Baseball students get ready for season ahead

This season will be his last in a Cadetuniform. When senior pitcher Ryan Kelly steps out onto the diamond, he will reflect on his last three years as a Norwich athlete.

"I want to go out with a bang," said Kelly, a 22-year-old physical education major from Niskayuna, N.Y.

The baseball team was 8-28 last year with a conference record of 5-9.

"My hope for this season is to host a playoff game and compete for a GNACchampionship," said head coach John Rhodes. "My goals are to improve every day and display a solid work ethic as well. One of the goals we have as a team is to at least double our wins from last year which means winning at least half our games in which it would be a great improvement from the previous years."

"If we win a reasonable amount of games this year there is no doubt in my mind we have a good shot at a championship game," said Kelly.

"The team is young this year but is very talented so we'll see how things turn out," said Mitch Blair, a 20-year-old junior business major from Danby, Vt.

"We have nine freshmen this year in which a majority of the young kids will be key contributors this year," said Rhodes.

The outfield is all freshmen, and there are only four seniors on the team.

"So the older guys have to lead by example and guide the younger ones throughout the season," said Dyke.

The team heads to Arizona for spring break.

"Arizona is going to be a big trip for us and I hope we come out strong every game and compete to the best of our ability," said Travis Dyke, 22, a senior criminal justice major from Lewiston, Maine.

"The captains have not been named yet because I want to see what happens in Arizona. I want to see who is going to step up as leaders for our team," said Rhodes.

 "I am really excited to see what happens this season. If things turn out as I expect I think we will do just fine," said Rhodes.

The baseball team opens its season in Tuscon, Ariz., with a double header against Dakota Wesleyan on March 14. 

"This is my last season and I want it to be a memorable one and hopefully when it's all said and done we win a GNAC title," said Kelly.