TAME | BB | Dominican Republic - Recap 4

12/14/2023 6:42:00 PM

The ETBU Baseball team started Wednesday, their fourth day in the DR, with a game against the Dominican Republic Air Force team in Santa Domingo. The Tigers struck first, scoring one run in the top of the second. Brett Wagner singled and later score on a sacrifice fly by Hunter Rumachik. Starting pitcher Sayers Collins pitched four scoreless innings in his first appearance of the week.

In the top of the sixth, ETBU added another run after Jacob Evangelista tripled and score on a RBI single by Wagner. The Air Force finally got on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning scoring three runs and taking a 3-2 lead.

The Tigers responded in the bottom of the eighth to retake the lead with a two-run homerun off the bat of Connor Massimini, scoring Evangelista, making the score 4-3. In the bottom of the eighth, the DR Air Force team retook the lead 5-4, on a two-run homerun and were able to strand a Tiger in the ninth to secure the 5-4 win.

Today was a very different pace compared to the recent days we have had this week. When we first arrived to the field in the morning, we were fortunate enough to get to see a couple of kids working to achieve the goal we all want to achieve. They were getting to try out in front of scouts from various professional programs from around the MLB. It was such an amazing and eye-opening thing to witness, seeing how relaxed and calm they were with all this pressure they have in their baseball careers at such a young age.

CONNOR MASSIMINI | SO. | FORT WORTH, TEXAS

After that, we then played a game against the Dominican Air Force Academy, which was definitely one of the more organized, mature teams we have been able to compete against this week. As we unfortunately lost 5-4, it was a very cool experience knowing we played hard against a team full of mature, organized, and of course, very talented players. After the game we were able to have some down time, go to the beach, and hangout with the team, getting some much needed rest from the long week.

We then went to a Dominican Winter League Game in San Pedro, which was by far one of the coolest experiences I have ever got to witness as a baseball fan. Seeing the city come together to support their team, and watch their favorite players play was tremendous. Their announcers, music, food, all very different than America, and I think much more engaging and fun, as a fan of the game. .”

One thing I have really been able to take away from this week was just the pure gratitude, appreciation and respect not only the adults, but the kids of this country show. From baseball, to around the hotel, to the city.

CONNOR MASSIMINI

Massimini finishes with, "People treat people with respect and are extremely thankful for everything they have. I admire that about this community and country, as we tend to lose sight of the small things, and seeing how appreciative everyone is for even the smallest of things, it really gives me a new thought of mind. I have learned so much, and am forever thankful for the coolest opportunities, and exploring a country I have never thought I would have been able to come to, playing the game that so many love.”

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