When Oxford takes the field for its Class C state semifinal baseball game against Keio Academy, it will enter unfamiliar territory against a virtually unknown opponent.
The Blackhawks face the Unicorns at 10 a.m. at Union-Endicott’s Pete Sylvester Field, and if they are able to pass that first test, it will come back at 4 p.m. for the state finals. “I like the way our offense is playing right,” said Oxford second-year coach Chris Palmer.
If you’re wondering if there is a but coming in Palmer’s statement, that “but” refers to the flip side of offense. “I can’t remember the last time we made less than four errors in a game – maybe against Sidney (a loss),” Palmer said. “We had about a 2 1/2-week stretch of games where we were making just one or two errors a game. I never would have guessed we’d be where we are now making that many errors a game.”
The primary reason Oxford is still alive and vying for the school’s first state baseball title is an uncanny ability to overcome adversity. Four straight games, Oxford has rallied from an early deficit to come out on top. Those types of mistakes – throwing, fielding, and baserunning – may be too difficult to overcome against a Keio Academy team that is appearing in its second straight state baseball tournament.
“From what I’ve read about them, they are a real throwback team,” Palmer said. “They are fundamentally sound, run the bases well, hit the cut-off man, back up every throw. They capitalize on other teams’ mistakes.”
What Palmer also learned is that his opponent is made up entirely of Japanese-born players. Keio Academy was established in 1990 for students of Japanese citizens working overseas in the United States. The Unicorns take Japan’s well-known work ethic to the baseball field doing calisthenics and running in a structured line through the outfield during pre-game warm-ups – almost like a military school. “I hope it isn’t a distraction for our players (the way they warm up), Palmer said. “I can’t have our kids watch how they prepare for a game, and not get prepared ourselves.”
Keio Academy is playing its third game in six days after picking up wins over Millbrook (3-2) on Monday and East Rockaway (10-2) on Wednesday. The Unicorns avenged a state playoff loss to Millbrook the year before scoring three runs in the top of the seventh. In the latter contest, a six-run third inning blew the game open.
“They’re a team that puts the ball in play all the way down their order,” Palmer said. “We have no idea where they like to hit the ball, who likes to bunt. It is a big unknown.”
But it is just baseball, Palmer said, noting that its 90 feet between each base and 60-feet, six-inches from the pitcher’s mound to home plate. “We don’t know anything about their pitchers, but at some point they have to come with a fastball,” he said. “On this level, rarely will kids beat you with the breaking ball.”
Oxford presently has a 21-3 record, a school-record for wins. Expect junior pitcher Nate Sortino to get the call in Saturday’s first game with senior Steve Locke to get the ball in the second game if the Blackhawks advance.