[Baseball] Season Preview: Falcons Embark on New Season Today vs. Peru State
WICHITA, Kan. — The Friends University baseball team embarks on a new season this weekend, in head coach Adam Neisius' 12th year at the helm.
The Falcons return a slew of players from last season in which they opened with a 5-0 record, their best start since 2015 when they won the first nine games.
KCAC Freshman of the Year Devin Dodson (SO/Colorado Springs, Colo.) returns for his sophomore campaign after posting a 5-2 record in ten starts. Dodson was second on the team with 58 strikeouts, including a career-high 11 against Sterling.
"Devin brings us consistency every time he goes out," Neisius said. "We will depend on him to be a quality starter the entire season."
The Falcons also return several key pieces from the NAIA's top defense a season ago. Shortstop Elerie Rivera (SR/Patillas, Puerto Rico) and third baseman Jared Berard (SR/Tacoma, Wash.) are back for their senior seasons.
"We have the majority of our position players back from last year, and I think all of them are better players and will give us a chance to win every time out," Neisius said. "I think we're a more physical team this year, and our team speed has greatly improved"
A first-team All KCAC selection and gold glove winner, Rivera led the team in batting average (.409), hits (76), triples (7), and slugging percentage (.575) while finishing tied for second with 27 RBIs. Rivera's season was highlighted by a school-record six stolen bases in a win over Central Christian College, and he enjoyed a 14-game hit streak.
Berard also won a Gold Glove after making several exemplary defensive plays for the Falcons last season. He ended the year with a fielding percentage of .947 and aided the Falcons with the second-best batting average (.318) on the team.
"Staying healthy will be the key. We will need every arm to compete and let our defense make plays for them. We led the country last year in fielding percentage, and our pitchers need to let them play."
The Falcons will also look to lean on a few transfers and incoming freshmen this season.
"Buster Hardman (SO/American Fork, Utah) is a transfer from Utah Valley University and is a great player in all phases that will make an immediate impact for us," Neisius said. "Niquan Benjamin (FR/US Virgin Islands), a freshman from the U.S. Virgin Islands, has been a great addition and will be a great player in our program for the next four years. And, Nolan Crumrine (FR/Sedgwick, Kan.) might be the most composed freshman we've ever had and will log innings this spring."
The Falcons open the season this weekend with a home series against Peru State before traveling to square off against Texas A&M-Texarkana on Feb. 4-5. Friends opens conference play on Mar. 1 with a home game against Oklahoma Wesleyan.
The Falcons will play five teams ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA preseason coaches' poll, with (RV) Southwestern Christian and (20) Oklahoma City University coming to West Side Athletic Field. Friends will travel to No. 14-ranked USAO and (RV) Ottawa.