Players prepare to swing into action with first home game

The baseball team will open the season today against Texas Wesleyan University in Belton.

Last year the team closed out with a  21-18-1 overall record, and 14-7 in conference play.That marked the first time UMHB had made the playoffs since becoming a part of the American Southwest Conference.

Nine UMHB players placed on the ASC-West Division Team last season, and Head Coach Micah Wells was named ASC Division Coach of the Year.

Although the Cru did not close out the season with a win, they are ready to improve their standing.

“It was great to get into the play-offs, but it was bittersweet. There was a feeling of falling short,” Wells said.

He believes the players’ driving motivation to succeed this season is a result of the previous year’s experiences.

“Last season was a great step  forward, and we have the biggest group of senior players returning that I have ever had since I have coached here,” he said. 

Wells expects several players to stand out this season, including Steven Riley, Adam Froeschl, Joseph Villegas, R.B. Garza, Brady Honeycutt, Chris Joshlin  and Jonathan King.

Riley is a senior first baseman who has played for the Crusaders since his freshman year. Wells said Riley is a big offensive and defensive player and a great team leader.

Senior Froeschl plays the positions of second base and catcher. Wells claims Froeschl is also a great hitter who can really play any position. Villegas is a sophomore power-hitter who will bat second in the line-up and also play right field.  R.B. Garza is a junior pitcher and second baseman who has also been playing at UMHB since he was a freshman.

“It has been a long time waiting,” Garza said, referring to  the start of spring practice. “We really wanted to win the conference, but I believe we have great senior leadership this season, and we are even stronger than last year.”

Wells looks forward to three key team members who will fill the catcher’s spot.

Senior Brady Honeycutt is a transfer student from the University of Texas-Pan American. Sophomore King and freshman Joshlin will help split catcher’s duties as well.

“At catcher, we are better than we’ve been in a long time,” Wells said.

The fiercest competition in the western conference will be Texas Lutheran, Hardin-Simmons and Concordia University, Wells said.

UMHB is ranked fourth in the preseason polls. Wells said if the team advances to the ASC finals this season, he thinks UT-Tyler will be a tough competitor. 

“The greatest thing I can say is that these guys are in this as a unit, and that is what it takes,” he said.

UMHB is scheduled to take on Southwestern Assemblies of God  Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. in Belton.