2017 Baseball Season Preview
IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas baseball team has its eyes on taking big steps in 2017. Even though the Crusaders only improved two wins (12) from 2015 to last season, the amount of Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) victories doubled as UD finished 8-10 and 5th in the standings. Dallas was 9-8 at home and won every three-game series at the friendly confines in 2016.
Dallas opens the 2017 season at home versus Sul Ross State University on February 4. A doubleheader is that day before the three-game series wraps up the next day.
UD increased its roster size from 26 to 31. While there is an influx of new guys (16 players) with 12 freshmen, the 15 returners (7 seniors) look to improve on the field in the win column and shoot for a top four spot in the SCAC Tournament that will be held at the Quick Trip Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, from April 28-30.
"The main goal this season is to compete in every game and put ourselves in a position to win," Head Coach Joe Myers stated, "Reaching the conference tournament is another goal. Missing the tournament by 1 game last year, and who we have returning makes that an expectation this year."
Myers begins his third season at the helm of the Crusaders and seventh with the program since starting as an assistant coach. Myers is joined by Michael Schweiss ('12), who will be serving his first year as an assistant coach on staff. The prior two years, the school's saves record holder was a volunteer assistant. Another former UD athlete, Luciano Villanueva ('16), has been assisting the squad as volunteer this preseason.
Below is a breakdown the positions.
PITCHERS
Five-of-seven seniors are pitchers. Anchoring the starting rotation is Ryan Hammonds (Cedar Hill, Texas). The opening day starter last year produced 10 appearances (8 starts) and was 2-4 with a 3.78 ERA in 47.2 innings. He was 2nd on the staff in strikeouts (25) and innings thrown. His ERA ranked 3rd overall on the staff (pitchers with at least 9 appearances).
"Ryan Hammonds will be the key guy on the mound," Myers praised. "He was the ace last year and won some big games. The games that we lost when he was pitching, he did a great job at keeping us close enough to have a chance."
The only pitcher back on the roster with more punch outs (33) and lower ERA is fellow classmate William Marshall (Frisco, Texas). The reliever logged 44 innings in 20 appearances out of the bullpen and spun a 3.48 ERA. Eric Felchak (The Woodlands, Texas) started all 13 games and posted a team-most 53.2 innings. Blake Palmer (Coppell, Texas) and Cole Morden (Arlington, Texas) each tallied double-digit appearances at 17 and 13, respectively. Palmer had a pair of starts.
Other returning pitchers from last year are juniors Abraham Griesbauer (Troy, Mo.) and Kyle Gamez (Burleson, Texas). Griesbauer stepped on the mound 15 times (8 starts) and threw 40.2 innings. Gamez hurled 17.1 innings in 12 outings. There are seven new arms on the roster including: William Bresnahan (Windham, N.H.), Nick Goehring (Phoenix, Ariz.), Austin Offutt (Frisco, Texas), Brandon Provence (Fairview, Texas), Zachary Taylor (Humble, Texas), and Conrad Voss (Corona, Calif.), Daniel Waehner (Libertyville, Ill.).
CATCHERS
Zach San Roman (Miami, Fla.) ranks third on the active roster from last season in hits (33) and batting average (.277). The senior powered a pair of home runs and drove in 14 runners to rank 2nd on the team in each category. Paul Scioli (Lubbock, Texas) and Joseph Griesbauer (Troy, Mo.) also are projected to see time behind the dish. Scioli played 20 games (15 starts) in his rookie season, although some of that time was in left field. He batted .224 with 11 hits, seven runs scored, and five RBI.
INFIELDERS
Dallas returns a steady middle of the infield with JP Fasone (Englewood, Colo.) and Josh Abalos (Lewisville, Texas). Fasone is the other senior position player. The two-year letter winner produced career-highs in most offensive categories in 2016 including: batting average (.291), hits (37), doubles (4), runs scored (12), and RBI (13). Abalos posted a .286 average with 36 hits, two doubles, seven ribbies, 17 walks (team-best) and 19 runs scored (team-best). The tandem return as the top two hitters in hits, average, and stolen bases. They combined for 19 steals with abalos swiping 11.
"JP Fasone and Josh Abalos will be key factors up the middle of the field defensively as we hope the gelling process between those guys make the middle a strong defensive plus for us, Myers explained. "Both guys are coming off of good offensive seasons as well."
Mark Peterson is the other returning infielder from last season. He posted a team-high three homers and finished second in runs batted in with 21. The corner infielder compiled 28 hits, four doubles, two triples, and 15 runs scored. He was the lone Crusader to start in all 40 contests.
Brice Cell (Keller, Texas) and Luke Boylson (Fairview, Texas) are two transfers. Boylson is the brother of fellow UD alumn Zach Boylson ('15) who was a two-year letter winner that played his junior and senior year just like his sibling. The younger Boylson is also expected to see time in the outfield.
"Bryce Cell and Zach Bolyson are 2 JUCO transfers that give us some experience and some pop at the plate," Myers stated. "They have been around so we expect them to help right away."
Taylor and Goehring are two players that throw from the left side and will be two-way players that pitch and could slot at first base. Seth Hanson (Apache Junction, Ariz.), Nathan Patton (McKinney, Texas), and Stephen Byers (Front Royal, Va.) complete the infield.
OUTFIELDERS
Dallas enters with some new faces vying for playing time. Jordan Stickler (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Jake McCoy (Fort Worth, Texas) are the two returners from last season. Stickler played in 22 games (6 starts) and scored seven runs. McCoy etched 16 outings (9 starts) with time in the designated hitter spot. A corner outfielder, McCoy did hit .256 with 10 hits, a home run, three RBI, and five runs scored.
As mentioned above, Boylson could be helping the outfield. Other newcomers include: Colby Davenport (Crockett, Texas), Nicolas Hovde (Waco, Texas), Jake Schwartz (Geneva, Ill.) and Enrique Vigil (San Antonio, Texas)
QUOTABLES FROM COACH MYERS
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH: "Three Freshman that we are excited about are Zachary Taylor, Nathan Patton and Conrad Voss. They had extremely good falls and showed good improvement. They came into the spring looking like they did some work over the break. Excited to see how their roles pan out over the course of the season."
CIRCLE THESE OPPONENTS: "Obviously Trinity being the defending D3 champs is always a series you look at. You want to play and compete against the best. That's what makes it fun. TLU will be a good challenge as they return their ace and Southwestern is that team every year where you can expect tough games with high intensity."
KEYS TO SUCCESS: "We have to be able to catch and throw at a high level. We work on that every day. Our offense is set up to be able to produce runs, but pitching and defense ultimately was the reason we didn't make the tournament, so we need to be good in those areas."
WHY I COACH AT UD: "Seeing the process of where the team is headed is the best part. I knew when taking over the head coach position, we had to establish a new culture first and foremost. I think we have established that. Now with some recruiting classes under our belt and quality senior leadership, we can see the culture and talent play together on a field. It is fun seeing that progress being made with still a ways to go, but I am excited to see how this team performs."
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