BISMARCK, ND – After the excitement from big improvement last year and a subsequent whirlwind offseason, the University of Mary baseball team is more than ready to take the field this weekend. The Marauders open their 2020 schedule with four games in Cleburne, TX, at the 4 Him Classic.
 
The Marauders made major strides in the 2019 season, improving by 12 wins overall and jumping six slots in the Northern Sun standings under the direction of first-year head coach Mark Moriarty. A major reason for the jump was an improvement in pitching as the Marauders dropped the team earned run average (7.24 in 2018 to 5.65 in 2019), reduced walks and increased strikeouts (5.3/nine innings to 8.1).
 
Major League Baseball took note of the Marauders pitching improvements through the use of cutting edge technology. In November, the Minnesota Twins tabbed Moriarty for a role developing pitchers in the minor leagues, forcing the Marauders to make a coaching change just prior to the start of the season.
 
Enter Tanner Spencer. After making an impact as an assistant coach at a pair of NCAA Division II programs through incorporating technology into player development, Spencer was tabbed as the next UMary coach in middle December. Familiar with the NSIC, Spencer served as the assistant head coach and pitching coach for a Minot State University team that last season set a school record for wins, advanced to the finals of the league tournament and broke the school record for strikeouts.
 
In addition to Spencer, the Marauders feature several new faces all over the diamond. Senior outfielder Jaxon Ford is the lone returning UMary player who had over 90 at bats last season. The Marauders do return their five top pitchers in terms of innings, led by Jonathan Draheim. Parker McRae, Zac Martin, Andrew Brooks and Daniel Turner.
 
INFIELD
Newcomer Spencer Gillund looks to make an impact in the middle of the Marauders infield. The junior from Enderlin, ND transferred to UMary after spending last season at NCAA Division I North Dakota State University and playing two seasons at Bismarck State College. The former NJCAA All-American and two-time all-region selection for the Mystics also played parts of two seasons for the Bismarck Larks in the Northwoods League and is the Marauders NSIC Player to Watch.
 
The Marauders also have several others players who are competing for time on the infield. Paxton Thompson, a transfer from NCAA Division I Bradley who is projected as the Marauders number one pitcher, can play on the infield when he isn't on the mound. Freshman Calvin James will fit on the left side of the infield for UMary, along with sophomore Braeton Wixo, who started much of last season at shortstop. A transfer from Miles City Community College, James Martin will see time at second base.
 
First baseman Alex Kowski and third baseman Quentin Evers, both sophomores, will see time on the corners and at designated hitter.
 
OUTFIELD
After playing center field the last two seasons, Ford moves into a starting role in left field. The Marauders most experienced starter, the Bismarck, ND, native led UMary in runs scored last season with 29. Second on the team in doubles with nine, he also stole ten bases and posted a .352 on base percentage.
 
NJCAA All-Region player Ty Jones will play center field for the Marauders and should provide an immediate impact with his bat. A transfer from Miles City, Jones will also start on the hill for UMary.
 
The Marauders have several options for right field, including freshman Jon Prokop and sophomores Jaxon Kostka and Brandon Schultz.  
 
CATCHER
The Marauders will feature a handful of players behind the plate. Bismarck State Alec Battest is a native of Beulah, ND, and looks to start. Sophomore William Kranz, who saw considerable action behind the dish last year, and junior Mason Huntley, who missed last season with injury, are also vying for time.  
 
STARTING PITCHING
Several Marauders will see time on the mound, especially when Northern Sun play begins with midweek doubleheaders.
 
Thompson is set to lead the Marauders starting staff. The sophomore was successful in limited action at Bradley last year. Righthander Mitch Oehme slots into the second slot after joining UMary from NCAA Division I South Dakota State. Returners Brooks and Turner also are anticipated to slot into the rotation to start the year.
 
Additionally Jones, Cole LaLonde and Draheim will work their way into the rotation.
 
RELIEF PITCHING
The depth of the Marauders pitching staff also shows in the group of relief pitchers. Vaughn Deinhart, Vincent Pieters, Brandon Gill, Evers, Paxton Miller, McRae, Martin and Liam Sommers are all expected to see significant action during the season.
 
"We have a detailed and hard-working group of players," said Spencer. "With what we do, we ask for so many finite details in everything we do and the guys always respond well. We're ready to roll.
 
"We won't set goals for wins, but we expect to be competitive in the NSIC. This will be an aggressive team that plays hard with a deep offense and depth on the mound."
 
The Marauders open the season with a pair of games at the 4 Him Classic on Friday, Jan. 31. UMary opens against tournament host Colorado Christian University at 4 pm before facing Rogers State University at 7:30 pm. On Saturday, Feb. 1, the Marauders face Southern Nazarene University as 12:30 pm. UMary wraps up the weekend with a single game on Sunday, Feb. 2, against an opponent yet to be determined.
 
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