Photo by: Justin Parker/Davidson Athletics
Fall Baseball in Full Swing at Davidson
9/25/2023 2:14:00 PM | Baseball
Fall baseball is underway at Davidson, as coach Rucker Taylor's Wildcats are conducting 27 practices between now and the beginning of November.
The Wildcats are coming off a 30-24 campaign, the program's fourth 30-win season.
In the fall, the Wildcats will be focusing on individual skill development, team defensive concepts and baserunning and offensive strategies, while also stepping into live game action in scrimmages.
"So far, the new guys have done a great job of acclimating themselves, and the returners have been welcoming," said Taylor, whose five Davidson teams have compiled a 142-86 record. "This group has been fairly professional in how they've gone about things. Our new strength coach, JD Dean, has done an excellent job and we're already seeing some changes in what people are able to do on the field."
FALL GAMES
The Wildcats will play two fall games, one away and one at home, with both free and open to the public.
• Saturday, Oct. 21: at Charlotte, 2 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 28: vs. Erskine, 1 p.m.
RETURNING
The Wildcats are tasked with replacing the last two Atlantic 10 Players of the Year, in catcher Michael Carico (2022) and outfielder Ryan Wilson (2023), who were fifth- and ninth-round pro draft picks, respectively.
But a number of key players return, including six — infielders Nick Calero, Jack Cotrone, Jake Wilhoit, and Michael O'Shaughnessy, outfielder Tyler Douglas and catcher/outfielder Jacob Friend — who started at least 34 games a year ago. Calero started all 54 at the hot corner and had 19 multi-hit games.
Cotrone is the top returning hitter, with a .317 average and a 1.055 OPS to go with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs. O'Shaughnessy, a member of the A-10 All-Rookie Team, hit .306 (.959 OPS) with 10 bombs and 44 driven in. Friend (11 HRs) was an A-10 Second Team pick and reached base in the final 32 games.
On the mound, the Wildcats bring back left-hander Ryan Feczko, a two-year weekend starter, who covered 68.2 innings last year. Brycen Champey and Isaac Fix are other key returners.
ROSTER ADDITIONS
The Wildcats have added 14 players to the roster, including transfers Noah Jouras, Wilson Perkins and Chris Schuchart. Eleven freshmen have joined the Wildcats, including Jason Ban, Cooper Cavanaugh, Cider Canon, Justin Higgins, Jed Howard, Adam Katz, Will Papciak, Garrett Pyne, Jake Suarez, Gavin Thomas, Thomas Whelan.
Aidan Wirshing has joined the coaching staff.
The Wildcats are coming off a 30-24 campaign, the program's fourth 30-win season.
In the fall, the Wildcats will be focusing on individual skill development, team defensive concepts and baserunning and offensive strategies, while also stepping into live game action in scrimmages.
"So far, the new guys have done a great job of acclimating themselves, and the returners have been welcoming," said Taylor, whose five Davidson teams have compiled a 142-86 record. "This group has been fairly professional in how they've gone about things. Our new strength coach, JD Dean, has done an excellent job and we're already seeing some changes in what people are able to do on the field."
FALL GAMES
The Wildcats will play two fall games, one away and one at home, with both free and open to the public.
• Saturday, Oct. 21: at Charlotte, 2 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 28: vs. Erskine, 1 p.m.
RETURNING
The Wildcats are tasked with replacing the last two Atlantic 10 Players of the Year, in catcher Michael Carico (2022) and outfielder Ryan Wilson (2023), who were fifth- and ninth-round pro draft picks, respectively.
But a number of key players return, including six — infielders Nick Calero, Jack Cotrone, Jake Wilhoit, and Michael O'Shaughnessy, outfielder Tyler Douglas and catcher/outfielder Jacob Friend — who started at least 34 games a year ago. Calero started all 54 at the hot corner and had 19 multi-hit games.
Cotrone is the top returning hitter, with a .317 average and a 1.055 OPS to go with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs. O'Shaughnessy, a member of the A-10 All-Rookie Team, hit .306 (.959 OPS) with 10 bombs and 44 driven in. Friend (11 HRs) was an A-10 Second Team pick and reached base in the final 32 games.
On the mound, the Wildcats bring back left-hander Ryan Feczko, a two-year weekend starter, who covered 68.2 innings last year. Brycen Champey and Isaac Fix are other key returners.
ROSTER ADDITIONS
The Wildcats have added 14 players to the roster, including transfers Noah Jouras, Wilson Perkins and Chris Schuchart. Eleven freshmen have joined the Wildcats, including Jason Ban, Cooper Cavanaugh, Cider Canon, Justin Higgins, Jed Howard, Adam Katz, Will Papciak, Garrett Pyne, Jake Suarez, Gavin Thomas, Thomas Whelan.
Aidan Wirshing has joined the coaching staff.
Players Mentioned
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