}BROOKLINE — Alex Lane was part of New England’s best “Bash Brothers” combo with another transfer Tyler McGregor a year ago for the Northeastern Huskies.
McGregor, of Peabody, batting third, hit .402 with 19 HRs and 80 RBI.
Lane, of Andover, batting cleanup, hit .375 with 18 HRs, 80 RBI.
Those some serious stats.
When the season ended abruptly with consecutive losses in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) tournament, missing out on an NCAA berth, things changed.
McGregor, who started his career at Columbia University, surprisingly went undrafted and his career ended.
Lane, though, had an extra year – his sixth – because of the lost COVID season. Earlier in his career, while at Bryant University, he lost an entire season to a knee injury.
There were other changes for Lane.
Back surgeries to repair a herniated disc. Two of them. One in the summer. Another in the fall.
Lane was not able to swing a baseball bat until New Year’s Day.
With pro baseball off the table, why not just finish off his MBA and call it a career?
“My love for the game,” said Lane. “I’ve played on a lot of good teams at St. John’s Prep, Bryant and here at Northeastern. But I never won a championship. That’s what brought me back. And this is the best chance I’ve ever had.”
The Huskies are the talk of college baseball. After starting the season 12-8, they have won 33 of their last 34.
Their pitching staff is key, ranking No. 1 in the country in ERA (2.94) and shutouts (16).
Their offense isn’t too shabby either, with eight games ending early due to the slaughter rule (10-run lead), averaging nearly 3.5 stolen bases per game and over one home run per game.
{p dir=”ltr”}{span}The time off and the back surgeries have come with a cost. Lane is not the same “bash brother” hitter he has basically always been.
He’s lost some power and consistency.
Entering the CAA tournament Lane is hitting .249 with four homers and 46 RBI.
Instead of batting fourth, he’s been hovering in the seventh and eighth spot in the lineup, with four teammates over .300, including CAA MVP candidate Cam Maldonado (.374, 17 HR, 57 RBI).
That being said, you don’t see many eighth hitters averaging nearly an RBI a game like Lane is.
“Alex puts a lot of pressure on himself to succeed, because of the expectations,” said Northeastern head coach Mike Glavine. “What people might be missing in his numbers this spring is the amount of big hits this year.”
Two weeks ago was a perfect example when Northeastern was facing the then-second place William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
With the score tied 0-0 in the top of the ninth inning, Lane blasted the game-winning RBI single to win that game 1-0 which clinched the CAA regular season title.
Two days later in the Sunday finale, he put Northeastern ahead 5-0 in the first inning with a grand slam en route to a 15-5 win.
“Alex has that clutch gene,” said Glavine. “He’s always had it here. To have a bat like that in the seventh or eighth spot for us is special. I’m not a big analytics guy, but having his experience and leadership at the back of the lineup is one of the reasons we are who we are.”
Lane credits the strength coaches for keeping him as limber as he can possibly be.
“My biggest issue is soreness and recovery,” said Lane. “But I don’t have any major limitations.”
Lane started his high school and college career at catcher, but with his tight-end frame – 6-foot-6, 245 pounds – he played left field and designated hitter.
He filled a big void moving to first base this season, having committed only three errors, none in his last 30 games during the team’s winning streak.
A key to going through the back surgeries and arduous rehab was to finally win a championship, beyond the regular season CAA title the Huskies copped.
They are currently ranked No. 19, highest ever, in the USA Coaches and Baseball America polls heading into their CAA opener on Thursday in Charleston, S.C.
“It’s been a fun year with these guys,” said Lane. “Our pitching has set this all up. It has been tremendous. On offense, our matra is to pick each other up, keep the line moving. I’m just trying to do my part the best I can. And that’s driving in guys.”
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.