Sports

UPDATED PHOTOS: Spartans fall to College of DuPage

Baseball team has eighth loss

Daniel Nachampassak, Editor-in-training

March 31, 2026

Matthew Brunscheen, Spartans batter, hits the ball as Matthew Betancourt, College of DuPage catcher, reacts to the play during the first game of the season at the Home of the Spartans on Mar. 25, 2026.

[FILE PHOTO] The ECC baseball team gathers in the field to prepare for the game on Mar. 25, 2026. Not long after, the team got into position on the field and the game started.

Madison Curcio
The ECC baseball team does a team huddle to get hyped for the game on Mar. 25, 2026. The National Anthem was played shortly after.

Madison Curcio
Madison Curcio
Madison Curcio
Madison Curcio
Madison Curcio
Madison Curcio
Madison Curcio
Madison Curcio
Madison Curcio
Madison Curcio
Madison Curcio
Madison Curcio

This past Wednesday, the Spartans lost their 8th consecutive game against College of DuPage in 10th innings at the Spartan Baseball Field.

People are gathered at the Spartan Baseball Field as they get ready to watch the Spartans play on a warm, windy day.

The moment signals the Spartans first home game of the season.

The Spartans lost this game because they didn’t put a lot of effort into their performance.

“We started off slow. Everything was the fifth inning, we came back fighting and tied it up. We had some good fight at the end.” Bill Angelo, head coach of ECC men’s baseball.

Bill Angelo, head coach of the Spartans, checks his watch from the dugout as players look on during the first home game against College of DuPage on Mar. 25th, 2026. (Jessica Bonilla)

The team lacks confidence by not producing a lot of offense and not playing good defense.

“That’s one of the things that we’ve got to do better is produce some more offense.” Angelo said. “We haven’t gotten our offense going yet.”

Coach Angelo mentioned that the players need to work harder so they can start winning games.

“We’re gonna keep on working. We’re gonna keep working hard, showing up and trying to get guys more energy, more consistently and we got to bring more energy.”

Caleb Williams, second year pitcher for the Spartans had a great performance.

“I’ve been out for a good 14-15 months and it was a gruesome rehab surgery,” he said. “All that work that I put in over the last year is what got me here”.

He noted that the team used their speed and baserunning skills to score two runs in the 2nd inning.

“Not sure how we scored, but just getting guys on base, causing chaos on the bases, is the Spartan way of playing baseball.” Williams said. “We’re called the Fleet Foot Spartans.”

Williams is using this game as a reminder to be more focused on the game moving forward.

“I need to get out of my head mentally.” he said. “I overthink a lot, which is then also causing some stuff going on with my arm.”

Crowd member Esther Herrera noted that the game has been good so far.

“It’s awesome and a tight game.” she said.

The fans are what motivates the Spartans to win games.

“Yes. The support keeps them winning.” Herrera said.

There’s a chance that the team will win their first home game of the season.

“This is their first home game of the season.” Herrera said.

Their next game is at home against Madison College on April 2. The Spartans have the potential to end their 8 game losing streak. Their current record is 4-13 this season.

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About the Contributors

Daniel Nachampassak, staff writer and editor-in-training

Nachampassak is entering his third year at ECC pursuing an Associate of Arts. He joined The Observer because he wants to learn how journalism works. but also it’s the stepping stone of getting more opportunities to work in professional spaces. The content Nachampassak is interested in are sports, mental health and improving the experience of ECC. Nachampassak is hoping to improve the quality of his stories but also be more consistent. He is also hoping to communicate with photographers more in this semester. His personal motto is “Focus on yourself and keep on moving.” Contact Information: [email protected]

Jessica Bonilla, staff graphic designer

This is Bonilla’s second year at ECC pursuing an associate in Graphic Design. She is starting her first year serving on the Observer staff. She joined the team because she wants to get more involved with ECC, where she can exchange experiences so she can learn and grow in her career path. She joined as a graphic designer, so her focus is to approach the community from the creative side, listening to stories of academic and personal growth from other students. Her personal motto is when you fall, have courage to get up and learn from it. Contact Information: [email protected]