DALLAS — Losing stings as it always kindles some level of heartbreak, especially when College World Series implications are at stake. On Monday, Dallas Baptist University’s remarkable run came to an abrupt end in the Columbia Super Regional against Virginia. Kyle Teel’s two out grand slam in the seventh was the dagger hit for the Cavaliers (35-25), who have survived six elimination games in the NCAA Tournament.
The 5-2 loss in Game 3 is a pain that probably has not and will not go away anytime soon. But it’s important to find perspective even in down times.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these guys and what they’ve done for our program,” said DBU head coach Dan Heefner.
The Patriots’ Super Regional berth was their second in program history, the last one being in 2011. To get to that point, DBU knocked off Texas Christian University and Oregon State University in the Fort Worth Regional.
“We are never going to give in,” said DBU infielder Andrew Benefield. “Coach talks about it every single day. We will never give up and we will always come to our opponents with everything we have.”
Giving in is not in their DNA. What is in the team’s makeup, however, is diversity. Almost half the roster is composed of transfers.
They’re a group of castaways looking to shine in a new environment.
“Not a lot of guys here were blue chip recruits,” said DBU catcher Ryan Wrobleski. “They didn’t have a bunch of offers coming from high school or junior college. But this is the place where we knew we could develop and compete for a national title.”
“There is no way to quantify what that does on the field and on the scoreboard, but it makes a huge difference,” said Heefner.
Which was more apparent than ever when Andrew Benefield hit that grand slam against the Beavers in Game 3 of the Fort Worth Regional. Benefield is a transfer from Louisville who got significant playing time last year. But he came to DBU for one purpose and one purpose only, development.
“If you are in the college baseball world, you know about DBU. You know they rake every single year and that they're in the top 10 of so many hitting categories,” Benefield said proudly. “I just knew if I wanted to be the next level hitter, DBU was the place to be.”
Anyone who walks through their facilities knows the Patriots have all the tools at their hands to be successful. They even have a VR set to virtually face future opposing pitchers.
“Development is the heart and soul of our program,” Heefner said. “It takes players like Andrew who have great talent and a great work ethic to truly get better.”
Heefner added the team’s mindset is to produce professional hitters. The Patriots look at what the best are doing in Major League Baseball. DBU coaches even analyze what type of approach and swing the professionals use so they can teach their players accordingly.
“The come from behind wins and the late inning heroics shows how tough we can be as a team. I think that’s going to take us pretty far,” said DBU infielder Jackson Glenn.
That attitude will propel DBU into next season, with the hopes of clinching a College World Series berth for the first time in program history.