By MIKE DiMAURO

Imagine our thoughts, those of us obsessed with sports at Boston College, sometime in mid March:

Having just witnessed a ghastly 2-10 football team and equally appalling men’s and women’s basketball seasons, we turned our attention to baseball – “Birdball,” as we’ve come to know it – and were reminded the Eagles were picked dead last in the ACC. And we wonder if our BC-induced O.T.S.D. (Ongoing Traumatic Stress Disorder) is ever going to get cured.

But then a funny thing happened amid the wallowing. Birdball gave us the best kind of season, the kind that comes out of nowhere.

No, the end didn’t match the beginning and the middle. But what Birdball accomplished overall this season not only was fun to watch, but should have delivered a message to every other athletic program on campus. (More on that later.)

This year, BC won New England (the Beanpot and a 4-0 record against Northeastern and UConn), set a record for conference wins (17), tied the program record for overall wins (37), made the NCAA Tournament, won the Pete Frates game at Fenway and drew crowds in excess of 2,000 several times. It’s pretty clear that Todd Interdonato, who won consistently at Wofford and whose win totals at BC have increased every year, knows what he’s doing.

Here is what Interdonato said after Sunday’s season ender against Liberty: 

“I think our success starts with the belief and the love for the institution. I think that’s where we are very different than a lot of other places,” he said. “And there’s a lot of great institutions out there, but our guys love going to BC. Our guys love everything about it. And I think that’s really where it starts. 

“Then, that bleeds its way into the locker room where they have a love for each other. And then that bleeds onto the field. But, for me, how we progress and what we do, I think it just starts by those guys in 2024 after Mike (Gambino) leaving and the transition, all those guys staying. But, again, I can tie that back to the love for the institution. And I think that’s where it all starts. So, for me, I just feel incredibly fortunate to be at a place like that where those kids love going to school this much because I know that’s how I feel about being an employee here. So, to me, we just continue to build on that, but without the love for the institution, without the incredible power that BC is, none of this is possible.” 

(I’m going to hit the cosmic pause button here to briefly weep tears of joy.)

I mean, how great is that? A bunch of kids who stayed – probably with more money out there at other places – who feel about BC the way many of us did during our four years. And then to make the NCAAs as well. Birdball has become BC’s beacon.

Let me also say this: If Birdball can win, so should every other program on campus. Because I honestly don’t know how many other programs at BC have the same obstacles Interdonato faces.

To wit: The ACC is competitive to great in most sports, but perhaps none more than baseball. It places gaggles of teams in the postseason faithfully, giving BC a regular season schedule filled with landmines. Then Interdonato must try to recruit kids/transfers to the chill of the northeast in the spring – not exactly conducive to baseball – on a budget that is probably not on par with the rest of the conference. 

Hmmm. Should I go to BC and freeze my ascot off for less money or go someplace warm for more money?

Sorry, but if Interdonato’s win totals keep rising amid all those issues, other coaches on campus should be taking notes. Remember: athletic director Blake James promised full participation in revenue sharing for next year (capped at $21.1 million). That and third party (NIL) compensation for the athletes should be enough to keep BC competitive in everything. Translation: There are no more excuses for losing. 

Birdball and the hiring of Luke Murray gave us some unexpected joy to end an otherwise hideous sports year. We sign off for a few months now to enjoy summer and get ready for the fall, football and then eventually a highly anticipated men’s basketball season for the first time in years. And then after that, Birdball. Our beacon.

Can’t wait.
Mike DiMauro, a columnist in Connecticut, is a contributor to Eagles Daily and a member of BC’s class of 1990. He may be reached at m.dimauro@theday.com or on X @BCGenius

DURHAM, NC – Boston College dominated a higher-seeded opponent for the second consecutive night to advance to the next round. BC did not finish the game until 2:17 AM and has earned a full rest day. The Eagles utilized their speed to pressure UVA, scoring five unearned runs due to errors and other mental mistakes made by the Cavaliers.

BC started the game strong with five runs in the first inning. Josiah Ragsdale reached base on catcher’s interference and stole second. Patrick Roche walked, and both runners advanced a base. Jack Toomey smashed a double down the right field line to score both runners. Gunnar Johnson singled, and Esteban Garcia hit a ball off the first baseman’s glove to reach safely. Adam Magpoc doubled to the opposite field, bringing in two more Eagles and extending the lead to 5-0.

Brady Miller allowed a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning. Boston College quickly answered with two runs of their own. Sam McNulty singled and advanced on a balk. Patrick Roche was hit by a pitch, and the Eagles executed another successful double steal. Gunnar Johnson walked to load the bases, and two runners scored on a wild pitch while the catcher threw the ball into the dugout. UVA added two more runs at the bottom of the frame, reducing the BC lead to 7-4.

BC continued to build its lead in the fourth inning. Patrick Roche doubled and stole third. Toomey reached base on a throwing error, allowing Roche to score. Gunnar Johnson walked, but Toomey was thrown out trying to steal third base. Garcia singled through the right side to add another insurance run, making it 9-4 BC. Both pitching staffs settled in, and the offenses quieted down.

UVA scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth, powered by a three-run homer from Henry Ford. In the top of the eighth, the Eagles sealed the victory. Kyle Wolff was hit by a pitch for the 27th time this year, leading the ACC. McNulty bunted down the first base line, but an error allowed him to reach and another runner to advance to third. Ragsdale doubled to bring in both runners for a triple. He then scored on a wild pitch, and the Eagles now led 12-8.

