By NICK VILLALOBOS
Sports Editor
Northwestern baseball looks to improve under a new head coach.
The Rangers baseball program finished with a 25-25 overall record and an 8-22 Great American Conference record last season. The subpar performance led to the search for a new high-energy head. In August, Director of Athletics Andy Carter found what he thinks is a great fit for the open coaching position and hired new head coach Sam Carel.
Carel previously held the head coaching job at Jefferson College. While at Jefferson College, Carel managed to win eight straight conference titles.
Along with Carel joining the coaching staff, former Northwestern baseball and basketball player Jonathan Freemyer will also take the reins as the Rangers assistant coach. Freemyer had a very successful college career here at Northwestern, becoming the first player in GAC history to earn all-conference in both basketball and baseball. Carel said in response to Freemyer taking the coaching position, “Jonathan will have an impact on our development. He will be a tremendous asset to our program.”
The Rangers have also added hitting coach Jason Wood and pitching coach Taylor Henry to assist in building the program.
The Rangers also announced the captains who will lead the team this year just this last month. The captains include Ranger senior Jeff Martain, pitcher Chase Randall, infielder Joshua Caruso and catcher Logan Porter.
“We are excited with the players’ selection of these individuals as their captains and are looking forward to getting the season underway,” said Carel.
The Rangers season will open on the road Feb. 1 against Panhandle State in Goodwell, Okla.