About The Team
In 2009, the baseball team enjoyed its most successful season in
the program's five-year history, as the Blazers finished with a
school-record 16 regular season victories, earned a share of the
inaugural New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) regular season
title, and were runner-ups in the NECC post-season
championship.
Elms College set new single-season team records in batting average (.302), total hits (305), home runs (12), doubles (61), RBI (183), and stolen bases (75). Junior designated hitter Justin Jacobs (Springhill, FL) was outstanding at the plate, as he posted a team-leading .408 batting average that included three homers, nine doubles, and 25 RBI. For his accomplishments, he was recognized as the NECC's Player of the Year.
A total of seven players batted better than .300 during the regular season, including freshman third baseman Nico Iavicoli (Hampden, MA) (.394), sophomore infielder Hector Roche (Bronx, NY) (.369), freshman shortstop Jonathan Ortiz (Carolina, Puerto Rico) (.349), sophomore outfielder Bob Reyome (Westfield, MA) (.341), sophomore catcher Carmino Bonavita (Springfield, MA) (.333), sophomore second baseman Brendan Cordeiro (Berkley, MA) (.324), and freshman outfielder Zach Cerra (South Windsor, CT) (.318). Ortiz led the Blazers with a school-record five home runs and also added a team-leading 29 RBI, while Iavicoli and Cordeiro, who were both First Team All-NECC selections, combined for 32 stolen bases in 34 attempts.
The Blazers' pitching staff was equally impressive, as sophomore
Matt Wood (Feeding Hills, MA), the NECC's Pitcher
of the Year, had a team leading earned run average (ERA) of
3.54. He tied the school-record with four wins during the
regular season and also became the first player in team-history to
throw a no-hitter. Freshman pitcher Zach LeBarron
(Bennington, VT) finished the year with a team best 4-2
record and 4.69 ERA.
Every year during spring break, the Blazers play eight or more games in Florida against some of the nation's top Division III programs. The team's highly competitive schedule also features games against local opponents Springfield College and Westfield State College. In addition to competing in the NECC, the Blazers are also members of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
MacKenzie Stadium, located in nearby Holyoke, Massachusetts, serves as the Blazers' home field. MacKenzie once served as the home field for the Holyoke Millers professional minor league baseball club, and is one of only two stadium-style baseball facilities located in western Massachusetts. The stadium is fully lighted, providing opportunities for night games.
Directions to MacKenzie Stadium
From I-91 North - take exit 16, bear right onto Route 202. Remain straight through three traffic lights, MacKenzie Stadium at Holyoke High School will be on your right (approximately 3/8 mile from exit).
From I-91 South - take exit 16, bear left onto Route 202. Follow down the hill, under an overpass, through three traffic lights. MacKenzie Stadium at Holyoke High School will be on your right (approximately 1/2 mile from exit).
From I-391 - at the end of 391 in Holyoke is a traffic light. Go straight through the light, another light, then a blinking yellow light. MacKenzie Stadium at Holyoke High School will appear around the bend (on the left), after the basketball courts and parking lot.
From Mass Pike East or West - exit 4 to I-91 North. Take exit 16 off 91, bear right onto Route 202. Remain straight through three traffic lights (approximately 3/8 mile), MacKenzie Stadium at Holyoke High School will be on your right.
From Route 5 North - take a right at the intersection of Routes 5 and 202 at the Yankee Pedlar Inn. Follow through one traffic light, MacKenzie Stadium at Holyoke High School will be on your right.
From Route 5 South - take a left at the intersection of Routes 5 and 202 at the Yankee Pedlar Inn. Follow remaining directions from Route 5 North (see above)
***Parking is available on both sides of
the Stadium***