AMERICA SEGURA
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On Feb. 17, the Islanders Baseball Team had their home season opener in a three-day game series against Bradley University, from Illinois.

 
More than 500 fans watched the series take place at Chapman Field. The Islanders made out with one win from the series. Friday’s game ended in a 10-7 score, after a comeback from the Islanders during the eighth inning.

 
Dalton Stark, junior psychology major and right fielder said, “It’s a thrill, it’s a rush, ready to get things going.”

 
Beginning the inning, Sam Mohofski, junior infielder, took a hit from a pitch, which was followed two walks leaving bases loaded and  no outs for Islanders. This prompted the needed points for the Islanders.

 
“I mean we were down 6-1, found a way to come back and it just shows what kind of team we are,” said David “Itchy” Burts, freshman mechanical engineering major and infielder.

 
“It was a big come-back win, I mean we were down 5-6 runs and then late into the game everyone stood in and fought throughout the whole game,”  Stark said.

 
Feb. 18, the Islanders took on Bradley in a turn of events that led to a 5-9 loss for the Islanders.  Bradley came back and capitalized on 11 free passes and scored nine runs on eight hits.

 
“Bradley is a good team, they’re really good offensively,” Burts said. “They can really swing the bat.”

 
Feb. 19 was the final game of the three-day series. In a close game, the Islanders took a lost against Bradley with a final score of 6-7, giving Bradley victory of the series.

 
“From Saturday and Sunday we learned that every game is going to be a fight. It’s not going to be easy,” said Burts. “You [have to go] out there until the game is over.”

 
Overall, the Islanders hope to regain their focus and push toward victory in the season to come.

 
“I would say our strongest points would be the leadership on the team,” Burts said. “We have a pretty experienced pitching staff and I think that’s going to help us in the long run.”

 
The next home game for the Islanders will take place at Chapman Field against the UT Arlington Mavericks at 6:30 p.m. For the complete season schedule visit goislanders.com. For more recaps this season, keep reading Island Waves or follow us @IslandWavesToGo.