BUZZARDS BAY, Mass – At the end of every sports season, traditionally prior the final regular season home game, we honor our senior student-athletes for their contributions to their respective programs prior to playing their final home game at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. With the current global climate and spring seasons being cancelled our seniors had the opportunity to walk on the field with their family taken away from them. In honor of our seniors we would like to take the time to recognize them and their time as a Buccaneer.

Saturday, April 25^th against MCLA would have been Senior Day for the five Buccaneer baseball seniors. This group of guys won 43 games overall with 23 conference wins in their career together. In 2018 the team finished with a 10-4 conference record to seal the MASCAC regular season championship. Unfortunately their 2020 season was cut short; they finished 2-2 overall with a 2-1 record in Florida.

First is Houma, Louisiana native, #10 Jacob Crochet. The Marine Transportation major has been a part of the Buccaneer baseball team for four years. Unfortunately he was bit by the injury bug early in his Buccaneer career and had been working hard to get back on the field. "Jake was the type of guy who would sacrifice his body to make a play at third base," said Head Coach Mike Kelley. Before being sidelined his junior season by injury, Crochet drew three walks in 11 plate appearances, good for a .364 on-base percentage in 2019. Off the field and in the dugout, Crochet was a mentor to young Bucs. Healthy for 2020, he was poised to make a lot of noise as a senior.

Next is #17, Nick Haley. The Marine Science, Safety and Environmental Protection major from Hanson, Mass has been a mainstay in the Buccaneer offense for four seasons. In those four seasons Haley hit eight home runs, including a team-high four in 2019 to go along with 54 hits and 39 RBI. "Nick's offensive contributions are going to be hard to replace," said Coach Kelley. To go along with his four homeruns in 2019, Haley posted 28 hits, 20 RBI, stole four bases and hit a career high .272 with a .350 on-base percentage.

Thirdly we have #24 Cooper Thornell. Cooper grew up around the Academy, being from Wareham, Mass and attending Upper Cape Tech in Bourne. The Facilities Engineering major has been described as the "example of a team player" by the coaching staff. "Cooper has always had a great work ethic," said Coach Kelley. "We asked him to move around the infield a lot during his career and then to catcher. He embraced every change we asked him to make." Thornell did a little of everything in his career. From a 1.000 fielding percentage to posting 6.75 strikeouts per nine innings.

Next is #30 Angus McNeil. From Middleton, Mass, Angus is an Energy Systems major at the Academy. McNeil hit .308 in his career as a Buc with a .370 on-base percentage. 2019 was his best season with 14 hits, nine RBI and a .341 batting average with an astounding .429 on-base percentage. "Angus came to work every day with a positive attitude and a smile on his face," said Coach Kelley. "He is a leader and definitely a team first guy." Angus already had four hits in 11 at-bats with two RBI in 2020 when the season was canceled.

Andrew Auld is our next senior to be honored. From Wakefield, Mass, the Emergency Management major played two years for Coach Kelley in 2017 and 2020. After his freshman year Andrew left the Academy to join the Army. After a year in the Military and a year studying abroad in Denmark, Auld came back to MMA. He was slated to be the closer for the Bucs in the 2020 season. Auld made three appearances in four games this year picking up a save in 1.2 innings pitched. In his two-year career he made 13 appearances with a win and a save in 33 innings.

Finally is Jackson Simone, A Marine Transportation major from Seattle, Washington. Jackson is a four year starter for the Bucs who was looked up to by the younger Bucs. "Jackson's leadership and offensive production is something that cannot be replicated," said Coach Kelley. In four seasons with the Buccaneer baseball team Simone batted .296 with a .396 on-base percentage. He tallied 69 career hits, 45 RBI, 17 doubles, two triples and six home runs. In the field, Simone made just four errors in his collegiate career at first base giving him a .993 fielding percentage. Simone also tried his hand at pitching while at MMA, pitching 13.2 innings and striking out eight hitters. He allowed just three earned runs, giving him a 1.98 career ERA.

To all of you from your coaching staff and the entirety of the Athletic Department, thank you for your hardwork and dedication to BucBall and the Academy over the last four years. Your season may have been cut short in your final year but the memories, especially the 2018 regular season conference championship will live on.

Congratulations on your outstanding careers and good luck in your future endeavors.