Junior infielder Liam Bendo has started the 2020 season on a tear for the St. Joe’s baseball team. As of March 1, Bendo holds a .294 batting average with two extra base hits.

Bendo went 4-5 with 2 RBIs in the Hawks’ 9-2 win against Western Carolina University on Feb. 23 at the Brittain Resorts Invitational. “I feel really good,” Bendo said about his play against the Catamounts.

“I like pitches that are lower. I was hunting a lower fastball and their pitcher was throwing them pretty frequently, so he gave right into my plan.”

Head Coach Fritz Hamburg commended Bendo’s performance at the plate.

“Liam had a great day,” Hamburg said. “He had a couple big hits with two outs. He’s been swinging the bat well. He’s been spraying the ball around the field.”

Along with the win against Western Carolina, Bendo said the early season results, which include a win over national power The Ohio State University, prove that the 2020 Hawks possess the offensive firepower to match up with most teams.

“Our team took some steps forward,” Bendo said. “We showed that we can hit with anybody. It doesn’t matter who we play.”

Bendo has high expectations for both the team and himself. Despite being picked ninth in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, Bendo believes the Hawks can contend for an Atlantic 10 Championship.

“I expect us to win an A-10 Championship, and continue to win after that, take our season into June and hopefully shock the world,” Bendo said. “Personally, my goals are to be First Team All A-10 and to put up numbers I never have before.”

Bendo’s confidence stems from his work ethic. Hamburg praised Bendo’s commitment to doing the little things well and specifically noted his drive in the weight room. Bendo’s mentality, Hamburg believes, is a byproduct of the success he wants the team to have.

“He’s very detail oriented,” Hamburg said. “He’s driven. He works hard in the weight room. He’s a bit of a perfectionist to say the least. He wants the team to have success.”

Junior catcher Brian Vance also complimented Bendo’s diligence.

“He’s a grinder, and he’s one of the hardest workers on the team,” Vance said.

In addition to leading by example, Vance said Bendo’s personality off the field is valued by his teammates. He noted Bendo’s sense of humor and his willingness to talk with his teammates about more than the game.

“Everyone likes being around him,” Vance said. “He brings a lot to the table with his sense of humor. He’s a guy that anyone can talk to not only about baseball but other things.”

When asked to name a player who he models his game after, Bendo referenced two former players who he looked up to during his first year on the team.

“I would say I model my game after former Hawk infielders Matt Maul and Marc Giacalone,” Bendo said. “I learned a lot from them, and I like to incorporate things they taught me in my game.”

Hamburg noted Bendo’s development over his three years on Hawk Hill.

“Liam is a lot more confident. He’s really coming into his own now,” Hamburg said. “He had to figure things out a little bit early on in his career, but the more he played and gained confidence, the better he’s played.”