By COLLIN ZINK, Student Reporter
After a 26-15 season last year, the Northwestern baseball team is looking to improve on its success.
The Rangers hope to go deeper into the playoffs this year and bring home the title of national champion.
“The goal is to be at the top of the conference and win the conference, then go deep in the playoffs and win it all,” junior outfielder Chase Orrock said.
Senior infielder Yugo Hamakawa said the main goal for the team, along with a personal goal for him is to rank high.
“The team goal is to get first place in the GAC,” Hamakawa said. “Personally, being an All-American is the goal for me.”
Head coach Ryan Bowen said he hopes to improve from last season.
“The goal is to build off the success from last year and compete for a conference championship,” Bowen said.
Bowen said he believes the team has several strengths.
“We have a lot of versatility on offense,” Bowen said. “We can score home runs, but also steal bases. We also have a high-level defense.”
Hamakawa also said he believes the team has strengths, but specifically in the hitting category.
“Our team strength is hitting, for sure,” Hamakawa said.
He said the wind in Alva can be a factor for them when the opposing teams hit, but the team does not get worried because he knows how well they can hit.
Orrock also said he thinks the team is good at hitting.
The Rangers added some new players to the team, and Bowen, Orrock and Hamakawa said they believe that those players will perform well.
“We added some really good transfer and freshman players,” Bowen said. “I expect them to fit in well with what we are doing.”
“There are quite a few good transfers and some freshman that will help the program,” Orrock said.
“Shaughn Kelly, who plays third base, and he can really hit and run,” Hamakawa said. “Fred Buckson, who is a second baseman, and he is a powerful hitter. We also have new great pitchers and hitters.”
Fans of the Rangers can expect an entertaining offense and many runs scored.
“They can expect an exciting offense,” Bowen said. “We’ve got guys that can hit with power, have speed and good pitching.”
“They can expect a talented team that is going to play for each other,” Hamakawa said.
“A lot of offense, lots of runs scored, and exciting baseball,” Orrock said.
The Rangers start the season with a three-game series against the University of Minnesota Crookston on Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. at Glass Family Field at Myers Stadium.