Huskies take it the Max
Burt leads NU to NCAAs
The sobriquet “Mr. 200” doesn’t sound like a flattering tag to hang on a college baseball player.
For Northeastern shortstop Max Burt, that handle is the ultimate compliment to his perseverance and consistency at the busiest intersection on the diamond. The senior from North Andover is the only player in Huskies history to start 200 games and compile 200 hits.
Burt has started a school record 222 games and is sixth all-time with 213 hits. He is the Huskies’ point man in terms of service on the winningest senior class (121) in school history.
Burt’s next start will be the most important of his career when the Huntington Hounds take on the Auburn Tigers in the Raleigh Regional of the Division 1 NCAA baseball tournament on Friday at Doak Field in Raleigh, N.C.
Host North Carolina State will face Army in the nightcap in a double elimination format.
“It’s pretty awesome and the whole senior class is awesome and it is the winningest class right now,” said NU fourthyear coach Mike Glavine prior to practice yesterday in Brookline. “They all kind of started when I did as the head coach so I’m proud of them and Max is a two-time captain. He’s a nonstop worker and he can’t get enough swings and he can’t get enough ground balls and I’m so happy for all the success he’s earned.
“Early in his freshman year he started playing shortstop and hasn’t looked back. Now they call him ‘Mr. 200’ and that’s awesome.”
The Huskies captured the Colonial Athletic Association regular season championship for the second year in a row with a program record 36 wins but then lost in the conference tournament final.
NU, one of 33 teams awarded an at-large bid, will compete in the NCAA tournament for the eighth time and first since 2003.
“This is great and this is something we’ve wanted to do and we’ve expected to do since the fall,” said Burt, a St. John’s Prep product. “It feels great that all the hard work and the 6 a.m. lift workouts have paid off. It’s great to go down there to compete and win this regional.”
To attain “Ironman” status in any sport requires mental fortitude, a commitment to conditioning and a remarkable run of good luck. Burt satisfied that trinity with favorable batting statistics and a steady glove.
Burt started 55 games this season with a .278 batting average with 63 hits, 33 runs, 12 doubles, three home runs and 32 RBI. He has a .370 slugging percentage, a .333 on-base percentage and a stellar .969 fielding percentage.
“For me I just love getting out there and playing, I don’t like sitting around,” said Burt. “But I’ve got to give kudos to the training staff here and the coaches for believing in me.
“My body always feels great and ready for these games in a long season.”