The 2023 season couldn’t have started off on a better note for the Mules, who secured two comfortable victories on home turf this past Sunday in a doubleheader against the University of Maine, Presque Isle (UMPI). This season opener mirrored that from the 2022 campaign. Last year, Colby hosted UMPI on the opening day of the season, taking the first game by a score of 6–0 and the second 11–2.
The Mules once again began their season by dominating the Owls, this year securing the first game 18–2 and the second game 21–0 in commanding fashion.
In the first game, Colby jumped to a quick 5–0 lead in the first inning. A combination of efficient hitting and pitching facilitated the Mules’ lead within the first few innings.
The fourth inning essentially wiped out any hope UMPI had of mounting a comeback, as the Mules rattled off nine runs and extended their lead to sixteen points.
UMPI was able to get on the board once in the fifth inning and again in the seventh and final innings but was unable to get any real momentum going as the Mules continued to dominate.
Standout hitters for the Mules in game one included Clint Flippo `25 and Cole Palmeri `24, who had four and three runs, respectively. Flippo went 4–4 and had three runs batted in (RBIs), and Palmeri went 3–4, notably hitting a 3-run homer in the fourth inning, and had a total of five RBIs.
Starting pitcher for Colby, Nicholas Thompson `24, pitched four scoreless innings, striking out seven and allowing only one hit.
After taking the first inning, the Mules ran away with the second game of the doubleheader, not allowing a single run and completing the sweep of the Owls.
Flippo continued to shine at the plate, securing his second triple on the day and collecting two more RBIs. Brady O’Brien `24 tallied four RBIs as well as a 3-run home run in the fourth inning.
Eleven different Colby players registered at least one RBI, and five Mules successfully stole a base. The Colby pitchers also excelled, allowing only one hit over seven innings.
After a dazzling performance on day one, the Mules will be feeling confident ahead of their upcoming season. Last year, Colby baseball reached its first NESCAC tournament in program history. With many core players returning to the team this year, the Mules will be ready to make another push for a conference championship.
Colby baseball will be back in action this Saturday in Troy, New York to take on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in yet another doubleheader, with the first game starting at 12 p.m., followed by a second at 3:30 p.m.
~ Mason Groves ’23
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