After a semester and a half of drills, weights, running, scrimmages, drills, “chalk talks,” game-planning, roster-tweaking, and more drills, Charger baseball begins their season this weekend.
First-year head coach Eric Theisen leads the squad as they try to improve on last season’s record (20-25), which was the team’s best in a decade. Theisen said their season goal comes down to winning each game. But for the postseason?
“If we get into the conference tournament, anything can happen,” Theisen said.
The team holds the paradoxical distinction of being both young and experienced. Its roster boasts 15 sophomores, many of whom played extensively last season. Otherwise, it is made up of four freshman, seven juniors, and five seniors.
The Chargers open the 2014 season against Davis & Elkins College. Junior Shane Armstrong will take the mound in Louisville, Ky., on March 1 at 2 p.m.
Gordie Theisen, father and assistant coach to Eric Theisen, leads the pitching staff. He said the team has dropped its E.R.A. nearly a point each of the last three seasons, resulting in 2013’s 4.53 mark.
Bettering E.R.A. gets harder the lower it gets, but Gordie Theisen said the team hopes to do just that.
“That’s my job,” he said.
Besides Armstrong, the weekend’s starters will include senior Matt Reck, sophomore Jacob Gardner, and freshman Jacob Lee. For Gardner and Lee, these will be their first career starts.
The pitchers are generally healthy, Gordie Theisen said. The big exception is sophomore pitcher Lucas Hamelink, who was kicked in the hand by a horse in early February. He had surgery on his pinky and will be out for six more weeks.
“I told the pitchers his injury gives other guys opportunities, gives them experience, and makes us better and deeper,” Theisen said, while adding Hamlink would be missed.
Coming off of injury after an entire season’s absence is senior Tyler Haggerson.
“Today (Wednesday) is the first time he’s facing live batters in over a year,” Gordie Theisen said. “That is a good thing.”
Haggerson will see limited action during the early games as coaches ease him back into play. Haggerson, along with junior shortstop Vinny Delicata, was voted captain by the team.
Eric Theisen moved junior Nolan Breymaier from shortstop to third base and Delicata from second base to shortstop for this season. Junior Sean Bennett and sophomore Lincoln Reed will switch back and forth between catcher and first base.
Meanwhile, the outfield will be the same as last year.
Although he didn’t reveal the team’s opening day lineup, Eric Theisen said the team’s two, three, four, and five batters will be “a scary combo to deal with.”
The lineup generally consists of what Eric Theisen described as a “strange combination” of power and speed.
“Probably four or five guys are legitimate power threats,” he said. “But we only have two guys batting opening day with average or below average speed. We’re hoping that leads to some exciting offensive production.”
The team missed the GLIAC tournament by two games last season. Delicata said the team is excited about getting the season started and pursuing a tournament berth.
“Give everything, expect nothing,” Delicata said. “That’s our team motto.”