Philadelphia College Baseball Weekend Review: Book Dazzles in Hawk Debut

Opening weekend? More like Opening Weakend. Thanks to Mother Nature, much of the area’s college baseball slate was washed away before it even got started. Cancellations. Postponements. More empty dugouts than a rain delay at Citizens Bank Park.

But the stat line of the weekend? That belongs to Colton Book. The Saint Joseph’s left-hander made his Hawk debut in style on Saturday, firing six shutout innings, allowing just one hit, one walk, and striking out nine in a 3-0 win over Washington at Springs Brooks Stadium. One start, one gem, one heck of a first impression.

At the plate, Tim Dickinson did his best to spark the Hawks' offense, collecting three hits, including two doubles, while swiping three bases. But outside of those highlights? It was a bumpy ride for St. Joe’s. The Hawks dropped their opener to Coastal Carolina on Friday and wrapped up the weekend with a loss to Kansas State, finishing 1-2.

Meanwhile, down in Puerto Rico, Villanova started off with a strong win over Rice before running into a little turbulence—turbulence in the form of a 19-0 blowout loss to Michigan on Sunday. But in between? A near-upset of No. 2 Virginia on Saturday night. Luke McCollough did everything he could to put the Wildcats in position, tossing five innings of one-run ball and striking out seven in a tough 3-1 loss.

As for Division III teams? Well, they didn’t even get the chance to take the field. Weekend storms wreaked havoc on the schedule, washing out season openers up and down the coast.

And outside the region? Former Arcadia star Alex Madera wasted no time putting his name on the stat sheet as the North Carolina infielder went 3-for-9 with two RBIs and a stolen base, helping the Tar Heels sweep Texas Tech in an impressive opening statement.

Former Penn standout Wyatt Henseler collected two hits over the weekend for Texas A&M in a three-game sweep of Elon.

Baseball is back—just don’t tell the weather.