by Kolton Fishback, Student Reporter
The Northwestern Oklahoma State University baseball team will strive to be more consistent this year and make a push for the postseason under the direction of head coach Ryan Bowen.
The rangers start the season next weekend in central Oklahoma where they will play three MIAA conference teams in Missouri Southern, University of Central Oklahoma and Pittsburgh State University.
Arkansas Monticello is the favorite to finish first after winning the conference last year.
“Really, our biggest competition is honestly ourselves. Bowen said, if we worry about ourselves and take care of our business then we’re going to have success.”
Bowen said he thinks the pitching staff has a chance to be a strength for the Northwestern ball club this year.
Bowen said they have more weapons on the mound than they have had in previous seasons.
He also feels like the defense will be a strength as a whole, and is excited to have more people that can run when getting on base.
Bowen said that it is a different team than what they have looked like the last two years and he feels like they have a chance to do something special this season.
“I really feel like this has the chance to be one of the best pitching staffs we’ve ever had,” Bowen said he expects the pitching staff to have an impressive jump this year.
Bowen said that the core and what they believe in is focusing on the fundamentals of the game. Whether that be putting the ball in play, for the defense to react when the ball is hit to them, and being able to run the bases with 100% effort.
They will continue to make adjustments and adapt and do the best things to develop the team.
The offseason has been a success for the rangers, with plenty of players in the weight room and spending time throughout the day in the batting cages. Bowen said when you have player driven leadership you have a chance to have special teams.
Consistency is what the team will aim for this year, which will be important for a successful season.
Bowen said it is crucial to be more consistent, win the close games, and execute when the games are close.
The team will strive to be better in the conference, and push the envelope to make the postseason, which would be the first time in program history.
Senior Colton Whitehouse is looking forward to this season.
Whitehouse said he has figured out his swing more, which will ultimately lead to more consistency and more RBI’S along with a higher batting average.
Whitehouse follows the simple routine of trying to focus on trying to get better at one aspect of either lifting or baseball.
During the last two years, Whitehouse has been the permanent designated hitter for the team, and he said that it can be tough to get the right mindset when batting.
He said the biggest challenge is getting off the bench cold because he is not focused in the game until he steps to the plate.
“My mindset has been the same with every at bat,” Whitehouse said. “Runners on or not it is usually just go up there and hit the ball as hard as I can.”
Whitehouse said he will continue to work hard on and off the field, and he is excited to start the season on a good note.
“Continue to work hard and believe in the coaching staff,” Bowen said. “But believe in each other to do something special.”