Freshman Cesar Gonzalez dominated in his three innings of work, recording six strikeouts on three hits with no runs allowed. He preserved crucial bullpen arms for the game on Friday against UNC. Kyle Kipp also added three shutout innings of relief. Earlier this year, UNC won a close series against BC two games to one. The Eagles have demonstrated they can compete with the Tar Heels. If BC’s pitching performs well on Friday, I believe they can beat North Carolina.

BRIGHTON, MA – Boston College continues to deliver late-game heroics to secure a crucial series against Notre Dame. Positioned similarly last year, BC was swept at Notre Dame, which derailed their campaign. After losing the first game, Boston College reached a turning point in its season. They responded to adversity and dominated the final two games, boosting their RPI to #56 in the nation, according to Warren Nolan. The Eagles need to gain momentum if they hope to contend for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

On Friday, the Irish triumphed in a pitcher’s duel. Despite the Eagles getting runners on base in several innings, they could not bring them in. BC’s pitchers kept them within striking distance. AJ Colarusso delivered four shutout innings, striking out six batters. J.D. Ogden cruised through the fifth but struggled in the sixth, yielding a run and allowing another to score on a passed ball, providing the only offense of the game. In the bottom of the ninth, Jack Toomey and Adam Magpoc both singled, but no one was able to score them. Notre Dame won the first game of the doubleheader 2-0.

Boston College appeared to be on the brink of collapse but focused after the first inning to salvage their season. After conceding five runs in the top of the first, things looked bleak for the Eagles. Tyler Mudd entered in a high-leverage situation and forced two fly balls to escape the first inning. He dominated the rest of his outing, not allowing a run through four and two-thirds innings. Jacob Burnham and Joey Ryan were outstanding as well, each pitching two innings with two strikeouts and no runs allowed. The pitching staff kept them in a game that could have easily shifted downward.

The Eagles began to chip away from the bottom of the first. Josiah Ragsdale was hit by a pitch, and Toomey walked. Kyle Wolff connected for a single to left field, narrowing Notre Dame’s lead to 5-1. In the fifth, Vince Cimini sparked the rally with a double. Beck Milner grounded out to advance Cimini to third base, and Cimini scored on a passed ball, making it 5-2, Notre Dame.

In the bottom of the seventh, Boston College leveled the game. Sam McNulty drew a walk, and Vince Cimini singled. Jace Roosesien pinch-hit for Milner and bunted the ball down the third base line, reaching safely for a hit, loading the bases. Patrick Roche then stepped up and crushed a ball to right center, scoring two runners. Toomey grounded out to third base, bringing in the tying run. Roche nearly scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball but was narrowly thrown out on a play that was unsuccessfully reviewed. I believe he might have been safe, but there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn the decision.

In the eighth, Adam Magpoc singled and stole second base. Freshman Larson delivered the most clutch hit of his young BC career, doubling down the line and scoring the game-winning run. Ryan dispatched the Irish in order in the top of the ninth, securing a 6-5 victory for the Eagles. The pitching staff produced eight scoreless innings to clinch the game. 

Sunday’s game was a hard-fought thriller for both sides, and both teams felt this was a must-win to keep their season on track. Notre Dame started strong with two runs in the second inning, and BC responded in the bottom of the inning. The hero of the previous game, Colin Larson, hit a home run over the fence in left field to cut the deficit in half. Notre Dame added another run in the next inning to extend their lead to 3-1.

In the bottom of the fifth, Cimini tripled down the line in left field. Esteban Garcia pinch-hit and doubled to score a run, making it 3-2 Notre Dame. In the following inning, the Eagles drew level. Larson walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but he was thrown out trying to tag up on a sacrifice fly. McNulty singled through the right side, and Cimini doubled him in, tying the game at three.

Once again, the pitching staff kept them in the game. After Kyle Kipp allowed three runs, four pitchers combined to shut out the Notre Dame offense in the final six innings. John Kwiatkowski struck out two batters before being relieved by Gavin Soares, who contributed a scoreless frame. Brady Miller delivered another outstanding performance, surrendering only two hits over three and two-thirds innings. Eric Schroeder closed out the eighth and shut them down in the ninth.

With the game on the line, McNulty hit a weak grounder to the shortstop, who threw the ball away. With McNulty on second, Cimini bunted him over to third base. Gunnar Johnson pinch-hit for Roossien and blasted the first pitch he saw to deep right center. The ball dropped, and the Eagles rushed the field.

As I stated leading up to this series, this weekend was crucial against a quality opponent, and BC’s resiliency was on full display. Boston College did not play its best baseball this week, but the pitching staff came through. The Eagles could have swept this Notre Dame team, and I am impressed with their growth as a staff. Going forward, BC will play Cal, Stanford, Miami, and Wake Forest to finish out the year in ACC play. I realistically see this team beating three of their last four opponents if they play to their potential.

Next week against Wake Forest (9-9 ACC) will be a tough series. Wake Forest has struggled this year, including this weekend, getting swept by #16 North Carolina and losing twice by mercy rule. If the Eagles could steal a game in Winston-Salem, it would be extremely beneficial for their RPI moving forward. Winning against the Demon Deacons will also be important for seeding purposes in the ACC tournament since they are only four games ahead of the Eagles. With the new format, the top eight ACC teams will receive a bye, which is still achievable for BC. Although BC has a track record of losing games they should not this year, they should not take UConn lightly. UConn will travel up to Chestnut Hill on Tuesday, looking for revenge for their earlier loss this season. The Huskies hold a four-game winning streak, including a weekend sweep against Georgetown.