It’s been 709 days since the Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team has taken to the diamond due to the long Covid-19 layoff. That all changes as the Hawks head to Farmville, Virginia for a three-game set against Longwood University starting on February 18.
“Not playing in basically two years, that’s a tough one but I think we’re ready,” head coach Brian Hollamon said. “I think we’ve done everything that we’re supposed to do to be prepared and now it’s just time to go take care of business.”
Taking the hill for the first time in nearly two years on Friday will be righty Cameron Bratton, with Noah Covington and Evan Nibblett on the bump Saturday and Sunday.
With the large gap in time since the Hawks have played, it’ll be a combination of upperclassmen and several newcomers that will look to make their mark on the program.
“We’re gonna have guys on the field that haven’t played a college game ever and that’s gonna be a little challenging,” Hollamon said. “The game doesn’t change, it’s just the emotional side that’s always tough, but I think we’ve got guys that are ready to make that happen.”
Holloman expects several of the key members of the 2020 squad to continue being anchors for the Hawks, with student-athletes like Nick Roets and Andrew Revels being key in the dirt, while upperclassmen Brian Cordell, a preseason Black College Nines second team selection, and Bryan Widdowson patrol the outfield.
Sophomore and mountain of a man Alex McCoy is expected to bring the lumber at first during his first season in the maroon and silver, while Southern University transfer Derrick Mayes II will see major time in the outfield, bringing his switch-hitting and defense to the Shore.
“Our experience is the strength but it’s also a weakness too,” Holloman said. “We’re kind of in that place where it’s tough, because we have graduated a lot of guys over the years.”
The pitching staff for the Hawks follows a similar line, with upperclassmen holding the starting rotation spots – Derrick Rabb Jr. is also expected to have several starts this season – while the underclassmen will be called upon out of the pen to establish themselves. Those starters were able to show length during the intrasquad scrimmages during the offseason.
“The starting rotation, I’m excited to see them get out there,” pitching coach Shawn Phillips said. “They haven’t really played in almost two years, so they’re chomping at the bit and just excited to get out there – take all that hard work they put in this offseason and the fall, put that into motion.”
Blake Rebstock, a graduate student, is expected to be the main man out of the pen, with sophomore Alec Greenblatt and freshman Tyler Prather showing well during scrimmages.
A positive for the Shore are experienced catchers Tyler Woodward, a senior, and Ryan Howe, a junior, having worked with the starters for several years while also being able to give a confidence boost to the young arms in the pen.
Overall, the coaching staff is excited to show out early on and make the Hawks a serious contender once Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play starts. Despite coming last in preseason voting, Hollamon is nothing but confident after seeing the work his guys have put in as they return to real collegiate play.
“You recognize some guys as competitors,” Hollamon said. “The old saying, ‘gamers,’ guys do go out and play the game different sometimes. You should be playing it a certain way every time, but there is a certain reality to it that it does change things – it brings out the best in some guys.”
Long Drive to Longwood
The Hawks first opponent of the year did not have the same hold as the Shore, as Longwood University played a full season in 2021 – going 17-32 in the process, playing better at home with an 11-14 record. It was a tough season for the Lancers, going 10-25 in the Big South against the likes of Campbell and USC Upstate.
Last playing in 2019, the Hawks took the first game of a pair of doubleheaders 3-0, before falling 2-4, 1-6 and 3-4 the rest of the weekend. Several Hawks were on that 2019 squad, including Brian Cordell, Marcus Brown and Nick Roets.
Longwood will be led in the lineup this weekend by Eliot Dix, Hayden Harris and Jack Schnell – all of whom batted at least .325/.410/.410 while starting over 40 games. Overall as a team, the Lancers hit .273/.367/.384 while stealing at a 65% clip.
Batters for the Shore will be taking on Andrew Potojecki, Kevin Warunek and Dominic D’Ercole during the first series of the season. Potojecki 2-2 with a 3.24 ERA in six starts and 13 appearances over 41.2 IP for the Lancers, while D’Ercole was 3-3 with a 7.11 ERA in eight starts and 12 appearances over 44.1 IP – Saturday starter Warunek is a freshman who will be making his first collegiate start.
Friday’s (February 19) first pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m. at Buddy Bolding Stadium, Saturday (February 20) will begin at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday’s (February 21) getaway game will start at 1:00 p.m.