As floral around Madison flourishes with the spring season, the Madison Area Technical College baseball team follows suit. As of April 23, the team has won 15 out of the last 16 games played. In conference games during this stretch, the team has remained undefeated at eight wins and zero losses. With the postseason around the corner, the team is poised to make a deep postseason run.

Coach Mike Davenport blames a close loss to opponent Waubonsee Community College as a contributing factor towards recent successful play.

“We didn’t put them away when we had a chance to,” Davenport said.

In the game, the WolfPack gave up a six run lead and eventually lost in extra innings with a final score of seven to six. Three days later, the team found themselves in a three run deficit against conference opponent Joliet Junior College. They came back to win the game five to four. Davenport attributes the experience gained from the prior loss to helping the team find a way to win from behind.

“The team responded (to the loss). It was a big spark for us,” Davenport said.

While spring has officially sprung, the difference in season hasn’t guaranteed optimal playing conditions for the team. Over the last few weeks, two games have been canceled and one rescheduled due to weather conditions. Although the team has played winning ball, coach Mike Davenport has been bothered by the breaks in play.

“We (the team) are creatures of habit. Dealing with the weather is frustrating. We’ve had to take the tarp on and off the field,” Davenport said.

With nine recorded wins and only one loss in conference play (N4C), it seems weather may be the only concern for a WolfPack team that is hitting stride. In addition, the team is undefeated at home with a record of 10 wins and zero losses.

For Davenport, this phase of the season will help the coaching staff determine set roles for different players on the team. Games leading up to this point have helped the team learn and develop their skills and position on the team. Once the postseason starts, Davenport expects to be prepared.

According to Davenport, most of the players are showing the ability to contribute to the team. Despite this, there are a handful of players that will continue to get the majority of playing time going forward. In the final stretch of games, the team will look to continue their strong play and improve in areas of need.

Throughout the season, the team has impressed Davenport, especially off the field. According to the coach, the team boasts over 15 academic all-conference players while averaging a 3.0 grade point average overall for the team.

“They are a fun group. They are great students, great people, which is awesome,” Davenport said.

As the spring season slowly winds toward summer, the baseball team will continue to follow suit towards the postseason.

With successful conference play and an undefeated home record thus far, the team will look to keep it up heading into the final stretch of regular season play.