Covering UMHB Athletics and the stories behind the score
BELTON- The final season for UMHB baseball’s five graduating seniors did not go as planned. But then again, the four years that Rahul Champanerni, Alex Palczewski, Robert McCall, Russell Valada, and Zack Honey spent with the Cru did not play out as they were projected to.
Losing a decisive series finale is not the most enjoyable lesson, but can reveal the character of a team. For UMHB head coach Mike Stawski and the Cru, Saturday’s series finale will have a pivotal influence in the way they approach the final two weeks of the regular season.
UMHB baseball took care of business in Abilene, and seeks to carry that momentum into battles with Southwestern and UTD in the coming week. Here’s a look at the mentality of the team and what’s changed as UMHB has won 3 of its last 4.
BELTON- For the second straight week, the UMHB baseball team entered a Tuesday night non-conference game against an opponent with national notoriety. And once again, the Cru was victorious.
The 2023 season for UMHB baseball begins on Friday afternoon in Austin, and entering a season with higher expectations, the Crusaders are ready. Here’s what head coach Mike Stawski had to say prior to the season opener.
MARSHALL, Texas- They took on a valiant fight, a fight no Crusader baseball team had taken on before, and while in the end, it ended in a loss, what this year’s UMHB baseball team accomplished will set a standard for years to come.
BELTON- There are times when moments in sports seem to play out in exactly the way they should happen.
In the ninth inning of Saturday’s regular season finale against Howard Payne, Cayden Musgrove was called on to pitch. It was not an opportunity he had been expecting. After all, the Arizona native had gone 39 games without seeing the field. But in the final inning of the last home game of the 2022 season, UMHB head coach Mike Stawski decided to change that.
ALPINE, Texas- Rahul Champaneri has experienced ups and downs through his return to the mound in 2022. But Saturday’s performance was certainly one to remember.
BELTON- There was a point in Tuesday’s duel with No. 16 Trinity that Mike Stawski sensed something special was taking place in his dugout.
In the past, the Crusaders had entered the two annual non-conference matchups with the Tigers hoping they might win. But on Tuesday night, that changed. Now, UMHB believed it would win.
BELTON- It seems there is no better way to begin a season than against a rival. Because on Saturday afternoon, the UMHB baseball team performed at a remarkably-high level, defeating Hardin-Simmons in Belton, and earning a 2-1 series victory to begin the 2022 schedule.