Trois-Rivières Eagles Optimistic for Strong Comeback in 2024 Season

Authors of a difficult 2023 season of 38 wins and 57 losses last year, the fault of a carousel of inconsistent pitchers, the Eagles are hopeful of coming back strong this time. During a recent interview with Le Nouvelliste, Rusch noted that the main objective of the Trois-Rivières would be to reach the playoffs and, who knows, go some way there.

“My expectations are high. Our goal, like all other teams, is to make the series. I think we can have a long playoff run for our fans. We have improved in every aspect. The goal of every manager is to win a championship, but you have to start by making the playoffs. We want to win as many games as possible quickly in order to be in the playoff race in August,” Rusch said.

Eagles manager Matthew Rusch. (Stéphane Lessard/Archives Le Nouvelliste)

To achieve this, the Sparrows have worked hard to build a rotation of quality gunners. It has happened several times that setbacks on the mound have sabotaged solid performances from the offense in 2023, which has prompted Rusch and his recruiting partners to do everything they can to improve the Eagles’ defensive aspect.

“We needed better arms in our starters and in our relievers while having better defense. From the start of the off-season, we focused on that and I think we did a good job. Our pitching staff is probably twice as good on paper.”

In total, 96 matches are planned for the 2024 calendar, including 48 at Quillorama Stadium. This year, Eagles president René Martin said he hoped his organization would be able to attract between 1,700 and 1,800 supporters for the games on Trois-Rivières soil.

The president of the Eagles, René Martin, hopes for crowds of between 1,700 and 1,800 people this year. (Stéphane Lessard/Archives Le Nouvelliste)

“We will not have 4,000 spectators like in Quebec. We are in a small market. We often play six games in six evenings. If we can increase the crowds to 1700 or 1800 per match and have 2000 in a few years, we would be happy.

The first clash in Trois-Rivières is scheduled for May 17 against the new Frontier League team, the New England Knockouts. This replaces the Empire State Grays, an organization that had no home.

2024-05-10 10:01:17
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