team but a family more than anything.”
Photo Above: Senior Sam Cregan pitches during the Viking’s doubleheader vs. North Central on March 21st, 2021 at Bruner Field. The Vikings lost both games 2-6 and 2-13. Photos provided by senior Jacob Leffel.