Portsmouth, Ohio - Shawnee State baseball look to start the season off well this afternoon when they take on Indiana Wesleyan to open the 2018 season.
The Bears are looking to improve on last seasons' 14-35 record. SSU has re-tooled the roster with newcomers, joining a core from last season's team that will look to compete in the Mid-South Conference.
Chris Moore's team will have a young roster this season, but will return several key players. Junior catcher and outfielder Chase Thurber (JR/Andover, Ohio) is SSU's best returning hitter, with a .283 batting average, three home runs and a team-high 26 RBI. Some other key returners for SSU include JT Boggs (SR/South Shore, Kentucky), Casey Claflin (SR/Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio), Blake Marshall (JR/Lexington, Kentucky), Brady Knittel (SR/West Portsmouth, Ohio) and Christian Helton (JR/Lexington, Kentucky).
Shawnee State will be replacing much of their pitching staff after losing Derek Moore to graduation. SSU will depend on returners like James West, Brady Knittel, Sam Gerhold (SR/Shelton, Washington), Tyler Arthur (SR/Morehead, Kentucky) and Joe Spano (SO/Sunrise, Florida) for the bulk of their innings.
SSU also has a core group of new players that will play important roles in the upcoming season. Kyle Wisnewski heads up SSU's new class of pitchers and will likely fill a large role in the rotation. Seth Clement (FR/Kissimmee, Florida) can play both infield and pitcher and will likely play both positions during the year. Dalton Phillips (JR/Hastings, Michigan) will also be a welcome addition to the infield, providing a good bat and glove. SSU will also add Levi Jones (JR/Millersburg, Ohio) and Sky Oliver (FR) to the outfield.
"Overall, our team is more athletic and should hit the ball more than last season," said head coach Chris Moore. "As long as our pitching staff can keep us in games, we will have a chance to win this season. I feel good about the group we've brought in and about our returning group overall."
First pitch of Tuesday afternoon's game against Indiana Wesleyan is set for 1:00pm from UC Health Stadium in Florence, Kentucky.
