Avery Martin – Contributor
On April 2, Andrew Eng became the first baseball player in SCSU history to hit four homeruns in one game . The Owls eventually fell 17-10 against Queens College in the first game of a doubleheader, but the experience was special none the less.
Center fielder Eng, a graduate student shared his excitement about the acheivement
“It was pretty cool. It was definitely a special moment. Obviously because it was four home runs in one game, but also because my mom went to Queens College and that is her alma mater. She was there and got to see it, and I had some other family there too. It was a really good day,” Eng said.
Eng’s incredible feat of four home runs in one game is history making. This is not only the first time a player has done so for Southern, but also the second time in the entire NE10 conference and 32nd time in NCAA Division two history.
Coach Tim Shea praised Eng’s contribution to the team.
“He is arguably one of the best, not just on our team but in the whole region. Currently he leads the conference in home runs and RBIs,” Shea said. “He bats in the middle of our lineup and is the guy everyone hopes gets up in the tougher times because he always seems to come through”.
Eng’s teammate, pitcher Nick Guarino, a graduate student shares Coach Shea’s outlook on Eng.
“As a player, he is one of the best around. I’ve played some really good guys across the region across th past six years, but he definitely is one of the best. In the batter’s box you can tell he is well respected and looked up to by the team. He is just one of the best guys around,” Guarino said.
Eng, who is from Ridgewood, New Jersey, transferred to Southern from Binghamton University in his senior year. With the Owls, Eng became the first player in SCSU and NE10 history to hit a home run in four consecutive games to open the season.
As of April 12, Eng has a .307 batting average for the 2023 season with 31 hits, 36 RBIs, eight doubles, and 10 homeruns . All has been accomplished in just 101 at-bats.
Off the field, his teammates point out that Eng’s leadership skills make him stand out.
“He’s a role model for us and a role model for the younger guys. He is our captain and a big part of the team. He is like a father-figure for the guys. He is there for whatever you need,” Guarino said.
“He’s a great leader. He always does stuff the right way, he’s always prepared. The way he interacts with his teammates is great,” Shea said.“He’s not yeller or a screamer, but he makes sure that they understand what they need to do. He leads by example.”
With 2023 being Eng’s final season playing college baseball, Eng has began reflecting on the rest of the year.
“It is my final season. I am just going to enjoy my time with the guys. I’ve been playing for six years and I get to reflect and look back on all the good times. It is also important that I stay in the present and enjoy the time I have left here. I know the last half of the season will be a lot of fun,” Eng said.
