By: Nick King
As the heart of baseball season approaches, Bellarmine’s team has a current record of 12 – 6. Head coach Larry Owens and his team are very excited for conference play.
Owens said: “Goals for the end of the season are to first and more importantly, get our guys to graduate with a great degree. Secondly, to win as many games as possible, and then win the GLVC East. Taking games day by day, our end goal is to win the NCAA Tournament.”
Returning almost all of its impact players, Bellarmine looks to do great things in not only conference play but also in the Division II NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament.
Owens said: “We, as a team, rely on everyone. Everyone has a role to fill. The number-one rule is to be a good teammate. Seniors play a huge role in leadership.”
Key players include First Team All-GLVC finalists Brady Pfaadt (catcher), Hunter Spencer (pitcher) and Eddie Mathis (pitcher). Also, returning are Second Team All-GLVC players Drew Greenwood (infield), Griffin Neuer (outfield/pitcher), Alex Phillips (outfield/pitcher), and Zac Wiley (outfield/pitcher).
“With all of the talent that is returning, there is not a team out there that we fear. We are the best we have been in years both talent and in work ethic, and we plan to do something with it,” Pfaadt said.
Bellarmine has strong senior leadership, but the Knights also have a very bright future ahead with freshmen who are playing exceptionally well. Alex Cleverly (catcher), Brandon Pfaadt (pitcher and younger brother of Senior Brady Pfaadt), and Jacob Mulcahy (infielder).
“When we recruit, we want to balance every recruiting class,” Owens said. “Right now we’ll lose impact players, but we recruit in a way that we are never nervous for the next season. Key players in each class will step up in big ways.”
Senior Willie Poe said: “I am returning to campus next year for a fifth year, and I cannot wait to be back in the locker room when these freshmen are sophomores. But, I can’t get ahead of myself… this year is our year.”
The strengths this team has besides its leadership is depth and chemistry.