After a 2012 season that saw the Govs baseball team becoming 40-24 against Division I opponents last year, and coming very close to winning the regionals, one has to wonder what is next for the Govs.
With the depth, superb pitching, commendable defense and the 25 years of experience from head coach Gary McClure it is hard not to envision success for the APSU baseball team. Many of the components that led to the achievements of last year are still intact. Pitcher Casey Delgado had an earned run average of 5.59 last season and made a tremendous impact.
“Our biggest goal is to get back to the regionals and we need to win one”, Delgago said. He also admits that mid-week opponents are very crucial to having a successful season for them.
McClure said he plans to take the talent they have and maximize it as much as possible, getting the best out of players such as pitcher Delgado, middle infielder Reed Harper and catcher P.J. Torres. All the players from the Govs baseball team are trying to contribute positively to achieve team success.
The unselfishness, team-first attitude and the will to win is further noted by second basemen Jordan Hankins. “We came very close to winning the regionals the last few years, and we have the tools to do it this year. We’re not going to stop until we reach those goals,” Hawkins said.
It should be interesting to see how the Govs take the experience they have gained from going so far into the postseason last year and use it as a stepping stone this year. The season starts with them facing the University of Iowa Friday, Feb. 15.
On the opposite side, the Lady Govs softball team has high hopes of getting into the postseason. They have a new coaching staff and a group of young talented players who have not been to the postseason yet. Junior pitcher Lauren deCastro has goals of getting more strikeouts, more ground balls and not giving out as many walks in previous seasons.
Coach Stephanie Paris and the Lady Govs have their goals set at making it into the OVC tournament.
Paris said she believes their strengths are that they are decent in the circle, but admits they have faced struggles with their hitting through the history of the team.
With players such as senior Morgan Brewer, junior deCastro, and junior Taylor Mills, the Lady Govs will have to see if they can turn their offensive troubles around this year.
“The coaching staff is building them up as one unit instead of individuals, and it will be hard for people to play them … it will not be the old APSU that everyone knew”, said Jessica Ryan. They open their season on Saturday, Feb. 9, against East Tennessee State, and hope to turn things around this year.
