By Anthony Gulizia, Boston Globe North Notebook
Aprlil 21, 2013
Worcester, MA --- The days seemed to never end, and the months crawled on the calendar as Alex Teal worked at a local Sports Authority in the Fall of 2011.
The Malden High grad was just over a year removed from earning MASCAC Rookie of the Year honors, but after his sophomore season at Fitchburg State, he was unhappy and moved home.
"I knew as a junior, I was going to be getting all the innings. That hurt me to leave," he said.
"All my friends from home were at school and my anxiety was through the roof; I was itching to get going and restart my life."
In the spring, he transferred to Worcester State and went 5-5 with a 6.04 ERA. But in his senior season he has emerged as the ace of the staff at 4-4 with a 1.52 ERA.
His four wins and 45 strikeouts are second in the MASCAC, and his ERA ranks third in the conference.
"Last year, I couldn't be myself," Teal said. "I'm a very emotional player and didn't want to come in and step on any toes. This year, the kids know my personality better and the catchers know my tendencies better and understand what gets me going."
On April 13, he pitched the second game of a doubleheader against Framingham State, where his brother Austin plays, and pitched a complete game three-hitter and allowed just one earned run in a 4-2 victory.
"It was an emotional one because my brother plays for them, and I was geared up for that one," Teal said. "I wasn't throwing my slider the way I wanted to, but I was taking a little off my fastball to make it move like a two-seamer."
Worcester State (12-16, 4-4 MASCAC) is fourth in the conference, and Teal is hoping to help them secure a spot in the six-team postseason tournament.
"We're just trying to be hot by the tournament," Teal said. "We're hoping to ride the wave in and have everyone healthy."