As baseball playoffs approach, there is some uncertainty over whether or not the Lancers will be attending and competing.
The team currently holds a one-game winning streak after games against Azusa Pacific University April 13-15. The Lancers’ current
record for 2017 is 27-15 overall, holding an 18-10 record in the PacWest Conference.
Gary Adcock, head coach, said advancing to playoffs is a goal that requires focusing on one game at a time.
“With the last four series, we are just trying to stay on a single game focus theme. Sometimes when we get away from the simple approach we have struggled,” Adcock said.
Adcock also said the team will only reach this if they are able to keep things simple.
“(We will only achieve making it to playoffs if we) believe, do what we do, be great teammates and play the game, not the opponent,” said Adcock.
Ryan Williams, junior kinesiology major and outfielder, said in order to make it to playoffs, the team needs to have faith and put its best foot forward.
“The goal to reaching playoffs is how it has been all season winning one game at a time,” Williams said. “We have a single-game approach so we can better focus and not overlook or underlook any team. We need to respect each opponent and give it our all every game.”
Williams also said injuries and trying to remain healthy have been a huge component while training for playoffs.
“We are specifically working on overcoming a hard loss to the team, a relief pitcher who quit and a couple more injuries,” Williams said. “One is a starting pitcher the other is a power hitter Tommy Bell (senior outfielder and communications major) who is still working
through a broken finger, but is giving it all he’s got to get a couple swings for us as he was able to this past weekend.”
Furthermore, Williams said the overall goal is not making it to playoffs but shooting for a national title.
“We plan on making playoffs – we still have a good shot – and thus are still hopeful to attain a national championship,” Williams said. “We have one more year until we have to wait five years before even being able to go to playoffs due to the jump up to Division I. After this year, we are still going for a national title.”
The team still has a couple games before postseason spots are determined. If they qualify, the Lancers will attend West Regionals May 18-22.
The team hosted its last home series of the season against University of Hawaii at Hilo, sweeping the series 3-0. The Lancers will ride the wave to Irvine, Calif., to face Concordia University Irvine May 5.
