In a season marked by explosive offense, tough losses and moments of promise, baseball (27-27, 14-16 Atlantic 10) concluded their season Saturday — falling just one game short of qualifying for the conference tournament.
While the team showed flashes of dominance — including a 26-7 trouncing of the University of Maine and an 18-4 rout of the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, both in March — the Revolutionaries struggled to maintain momentum against conference opponents. With a .289 team batting average, good for sixth in the A-10, and 373 runs scored, the team’s offense often delivered but inconsistency on the mound and in the field proved too much to overcome this season.
After dropping all three games of the opening series in mid-February to the University of Southern California on the road, the team bounced back in impressive fashion, winning five straight games in late February and early March against Maine, Georgetown University and University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Their 26-7 victory over Maine included 19 hits and 20 RBIs — a performance that set the tone for the offensive strength the team leaned on throughout the spring.
Still, the team wavered throughout the season. While they secured key wins — including a 12-7 victory over Massachusetts in late April and 13-8 away win against Davidson in early May — those moments were offset by lopsided losses, like their 22-10 fall to Dayton in mid-April and their 11-1 stumble against George Mason in late March.
The Revs, in several close games, found themselves just short of a comeback or unable to hold a narrow lead. More than 10 losses came by two runs or fewer, showcasing just how thin the margin was between wins and defeats. The team’s offense often kept them competitive, but inconsistency in pitching and defense repeatedly cost them winnable games. Their team ERA of 7.02 — nearly a full run higher than their opponents’ 6.05 — reflected those struggles.
Defensive blunders also plagued the team throughout the spring, with 64 total errors across 53 games, averaging just over one per game. Opponents attempted 141 stolen bases against GW this season — the most in the A-10 — showcasing the challenges the team faced in controlling the game.
The team concluded its season with three consecutive losses to Georgetown and Saint Louis last week, falling short of securing a spot in the upcoming A-10 Championship. Only the top seven teams from the regular season qualify for the tournament. GW finished in eighth place, missing the cut by just one game.
This year’s 24-win season fell short of last year’s 29-28 finish, where the team earned a spot in the A-10 Championship. Last year’s postseason play was the first time the team qualified for the tournament since 2018. GW placed fifth, while St. Louis clinched the championship title.
Head Coach Gregg Ritchie said after a late March loss against George Mason that maintaining emotional control has been essential to the team’s success this season also emphasizing the importance of staying focused on execution regardless of the score.
“Our guys just never, ever, ever, ever quit,” Ritchie said in late March. “They just don’t. Even today, when we weren’t really at our best, the vibe in the dugout was still, ‘Let’s go do it, we can still find a way. Let’s find a way.’”
Despite the team’s overall record, there were several individual and group accomplishments worth highlighting. Sam Gates led the team at the plate with a .346 batting average, along with 64 hits, 36 RBIs and a .535 slugging percentage.
Ellis Schwartz sat right behind Gates, posting a .345 average. Gates and Schwartz are ranked No. 18 and 19 in batting average in the A-10, respectively.
Top performers Gates, Schwartz and Cade Davis — all graduating seniors — will leave behind significant gaps in the lineup and on the mound. Their departures close the chapter on some of the team’s most consistent and experienced contributors.
Charlie Rogan is a promising returner who batted .304 with 38 RBIs and tied for the team lead in doubles. Splitting time between first base and the outfield, he was a steady presence in the lineup and showed a strong mix of patience and power, making him a likely key contributor heading into next season.
