“By Allison Strouse [email protected] The University of Akron baseball team opened their season this past weekend in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Regardless of an 0-4 start to the season, head coach Pat Bangtson remains hopeful for the remaining games.”
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By Allison Strouse

[email protected]

The University of Akron baseball team opened their season this past weekend in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Regardless of an 0-4 start to the season, head coach Pat Bangtson remains hopeful for the remaining games.

Very disappointing as far as not being able to pick up at least one or two wins, head coach Pat Bangtson said. I saw signs of being able to pitch much better here in the near future.

This year’s team is looking to build off their winning 2008 season and leading them will be senior captains Frank Turocy, Tom Farmer and Brett Savage.

Regardless of all the excitement going into this season, Bangtson said that he is focusing on gaining consistency.

It comes from creating the atmosphere at practice and demanding perfection, Bangston said.

Farmer also pointed out it could be consistency in games that Bangtson is looking for.

Last year we would come out and score 15 runs in one game and then the next score zero, Farmer said. Same thing with pitching.

In their first series, the starting pitchers went for a total of 16.1 innings out of 36.

Regardless of the rocky start, Farmer agreed that those games help.

It lets us judge where were at, Farmer said. We think we’re good but we still have got a lot of work to do.

The team is going to work on getting more consistent on the mound and in defense. Both have been the team’s Achille’s heel in the past.

Turocy believes the team is becoming more consistent, but before they play a game he cannot make any definitive statements. He did note that he had seen improvement in his own pitching.

The first four weeks of the team’s schedule will be played in other states, from Florida to North Carolina to Illinois.

Both Farmer and Turocy admitted that they would rather play at home but know that is not possible right now.

I think if you asked right down the line, our guys on the baseball team, they would rather go play in 70 degree weather, Turocy said.

Savage, who was sidelined after a season ending injury in 2008, said that he felt good going into these opening games.

He said that playing outside and playing inside are different experiences but he said that hitters and pitchers are looking good.

Everyone’s excited to get out of this cold weather and go down south, Savage said.

While both Savage and Farmer said that they hope for a trip to the MAC championship game at the end of the season, Turocy has a different set of goals.

I just want to see everyone go out there and play as hard as they can every game, Turocy said. This talent is definitely there…if you go out there with the adequate talent and play everyday it increases your chances.

While they have set qualitative goals, the team has tried to stay away from quantitative goals.

Turocy said setting goals for your pitching staff to have an ERA under 1 and bat 400 may not give you the best equation for the team.

Our focus is coming out ready to play every game, Savage said. In the end that will come to our advantage.

At the end of last season, the team lost two of their main hitters Doug McNulty and Kurt Davidson who last year combined for 24 home runs.

I think we will find two guys who will play their role, Savage said. Turocy mirrored that idea and added that it may take some time for those people to step up.

Bangtson said that he did see some bright spots during the first four games from some players.

Farmer put it simply, It all comes down to who steps up and if the right guys step up then we can have a very good team.

Bangtson said that he believes he will see the improvements from the team this week.

Call news editor Allison Strouse:

330-972-7362

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https://www.buchtelite.com

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