Eight games. Seven wins. The Gators Baseball squad has come out swinging this season, dominating the diamond with energy, confidence, and skill.
Captain Eddie Mejia has been at the center of it all. According to Mejia, the team’s biggest reason for their success is their ability to “constantly show up, again and again, playing as a team.” Beyond showing up, he added that this team is “fortunate enough to have guys who are willing to win.”
While only one man bats at a time, this team has embraced a team-first mentality with players who “put their ego aside,” Mejia said. Instead of focusing on individual success, the players have committed themselves to one another, and it’s safe to say that it’s paying off.
While the team is set on its goal of winning games, they haven’t forgotten to have fun while doing so. Mejia highlighted the high energy in the dugout, saying that “when you have fun and work hard, the game rewards you.”
While they are off to an incredible start, they are far from finished. The Gators have high expectations for the season and playoffs, and will continue to strive for these goals until they are completed. Away from the diamond, the work in practice is just as sharp. Everyone has a role to play. Everyone has something to improve. Whether it’s a pitch, a swing, or setting up the cages, everything is intentional to make sure the team is prepared for the next game.
There’s always room for improvement, and Mejia made sure to note that this team will need to get better to reach their goals. He said that the team hasn’t dealt with adversity very well, and that they “feel sorry for [themselves] too much.” The Gators picked up their first loss of the season on April 23rd with a crushing 14-2 defeat to Hunter College High School. “If we get punched, we have to punch back harder right away,” Mejia said.
When this team punches, however, they have been knockout performers. In their 8 wins, the Gators have outscored their opponents by 50 runs (60-10), including a bounce-back win on April 29th against LaGuardia High School.
For Captain Eddie Mejia, there’s unfinished work in his last year. Mejia cited his “stacked” team from when he was a freshman, saying they fell short by getting “too cocky” in critical moments. That cocky attitude will not fly this year as the Gators look to rewrite the script. “We have good players, we’re a family, and we’re just looking forward to winning it all.”
Eight games in, and this team isn’t slowing down. In the wise words of Mejia, “it doesn’t matter if you know baseball, come touch some grass, vibe, and support your players,” because right now, this team is worth watching.
