A winning baseball season for Old Dominion and 鈥榙esire to get better鈥�
NORFOLK, Va. — Led by coaches Chris Finwood, Mike Marron and Logan Robbins, the baseball team at Old Dominion University (ODU) boasted a 28-10 win-loss ratio at the end of April. Adding to the team鈥檚 success is the leadership of senior captains Tommy Bell, Matt Coutney, Brett Smith, Tommy Gertner and Jason Hartline. The men want to finish their college playing careers having not only grown as players themselves but also having helped their fellow players to improve. As a result, the younger players work hard to prove themselves as capable of taking on the mantle the seniors will soon leave behind.
Indeed, the ODU team roster holds quite a few older players, which they refer to as the veterans. The team benefits from the veterans鈥� extensive experience, and their confidence and level headedness put the younger players at ease in tough situations. Player Andrea Dalatri said, 鈥淥dds are that most of the guys have gone through it before.鈥� The seniors are the calming force, keeping everyone focused, confident and ready to fight for every win.
Team bonding is crucial to the success of any sports team, and the ODU team has prioritized fellowship within and outside of baseball. They spend hours a day practicing and get to hang out together frequently in the locker room, at dinners and at players鈥� homes. 鈥淚 would say I enjoy just the overall camaraderie that we have as a team,鈥� said Bell. The veterans take their positions as role models seriously and make sure to include the new players in bonding activities as they will be leading the team in a few years.
Through a combination of their constant work, game strategy and humble nature, the ODU team is an unstoppable force. The players take the field prepared for anything, treating each team they play as the fiercest challenge they may face. Post game, they may spend the evening celebrating together with dinner, but the next day, they are back on the field setting their sights on their next opponent.
The veterans put a lot of effort into bettering themselves in order to leave a legacy their teammates will be proud of. Most recently, senior Matt Coutney broke the ODU single season home record with 21 home runs and is simultaneously leading the nation in college baseball homeruns. In addition, fellow senior Andy Garriola set a career home run record this season of 38 home runs.
The team aims to finish their season with a Conference USA title and potentially a spot in the College World Series in mid June. With the veterans as guides and the team鈥檚 brotherhood and perseverance as powerful resources, the odds seem to be in their favor. Bell said, 鈥淲e all genuinely enjoy working every day to reach our goals. Our greatest strength is our desire to get better.鈥�
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