OKWUeagle.com

OKWU baseball team members look on during a scrimmage. (Hannah Hopkins / OKWUeagle.com)

The 2009-2010 year at Oklahoma Wesleyan University has been full of many changes and surprises.The opening of the Janice and Charles Drake library, Lisa and Mark Roberts fitness annex, Lewis Alumni park, the John 9:25 statue, the largest freshman class in OKWU history and the new softball program are just a few of the changes students have experienced this year.

There is another area on campus, however that has seen significant amounts of change this year— the baseball team. With 17 new players out of the 29-man roster and two new coaches, head coach Kirk Kelly and assistant coach Andy Bettis, the team has seen its share of change.

At the first fall team meeting, there were many unfamiliar faces for both the players and the coaches. The room may have been quiet at first, but soon conversations were running wild as if everyone had known each other for years.

“We all get along really well. Every single guy on the team is a ‘standout guy’ in my mind,” said outfielder/second basemen, Josh Hemsoth, freshman.

It did not take long for Kelly to implement change within the program and share his vision for OKWU baseball with his new players.

His goals for the team include: better grades, hard work ethic, a winning season, and a group of gentlemen who glorify Christ on and off the field.

“Coach Kelly knows how to handle his players and relate to them. He expects us to work hard on the field and in the classroom,” said outfielder Johnny Porter, junior. “He treats us like men … because of that we work harder and have more fun out there.”

The emphasis on grades did not go unrewarded – the team finished grades this fall semester with a 2.93 average. Seven players on the team made a 3.5 or higher and six players made above a 3.0 average.

However, a significant improvement in the classroom was just the start.

After a long fall of four to five hour practices a day, the baseball team was ready to show everyone a new edge.

On February 6th, the team traveled to Arkadelphia, Ark. to play a triple-header at Henderson State University. The team played two games against Mid-America Nazarene University (KS) and came out on top beating them 4-0 in the first game and a nail-biting 7-6 in the second. The third game, against Henderson State University (AR), left the Eagle(s) taking the win from HSU’s home field with a smashing 14-11 victory.

“This year I feel like the returning players have a lot more experience and the new players have a lot of talent. There’s a good energy on the team and we really push ourselves and each other,” Porter said.

So what can be expected from the OKWU Eagles’ baseball team this season? How will they be any different from the previous years?

“I really think out of my four years at playing here, this will be our best season yet,” said outfielder Matt Rice, senior. “We really challenge each other and have fun out there.”

This season expect the Eagles to be, “a great base running team. That will definitely be our best attribute,” said Hemsoth. “We should also be a great hitting team as well. Offensively we should be very solid.”

With a tough season ahead, especially in the notorious Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference, the Eagles have proven that they are prepared for the long, challenging season ahead.

Die-hard Eagles fans should grab some sunflower seeds and head out to Doenges Stadium to cheer on the baseball team. The next home games are Friday and Saturday, February 19 and 20, at noon.