BISMARCK, ND - On offense, University of Mary fans can expect to see a pretty similar look to what they saw last year, but with a bit more firepower. That firepower will be added in the form of newly-added junior Jesus Payan.
 
A transfer from Cedar Valley Community College in Texas, Payan hit .381 with 68 RBIs and six homeruns last year. He will add experience and pop into the middle of the lineup for UMary.
 
Payan's bat will be added to a lineup that featured an array of sophomore and junior prospects a year ago. Junior infielder/pitcher Travis Stevens started 32 games and hit .326 with two homeruns. Outfielder Christopher Scott, who compiled 40 starts in a streaky sophomore campaign, had several series in which he tallied five or more hits last season. Senior catcher Cody Ghents hit .290 in his 11 starts. Junior infielder Darius Barlas hit .412 over the first month of last season, and was very impressive with the glove all season long. 
 
While experiencing spurts of great success last season, the young UMary squad struggled to find consistency. Now with all of these players juniors and seniors, along with seasoned returners Daulton Sauce, Nick McCann, Connor Doll, and Austen DuBriel, the offense certainly seems ready to make the leap.
 
Another new addition is at hitting coach with Casey Scott, who is In his first season as hitting and infield coach for the Marauders. Scott was drafted in the 47th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies. He chose college over minor league baseball and elected to attend Arizona Western College for two years. He then went on to play at Campbellsville University, where he won two conference championships. If his name sounds a little familiar, that would be because Marauders outfielder Chris Scott is his younger brother.
 
The Marauders open the 2018 season on Friday, March 2, with a doubleheader against Gannon University in Auburndale, FL. UMary will play ten games during its spring trip. 
 
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