COLUMN: Baseball season is here
I will never lie in one of my columns.
And I’m not going to lie, this column was supposed to be about the women’s basketball team.
But after a 59-45 loss at Northern Illinois on Wednesday night, I have nothing to say.
If I did, it would go something like this. At noon Saturday, you have a game against Western Michigan, and you better bring it.
The happy thoughts about getting a first-round bye in the MAC tournament are quickly fading. Leave it all on the floor.
So instead, and in wake of the recent warm weather, let’s talk baseball.
Let’s talk MAC West championship baseball.
After winning the regular season MAC West title last year and falling one game short from winning the MAC tournament, the CMU baseball team is poised for a big season.
The team has already been picked to win the West Division again but that will not be the ultimate goal this team has.
This team should not stop until they reach the regional round (first round) of the College World Series.
This team has big bats, guy that can hit the gaps, and a pitching rotation that can carry them as far as they desire. Defense will certainly be key for this team to succeed, but that is something that continues to progress as the season goes on.
Junior first basemen Nate Theunissen, a reigning first-team All-MAC honoree, led the Chippewas last season in doubles, runs batted in and home runs.
Sophomores Jordan Dean and Brendan Emmett will both see time in the infield this season. Emmett led the team in walks last year and Dean showed glimpses of his young talent last season.
The catcher position may be one of the few question marks all season for this team.
But what makes this team so dangerous is its pitching staff.
The pitching staff only gave up two home runs at Theunissen Stadium all of last year. If that isn’t the best in the country then I don’t know what is.
After losing ace Jesse Hernandez to the majors, the rotation will see some new faces this year.
Junior Trent Howard will make his way back to the starting role after spending the second half of last season as the team’s closer. Senior Bryce Morrow’s move from the bullpen to starter worked out wonderfully last season and he is ready for a big year in the middle of the rotation.
Junior Zach Cooper will also find his way into the rotation after spending most of last season in the bullpen. Cooper picked up the win in the regular season’s final game last year to clinch the MAC West title.
To round out the pitching conversation is sophomore Dietrich Enns. Enns was a freshman All-American after going 7-0 last year in relief. Enns boasted a league-best 1.23 earned runs average and just a .168 batting average against in conference games.
Why am I talking so much about the baseball team? Why should you care about the baseball team?
Because they are good, and their season starts tonight in Fort Meyers, Fla., with a four-game stint against Florida Gulf Coast.
