Comets start slow, hope to rebound

Mediocrity is not appealing when dealing with almost any subject, but particularly with regards to athletic teams and win-loss records.

For 19 consecutive seasons the baseball team has been on the outside of the postseason looking in.

“It’s going to take everybody growing up this year (to make the playoffs),” coach Marvin Webb said. “We can do great things this year if everybody gives 100 percent in games and in practice.”

Webb has been coach of the team since 1996.

“We need to execute,” he said.

The 2013 season began on Feb. 1, a 13-0 home loss against Cañada College. Contra Costa College lost its following six games before beating Hartnell College 7-4 on the road. The Comets record stands at 2-8-1 overall with a Bay Valley Conference record of 1-1.

“We made a bunch of mistakes in the beginning of the year,” Webb said.

“We have a bunch of guys who haven’t played much baseball. We have a lot of speed but we’re not really a good hitting team — that cost us.”

Webb said the team would repeatedly leave runners on base because it was unable to make clutch hits, nor successfully bunt.

“(Our problem) was the fundamental stuff,” Webb said. “We are now bunting every day and spending more time with our hitters.”

The Comets are 2-1-1 in their last four outings. Sophomore first baseman Joseph Airoldi said a lack of team chemistry is also among the list of issues that led to early season struggles.

Over the last few games, however, he said the team is improving.

“(The team) is more alive during games,” Airoldi said. “We had to get the feel of the game. (Lately) we’ve brought a lighter environment and have just been having fun playing baseball.”

The Comets’ next contest is a home game against Los Medanos College Thursday at 2 p.m.

Webb said the team’s defense has been an area of improvement lately, and pitching as well, especially with Airoldi’s solid play from the mound.

“Last year I didn’t pitch much,” Airoldi said. “I have never really been a pitcher. But, I like having the control of the ball. If a team has guys on the mound who want the ball — it’s a good thing.”

Airoldi said the team was short on pitchers and he volunteered. The Comets, obviously, want to continue to play better baseball moving deeper into conference play, which began with a 7-1 home loss against Yuba College.

“Joe Airoldi is a first baseman but now he is a starting pitcher,”

Webb said. “I can see him as a four-year college prospect on the mound.”

To play better, pitcher James McReynolds said CCC has to improve, not only physically, but mentally as well.

“We have to work hard and do the right things and work at (improving) them,” he said. “We have to get into the right routine. (We also) need to be confident however, not too confident. We have to do what we do in practice during games and keep our minds focused on the game.”

Webb attests to McReynolds improvement in play.

“McReynolds is improving every time he steps on the field,” Webb said.

He also mentioned infielders David Farias and J.R. Davis as players who have been instrumental in the team’s recent improvement.

Davis has been inactive the previous two games due to an injured right ankle.

He hurt it attempting to make a play at second base during their loss to the 49ers.