The Pilgrim baseball team is looking to find its rhythm as the regular season enters its back half, as it jumped out to a 4-7 overall record.

Pitching has been the team’s greatest asset to this point, as senior ace Nolan Canestrari has been electric, boasting a 1.09 ERA and averaging nearly two strikeouts per inning. Junior Derrick Butler has had a breakout year on the hill, with an ERA of 1.12, while Liam Budz has also provided quality depth to the tune of a 3.10 ERA.

“Our pitching has been solid across the board. Nolan has been excellent for us. Liam Budz shut out La Salle and has been solid, and Derrick Butler as a (junior) has been real solid in that third spot in the rotation,” said Pilgrim manager Bryan Morry, who is in his first year as Pilgrim’s skipper. “We need to find ways to be more consistent. The kids are working hard, coming out every day trying to improve, but our performances have been all over the place. It’s been fits and starts. It’s just about finding consistency.”

Henry Kearns returns as the No. 3 hitter and has been a steady producer as a senior. As one of the key veterans, Morry has put high expectations on him as the offense looks to improve down the stretch.

“He’s got to drive in runs. That’s his role. If the guys in front of him get on base he needs to drive them home. He has some pop in his bat and it sounds differently when it comes off the bat. We need him to be our driving force,” said Morry of Kearns.

Also making a splash is junior Samuel Shelton, who has been batting leadoff and playing multiple positions in the field. Shelton also leads the team with 10 stolen bases.

“He has been our spark plug. He’s good on the basepaths, has contributed (both offensively and defensively). He’s just a great baseball player,” said Morry.

Pilgrim recently received some reinforcements, as Bishop Hendricken transfer Matt Wellington has joined the lineup and has hit .500 in his first four games.

As Pilgrim looks to fight for a Division I postseason berth, Morry wants to see the team master the basics while also playing with more confidence down the stretch, 

“In Division I, every single day you can go out and lose or win. I don’t think there’s anyone that is unbeatable, but at the same time, if we don’t play well enough, anyone can beat us,” said Morry. “We’ve been working a lot on fundamentals defensively and offensively, just trying to be aggressive. Changing our mentality and being more of an attack team and trying to be hard to play against. And just having some fun, relaxing.”

Pilgrim faced South Kingstown on Wednesday, but the results were unavailable at press time.