Baseball looks to bounce back from 10th place finish

A new baseball season brings new challenges, new opponents and a new opportunity to bring a Sun Belt Conference championship back to Monroe.

Winning back-to-back conference championships is a heavy task. The Warhawks learned that the hard way in 2013, finishing with a record of 18-36, and placing 10th in the Sun Belt. The team is eager to prove once again that they belong atop the conference.

“Our expectations are always the same here with the players, coaches and our community. We expect to win a conference championship and get to the regionals,” head coach Jeff Schexnaider said.

Expectations for the team have been higher than ever following the run to the 2012 Sun Belt Conference championship.

“This team has a little chip on their shoulder from last year not turning out the way we like it turn out. They’ve been practicing really hard and they’re ready to get started,” Schexnaider said.

Among the returning starters are outfielders Dalton Herrington and Justin Stawychny. Last year they accounted for a combined 76 runs and 58 RBI’s.

After finishing around the bottom of the pack last season in almost every offensive category, confidence in their ability remains high.

“We’re very confident. The new guys who’ve come in have heard about last season and the guys have a chip on their shoulder from last season. It’s a big change. Everything around here just feels different,” Stawychny said.

The non-conference home schedule features several interesting matchups. Games begin on Valentine’s Day when Grand Canyon State comes to Warhawk Field.  Southern Miss, Southeastern LA, Jackson State and Michigan State will also be coming to Monroe. Sun Belt play begins with a home matchup with UL-Lafayette.

The 2013 Warhawk Field attendance high was 2,418 for a game vs Ole Miss.