Despite Team Struggles, Balkwill Playing Well For Siena

Larry Balkwill

Playing for the NCAA’s Siena Saints baseball team hasn’t been easy this season as the team has struggled to win on the field, but that hasn’t stopped Chatham’s Larry Balkwill from continuing to put together a strong season for the Saints.

Drafted by the Detroit Tigers, the former UCC student committed to Siena University where he is in his sophmore season playing college baseball. This season, Balkwill has been splitting time as the team’s catcher, as well as serving as a designated hitter during certain games.

On the Siena University website, Saints Head Coach Tony Rossi had this to say about Chatham’s Larry Balkwill,

“Larry got out of the gate quickly last year. This year, he has added strength, and tiring should not be an issue. He is an outstanding catcher who should do the bulk of the catching this year. A hard and aggressive worker, we expect him to be an offensive threat throughout the year.”

Members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in NCAA Division I, the Saints have gone a dismal 7-19 this season. So far this season, Balkwill has 13 hits, 7 RBI’s, and 5 runs, in 71 at bats. Even more than his at the plate presence, Balkwill has been a rock in the field for Siena with a .974 fielding average.