Near the end of the 2015-2016 season t
he Cougars were losing more games than they were winning,
and were at the bottom of the CCAC division. Despite the season drawing to a close and the team not performing the way they wanted, the team showed that they had the talent.
One of the key players for the team was a junior catcher by the name of Ryan Pellack. Palleck added consistent performances and steady play that ultimately ended up leading SXU to some of most of its victories. At the end, April leading on towards May, SXU stood at a record 15-18 and were 8th in the CCAC division.
To keep it bleak, things looked grim for the Cougars at this time, but something happened. The team started to win, and not only did they win one or two here or there, but they went on consistent win streaks. At the beginning of May, SXU was standing at a record of 26-24 and had rose to second in the CCAC division.
The pieces started to come together, and this is thanks in part to then 2nd year coach Rocco Massuto. Coach Massuto took a team that was a defensive liability at the start of the year, to a defensive juggernaut, holding teams to 3 points or less. Not only was the defense flourishing, but offense was also coming together as well.
At the end of the regular season, team chemistry was at an all-time high, and a team that went from bottom of the division finished in the upper echelon of the division ready to do some serious damage in the CCAC tournament. And damage they did as the Cougars bull dozed their way to through the competition and to the title of Chicago Collegiate Athletic Conference champions.
Unfortunately, they were quickly eliminated from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics tournament, but to even make it to that stage was a reward in itself for the team. A team that wasn’t even slated to make it into the playoffs rising to the occasion is a combination of the great coaching, play, and spirit of the SXU Cougars. A spirit that is never broken in the face of adversary.
With all the success of last season, SXU is looking to replicate and improve on it for this season. With the return of coach Massuto, and some key players for the team, all the pieces are in place for them to return to the prominence they held before.
The 2017 season hasn’t started off on the best foot so far. The team has lost all 4 of the games it has competed in so far and all by large margins. Despite the 0-4 start of this season, the 2016 season showed us that should never be overlooked or slept on.
Like Big Sean, if the Cougars lose one they’ll bounce back like 23 did with 45.
For continued recaps and coverage of baseball, keep it locked here at the Xaverite.
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