BACK IN THE SWING: Princeton Day School baseball player Matt Silverman takes a swing in a game earlier this season. Last Thursday, junior first baseman Silverman went 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, two runs, and two RBIs to help PDS defeat Princeton High 11-1. It was a breakout game for Silverman, who was sidelined last season due to a blood clot. The Panthers, who topped Seneca 4-3 last Saturday to improve to 2-5, host Steinert on April 17 and the Pennington School on April 18 before playing at South Hunterdon on April 21. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
By Bill Alden
Matt Silverman was physically unable to contribute to the Princeton Day School baseball team last spring.
Silverman was sidelined by a blood clot and had a rib removed as part of his treatment. He was on a blood thinner through last summer which restricted his training.
“I went back to the doctors this past fall and they took me off and since then I have just been grinding,” said Silverman.
Returning to the diamond this spring has meant the world for Silverman.
“I am so thrilled, it feels so amazing,” said Silverman. “When I first stepped in that field, it felt so good to be back. Of course I was a little rusty but that didn’t faze me. I had stepped into adversity.”
Silverman felt really good last Thursday, going 3 for 3 with a double, a walk, two runs, and two RBIs to help PDS defeat Princeton High 11-1.
With PDS bringing a 0-5 record into the game, junior first baseman Silverman looked to inspire his teammates before they took the field against the Tigers.
“I gave a pregame speech,” said Silverman. “I was like, ‘Boys today is our game.’ We were hyped.”
Responding to that message, PDS scored five runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back on the way to the victory.
“We are a very talented team, it was just time before our bats would light up and today was just that day,” said Silverman. “It makes it even better that was our crosstown rival. We were so fired up. It was awesome that our bats lit up today. It was amazing.”
Silverman got the Panthers on the board as he ripped a single to right field to plate the first run of the contest.
“I was just like, ‘Hit the right side gap and score a run,’” said Silverman. “It got through and that was a run. The hitting was so contagious and I loved it.”
In the second inning, Silverman struck again, hitting a run-scoring double.
“In that at-bat, my swing felt amazing,” said Silverman. “It carried on through that ball too.”
Reflecting on his performance, Silverman believes it will get him into a groove at the plate.
“This was my breakout game for sure and I feel like it is going to carry out the rest of the season,” said Silverman.
PDS head coach Eric Schnepf was excited to see his squad produce the breakout effort.
“It has been a tough start, you never know when it is coming,” said Schnepf. “We knew that they were capable of breaking through. We are happy that they did.”
The five-run first inning set the tone for the day. “The kids came out having some really competitive at-bats,” said Schnepf. “They were putting balls in play, hitting the ball, getting guys on base, moving them over and getting them in. We haven’t seen much of that so far this year so to have it happen and click is a good sign. I am sure it made them feel good. They had a really good day at the plate.”
The return of Silverman has given the Panthers a big lift. “I am sure it is physically tough but it is also the toll it has taken mentally and emotionally,” said Schnepf, reflecting on Silverman’s medical situation. “He is feeling good and feeling like he can be out here and not have to worry about anything. It is great having him back and just being a part of the team. It is also nice to see him hit. He had competitive bats all preseason but like the rest of the team, he went a little quiet at the start. He has been fighting through and putting some good at-bats together and now you see the culmination of the work.”
PDS got some good work with the bat from other players in the win as Gavin Ross went 2 for 3 with one run and two RBIs with Dom Carabelli going 2 for 4 with one run and two RBIs, and Vince Filis going 1 for 2 with two walks, one run, and one RBI.
“Top to bottom we had guys either getting hits or walking or working at-bats,” said Schnepf. “There were a lot of competitive at-bats regardless of the result throughout the day.”
Sophomore Ross also starred with his arm, pitching 4 2/3 innings, striking out six and giving up just one run and three hits.
“He threw great, that is always nice to get,” said Schnepf, noting that Ross didn’t pitch last year as he worked his way back from an arm injury. “He is healthy now and getting on the mound, now he has the confidence and is ready to compete. He is throwing strikes and working with Mack [Chiavarone] and trusting his defense behind him to make plays. It is nice when everything falls into place all at once. They are a good team, they are well-coached so to come out here and get a win, it is a good feeling.”
Schnepf is hoping that the win will be a harbinger of good things to come for the Panthers.
“You can’t always focus on the result, you have to stick with the process,” said Schnepf, whose team topped Seneca 4-3 last Saturday to improve to 2-5 and hosts Steinert on April 17 and the Pennington School on April 18 before playing at South Hunterdon on April 21. “I think this gave the kids some confidence. This showed the kids that they are more than capable. It is just sticking with the process and good things happen when you do that.”
Silverman, for his part, is confident that the Panthers will get on the right track.
“For the team, this is going to carry on through the season,” said Silverman. “I am going to keep them fired up. We are going to keep up the energy and we are going to keep hitting, fielding and pitching.”