Mount Greylock's Steve Messina Earns 300th Win

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Ordinarily, a 25-0 game like the one Mount Greylock’s baseball team won on Wednesday would be described as nothing if not forgettable.

But it was noteworthy as a milestone in the memorable career of Mounties coach Steve Messina.

“This … it’s emotional because it’s a long time, a lot of memories, a lot of players and a lot of great kids,” Messina said after recording his 300th career win with a five-inning decision over St. Joseph.

“There are a lot of guys I still stay in touch with. We’ve got an alumni game coming up in a month, and I’m looking forward to that. That’s the special thing over the years: the relationships you make. The wins come along, and that’s great. But it’s the people you get to be around and coach for 25 years. That’s what makes it special, and that’s what keeps me going.”

Mount Greylock freshman Cal Messina had the special experience of starting in right field and going 2-for-5 with four RBIs as the Mounties improved to 3-0 this spring and got his dad to the 300-win plateau.

“I’ve seen a lot of them over the years,” Cal Messina said. “I’ve grown up around all the players for years and years.

“It’s been fun to watch all of them. I’ve seen some tough losses, and I’ve also seen a lot of tough wins. It’s been a great experience watching all of it and being a part of it, too.”

Cal was an eighth-grader on last year’s varsity team that went all the way to the state title game.

Steve Messina said that teams like last year’s may be noteworthy in terms of banners, but all his squads have been special.

“Even if the records weren’t as great as maybe last year, still every year was memorable,” he said.

This year’s Mounties took all of the drama out of win No. 300 early.

The first 10 players to the plate scored runs in a 13-run first inning for the home team. Jack Milne doubled in a run for one of the Mounties’ 10 first-inning hits.

In the third, Mount Greylock -- this time fielding mostly reserves -- batted around again, plating 12 more runs to put the game out of reach.

Fourteen different Mount Greylock players recorded at least one hit, led by Nick Rondeau, who went 4-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and three runs scored.

Defensively, the combination of Adam Petricca and Philip Guest was unhittable. The pair struck out eight and walked just three without allowing a hit in five innings of work.

Mount Greylock travels to Lenox on Thursday. St. Joe travels to Sabis on Tuesday.

More photos of this game here.