Meramec Magic sharpens its ‘killer instinct’
Joe Ray
– Assistant Online Editor –
Up to this point, STLCC-Meramec Magic baseball is 12-11, with a conference record of 0-2. Coming off back-to-back losses to Jefferson College, the team felt like they just took the day off from Magic baseball, according Magic coach Tony Dattoli.
“In the loss to Jefferson, we just beat ourselves. Talent wise, we haven’t played against a team that is better than us. We need to improve on not making mistakes and quit beating ourselves,” said Magic outfielder Les Smith.
Last year, the Magic exited early in the playoffs and had a roller coaster type year, according to Magic shortstop Gerald Roam. This year is different for the Magic.
This year there are 16 freshmen on the team and Les Smith, who transferred from Louisiana Lafayette. “It was closer to home and I heard great things about Meramec. I love coach Dattoli. He is a great guy and knows a lot about baseball,” Smith said.
Roam and Dattoli believe there is always room for improvement. The biggest thing the Magic conveyed that they needed to improve on is their defense. “That is what really has crippled us for our first 23 games,” Dattoli said.
Roam mentioned it was killer instinct. At times, they would show up with that killer instinct to play the game and other times they would lose that killer instinct and believe that will be a big impact on the how the season progresses.
Every year is a different year for the Magic, with new freshmen and returning players. Many players come and go to four-year universities and there isn’t time for teams to build chemistry.
However, the 2010 Magic has already built chemistry. Roam feels the chemistry is a lot better and that they get along with each other.
“On and off the field, team chemistry is perfect and that’s what you need to win ball games,” Smith said.
The team has shown the tenacity to refuse to lose and mentality to win games. Dattoli feels they are going to be in it and can compete against anyone in the nation and the region. He often preaches to them about striving for perfection and believes they will work everyday to strive to get there.
“When we play together as a team, everyone does what is expected of them, just as a routine. We are a very good team and we are tough to beat,” Dattoli says.
The Magic are starting five to six freshmen on any given day. “They have competed well. If we do what we are suppose to do, compete and come out ready to play no matter who it is, we will be ok,” Dattoli said.
Smith believes it is still early and tells the team not to panic, even from the record they have. He preaches that teams who get hot down the stretch usually are the teams that pull out on top. “As far as improvement, just keep working hard, quit beating ourselves, relax and have fun playing the game of baseball,” Smith said.
