For many of the baseball fans around the nation, the end of this year’s Super Bowl marked the beginning of the baseball season. For the HU Pipers, however, this marks the beginning of a huge bounceback season that is a product of all of the hard work and dedication poured into this past off season.
Following a “disappointing year for us from a win/loss side” that saw the Pipers finish with a 10–28 overall record, Head Coach Jim Weyandt looks to build off last season and to improve in major ways.
Going into his 12 year as head coach, Weyandt believes that consistency will be the key to Piper victories this season.
“We can compete with anyone but we have to be more consistent everyday, and I think we have done a better job with that,” Weyandt said. “Everyday, we focus on the little things that can turn close games into more victories for us in the 2024 season.”
Along with the goal of playing more consistent ball, the Pipers will also have to look to their pitching staff to win them games in the upcoming season. One major hole to fill for the staff is that left by the departure of Zach Branson, who pitched over 55 innings for the past 3 consecutive seasons, topping off at 69 innings pitched back in 2021.
“It is going to be some big innings to fulfill this year,” junior pitcher Dalton Maxwell said. “I have zero doubt that, with more guys stepping up into a larger role, that we will not only get the job done, but have a great year. The daily competition in the program is awesome. Guys realize that the window is wide open to earn yourself opportunities this season.”
Despite intense competition with his fellow pitchers, Maxwell believes that the whole team benefits from it.
“I haven’t seen a closer group of guys all working towards a goal together in my first two years in the program,” Maxwell said. “It’s exciting to see and we are all eager to get back on the field and compete.”
When there are these levels of wide open competition, a player must have a plan to attack every day to improve their chance of getting their number called. Parker Leipzig, a junior right handed pitcher, believes that he has found his key to success.
“Day-to-day, I make sure to stick to a routine like a proper warm-up, focusing on my game of catch, and then finishing up with good post-practice mobility and lifting,” Leipzig said. “To stay at the top of the depth chart, you have to always put in the extra work to keep yourself sharp and to continue to improve. Being confident in yourself is also very important.”
Along with the pitching staff taking a big step up this season, the position players look to be a major improvement according to coach Weyandt.
“I think we have more depth and athleticism on the position player side of things this year then we have had the past few seasons which I am excited about,” Weyandt said.
Senior infielder Braeden Bourne believes that the improvements in position players will lead to good competition for the top spots.
“I think the best thing about our group is that we all want to make each other better so we’re always competing and offering each other pointers when we have them,” Bourne said. “We love to learn from each other and the communication we have helps us to be the best infielders that we can be.”
Other improvements for the Pipers have lie in their defense, bunting, and baserunning, all of which are “key part[s] of our preparation so far” according to Coach Weyandt. “I think our speed and defense have improved a lot this year and can be strengths of the team.”
The Pipers opening non-conference game is on Feb. 18 vs. Buena Vista while they look to start MIAC play on March 30 against Saint Mary’s.