The baseball team has begun preparation for the upcoming season, and according to head coach Chris Moddelmog, it all starts with the basics.
“We just need to continue to get better at all phases of the game from now until February,” said Moddelmog. “We also want to improve our mental approach and become better baseball players all around.”
The team will begin the season against Angelo State in San Angelo, Texas, on Feb. 6
The team will then have to face national powerhouse Central Missouri at Rab Rogers Field.
The team will also face a grueling conference schedule while facing off against NCAA regional finalists Valdosta, West Alabama and Southern Arkansas.
Junior pitcher Mark Cain feels the team has done well in their progress so far.
“So far everyone on the team has brought out great energy each practice,” Cain said. “We have guys diving all over the field for balls during batting practice and just going all out all the time. That’s an exciting thing to watch even during practice.”
Returning to the team is Will Gowdy, who was last year’s GSC West Division player of the year, and Brock Green, last year’s GSC West Division freshman of the year.
Gowdy was also a GSC West Division All-GSC First Team selection last season, while Green was a second team selection.
According to Cain, both players, as well as others, are going to have to step up and lead the team this year.
“We have a lot of good leaders on our team, a lot of guys that have been here for a few years,” Cain said. “Some guys I see stepping up are Will Gowdy, Kevin Bird, Payne Spence, Sam McGill, Luke Hardcastle, Brock Green and myself.”
Coach Moddelmog feels that the pitching rotation will consist of about 12 players, and includes some who are inexperienced at the college level, but he feels that they could be very good.
“We have a chance to be pretty good on the mound,” Moddelmog said. “We should have a deeper pitching staff, 1-12, but we have a lot of guys who have not pitched at this level. Will Gowdy, Payne Spence and Zach Treece all had very good years for us last season and we look for them to lead the way on the mound.”
Although the regular season does not start until February, the team looks to build on the 37-20 season last year.
The team is hoping to accomplish their goals by preaching consistency and fundamentals.
“Our first team goal is to play hard every day and come together as a team,” Moddelmog said. “Another goal is to win the GSC West and get to a Regional and then anything can happen from there. We want to become a consistent team who is peaking at the end of the season.“
