BATTER, BATTER ... SWING!: OKWU diamond warriors eye opener
Spring has a different calendar when it comes to college baseball.
While the flower buds might still be just seeds of imagination for their mother plant and mornings might still have that chilly bite, the Oklahoma Wesleyan University diamond program will already be in full bloom.
The Eagles are set to swing into action on Jan. 27, when they host Ecclesia (Ark.) College.
In fact, prior to Valentine's Day, OKWU should have played nine home games (weather permitting), three against Ecclesia, three against Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) University and three against Lyon (Ark.) College.
OKWU has scheduled 17 games the first 32 days of the season.
Veteran Eagle skipper Kirk Kelley held his first practice Monday, presiding for a crew that has a heavy veteran imprint.
This will be Kelley's seventh season overall as OKWU head coach, and fifth since his return in 2019.
The team has produced major success during his leadership, including qualifying in 2021 for the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho. Back in 2011, he also navigated OKWU to the national championship in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association.
But, in 2022 season, OKWU had to scrap through adversity but still finished with a .667 winning percentage (38-19), while just missing out on returning to the NAIA regionals. A rare five game losing streak in conference competition proved to be the toughest obstacle for the Eagles to surmount.
But, this year's squad appears more in the mode of the 2021 powerhouse, which finished 49-11, won a NAIA regional and earned a spot in Lewiston.
Some of prime-time returnees and proven talent are:
-- Nicholas Chavez (catcher): He is back for his third year as a starter. 2022 offensive stats: .359 BA, 11 2Bs, 3 HRs, 30 RBIs.
-- A'Darius Council (infielder): Council didn't play last season but made a huge impact in 2021. 2021 offensive stats: .327 BA, 13 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 13 HRs, 46 RBIs.
-- Hector Manon (shortstop): A third-year starter. 2022 offensive stats: .311 BA, 14 2Bs, 3 HRs, 45 RBIs.
-- Jesus Rojas (outfielder): A returning starter. 2022 offensive stats: .286 BA, 6 2Bs, 7 HRs, 36 RBIs.
-- Josh Logan (outfielder): Played in 40 games in 2022. 2022 offensive stats: .274 BA, 7 2Bs, 6 HRs, 37 RBIs.
-- Tommy Davis (infielder): Played in 40 games last season. 2022 offensive stats: 21 runs scored, 11 RBIs.
-- Kellen Brothers (pitcher): Brothers returns for a third season. 2022 pitching stats: 7-4, 2 saves, 4.28 ERA, 96.2 IP, 134 Ks, 38 BBs, 5 complete games.
-- Evan Foor (pitcher): Back for his third year. 2022 pitching stats: 6-3, 5.06 ERA, 58.2 IP, 43 Ks, 28 BBs, 1 complete game.
-- Michael Mendoza (pitcher): He didn't throw last season. 2021 pitching stats: 5-1, 5.06 ERA, 37.1 IP, 38 Ks, 9 BBs.
Another returnee that has impressed Kelley is pitcher Erick Nova. Last season he peeled off a 4-1 record, with an 8.44 ERA, 26.2 IP, 44 strikeouts and 33 BBs.
"He had a really, really good fall," Kelley said.
Two newcomers that could make an impact early are first baseman Jordan Smith, who transferred from Grambling, and outfielder Aaron Gerdes, a former starter at Pittsburg (Kan.) State.
Overall, "I think it's an hungry group," Kelley said about his 2023 team.
He praised the grit of last year's team, but added that "with all the craziness, it's nice to hit the reset button. I like our starting pitching. I think we have a nice combination of power and speed in the lineup."
Kelley's yearly records at OKWU. (Conference mark is in parentheses.)
2010: 25-31 (12-8)
2011: 39-28 (10-10)
2019: 45-11 (28-5)
2020: 14-14 (3-5)
2021: 49-11 (31-6)
2022: 38-19 (20-14)
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Oklahoma Wesleyan University's baseball program opens Jan. 27
