LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa.-With the Lincoln University baseball team ending their season on Thursday against East Stroudsburg University, it was a special, albeit bitter sweet moment for senior pitcher Peter Reyes (Bronx, NY/Enviornmental Studies). Playing his final collegiate game, he experienced a moment that will be ingrained in his memory when his playing days are long gone.
With one out remaining, and upon approaching the plate for his last at bat in the orange and blue, head coach Anthony Pla and Reyes shared a special moment as the two embraced. Player and coach shared something that only the two can understand.
“Coach basically said good job and I hope you enjoyed playing the game,” Reyes said reflecting on the moment. “I was more shocked than emotional that it was my last game.”
Ending the season at a 4-23 mark, Reyes is proud of the way his younger teammates performed and improved throughout the year. As the lone senior on the squad, he is content with knowing that he helped lay the foundations with the team's transition into Division II.
“This year it was not as tough as it has been in years past,” Reyes said. “We as a team came into the season with a different mind set. We did lose games that we were winning, but we could not finish and close out games. We should learn from our mistakes and we will be a better team in the future.”
Reyes did have his shining moment on March 28. Facing Saint Augustine's College, then the number four ranked team in the black college baseball Division II/NAIA poll, he held them hitless through five innings. He finished his spectacular outing pitching a complete game. The Bronx, NY native allowed three hits and two runs (neither was allowed), and walked and struck out seven.
Pla not only noted this as one of the better performances in the school's history, but the biggest win for the program. Now that the season is over, Reyes is able to reflect on this special day.
“I had pitched against them during our opening day,” Reyes said. “I started out strong but struggled against them. I wanted to come back with a strong performance. I will always be happy for that moment. I enjoyed it and could not have pitched that game without my teammates.”
The acknowledgement of his teammates is exemplary of the type of player and individual that Reyes is. The Lincoln baseball program will surely miss the character that he brings in and out of the locker room. For Reyes, his love for the game and Lincoln baseball will never die. He already has plans for summer league baseball once school lets out.
“I remember the first day arriving at Lincoln,” Reyes said. “It was quick, but I enjoyed being here and playing baseball. I was just having fun playing baseball, the game that I love.”
Game Notes
It was a special afternoon on Thursday for freshman Willie Bynes (Phiadelphia PA/William Penn) as well. He collected his first hit of his college career.
