2020 vision: Wildcat Baseball begins this weekend at home

ABILENE – It is finally here. Finally. The crack of the bat. The sound of the ball hitting the catcher's mitt. The buzz in the air. The smell of grilled burgers and hot dogs. The exchanging of lineup cards. All of it. It's all back once more. The 2020 baseball season begins this weekend at beautiful Crutcher Scott Field as the Wildcats begin their second year under head coach Rick McCarty. ACU will host the Utah Valley Wolverines of the Western Athletic Conference for a four-game set beginning on Friday, Feb. 14.

The Series

• Game 1: Friday, Feb. 14 (4:05 p.m.)
  • LHP Austin Wagner (ACU) vs. RHP Jesse Schmit (UVU)
• Game 2: Saturday, Feb. 15 (DH) (1:05 p.m.)
  • RHP Austin Ruesch (ACU) vs. RHP Bobby Voortmeyer (UVU)
• Game 3: Saturday, Feb. 15 (DH) (4:05 p.m.)
  • LHP Nate Hawkins (ACU) vs. RHP Romeo Carrillo (UVU)
• Game 4: Sunday, Feb. 16 (1:05 p.m.)
  • TBD vs. TBD

The History

• This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools in not just baseball, but in any collegiate sport. Utah Valley resides in Orem, Utah, and is a member of the Western Athletic Conference in baseball.

New Year, New Team

• It's going to be a completely new look for the Wildcats this spring, as the team returns just six players from the 2019 squad. 31 new players join the roster, including 16 transfers and 15 freshmen.
• Among the returners are Spencer Chirpich, Seth Watts, Ryne Randle, Colton Eager, Zach Smith, and Eric Wimpee.

 

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Head Coach Rick McCarty

On the excitement level for the upcoming season…
"We are really excited. The guys are ready to go up against someone besides themselves. It's going to have to be a collective effort this season. We have a lot of new players, but a lot of talented young guys too. I'm excited to get the season going."

On the offensive side of things…
"Well when you graduate a Major League draft pick in Luis Treviño, you have to try to fill that. It won't take just one guy. This will be a group effort. I'm excited to see what our offense can be this season."

On the pitching staff…
"A lot of new faces. We have Spencer Chirpich back, but for the most part it will be a brand new staff. I'm excited about a couple left-handers we have in Austin Wagner and Nate Hawkins, and we are excited to fill in the pieces in the bullpen for sure."

On the leadership…
"When you graduate as many seniors as we did (18), its up to the veterans to set the tone for the expectations and culture. However, we don't have a lot back either. So it's been a combination of coaches and players coming together to get us where we want to be. We are just really excited to get started."