Baseball | 4/24/2015 6:31:00 PM
BALTIMORE – It'll be a bittersweet weekend for Coppin State baseball seniors Michael Wright, Yayha Muhammed,
William Brown,
Chris Vazquez,
Alejandro Hernandez,
Nathan Pitts and
Jeffrey Fitch. The seven pillars of the Eagle program will play their final games at Joe Cannon Stadium when Coppin State hosts rival Delaware State in a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) series.
The Eagles (3-31-2 overall, 2-16 MEAC) and Hornets (9-25, 8-10) will play a doubleheader Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and wrap the series Sunday with a noon start. It'll be a festive weekend at Cannon Stadium as Coppin State will recognize former players on Saturday as part of Alumni Day. Then on Sunday, Wright, Muhammed, Brown, Vazquez, Hernandez, Pitts and Fitch will be honored and recognized for their dedication to the CSU baseball program during a Senior Day celebration.
The season hasn't gone as planned for Coppin State, who will be a spectator when the MEAC playoffs begin next month. The senior class had higher expectations for their final season on North Avenue. However, they have led by example throughout the season by working hard, encouraging their younger teammates and playing hard during every play.
"The seniors have all been very instrumental this season in keeping the morale of the guys positive during what has been a disappointing season," Coppin State head coach
Sherman Reed said. "Their maturity and perseverance have really been tested this season and I give them much of the credit for the overall strong bond and positive environment that remain in the clubhouse despite this difficult season."
Despite not accomplishing its season goals, the senior class will always hold a special place in Coppin State baseball history.
They were foundation of the success experienced the last two years by the Eagles.
"The 2015 senior class always remain special to me because they trusted the vision I presented to them back in 2011 when we were actively recruiting most of them," Reed said. "They represent my first recruiting class as Head Coach and each played an integral part in the resurgence of our program that seen us reach new heights the past two years with the 30 victories and three conference tournament wins. Their services the past four years have placed the program on solid grounds for the future."
As sophomores they helped Coppin State enjoy Division I's biggest win-loss turnaround by winning 18 games. They also advanced to the MEAC semifinals that season. Last season, the Eagles won a series over Delaware State for the first time in over 20 years and eliminated the Hornets from the MEAC Tournament. They've enjoyed memorable experiences such as playing at Arizona, Auburn and Wofford.
Fitch has produced 57 hits over the last two years while being a consistent threat in the line-up. He hit .311 last season and is batting .293, which is second on the team. Wright had a walk-off single to beat Maryland Eastern Shore in last season's home finale. Maybe that's an omen of good fortune to come this weekend.
Brown has tortured Delaware State throughout his career and had one of Coppin State's biggest hits last season when he drilled a three-run two-out home run in the top of the ninth to beat the Hornets.
Muhammed has given his all on the mound. He has 40 strikeouts this season, which is second on the team. Pitts and Hernandez have been dedicated members of the team and have helped by working hard everyday. Hernandez had two hits against UMBC Wednesday night in Coppin State's last game. Vazquez allowed one run over three innings against Georgetown in his last outing Tuesday night.
"If I had to describe my senior class it would be determined, resolute, loyal, and resilient," Reed said. "While they will be exiting the program in a couple of weeks, I expect them to remain in close contact with the Eagles Baseball Program moving forward. Each positively contributed to leaving the program in far better shape than it was upon their arrival in the fall of 2011 and we will miss each of them."
