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.

DURHAM, NC – #14 Boston College may have ended #11 Notre Dame’s postseason chances last night with their upset in the ACC Tournament. The Irish needed one or two wins to solidify their at-large bid. BC aimed to eliminate their rival’s postseason hopes, leaving ND’s fate in the hands of the committee.

The Irish took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but BC quickly fought back. In the top of the second, Vince Cimini walked with two outs to start the rally. Adam Magpoc singled up the middle, and Kyle Wolff hit a towering three-run homer. The Eagles added another run in the next inning when Josiah Ragsdale and Patrick Roche hit back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners. Gunnar Johnson laid down a perfect bunt to score Ragsdale, extending the lead to 4-2.

AJ Colarusso settled in after a tough first inning and delivered four solid frames. Notre Dame managed to increase Colarusso’s pitch count, but he was relentless, working out of multiple jams. Colarusso gave up a solo homer and was replaced by JD Ogden going into the bottom of the fifth. Ogden retired the side in order in the fifth but encountered trouble in the sixth. Gavin Soares came in after Notre Dame tied the game at 4-4. Soares had one of his best outings of the year, escaping the sixth without allowing any additional runs, recording consecutive strikeouts. He didn’t give up a hit until the bottom of the tenth, finishing with five strikeouts and keeping the Eagles in contention.

BC’s offense stayed quiet until the tenth. Sam McNulty began the inning with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Veteran Patrick Roche became the hero with a sharp single up the middle to score McNulty. Soares then shut down the Irish in the bottom of the inning, clinching the extra-innings thriller.

#14 Boston College will face #6 Virginia tonight on the ACC Network in another nightcap. BC has performed well against UVA this year, winning their series in Charlottesville earlier this season.