After an offseason of strong preparation, the SNHU men’s baseball team boasts a record of 17-5 after a win on April 5 at Bridgeport.
The team was ranked first in the East Region Preseason Poll by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and seventh in the nation, according to SNHU Penmen.
Pitcher Owen Tonkin (’23) spoke on the team chemistry in the dugout, and the mindset it takes to consistently win games.
“I think the collective mindset is to keep rolling,” said Tonkin. “Winning is fun, and the morale is way better when you win. This is a program where we expect to win.”
Tonkin spoke on the root of the team and their mindset, and that is their coach. Tonkin knows that his coach has expectations and that his ideals must be respected.
“Coach Loiseau instills in everybody on the team that we are here for a reason and we will win,” said Tonkin. “The hot start is awesome, but really I feel it’s something the group expects.”
The baseball team has had a high reputation for years in the NE10 conference, and throughout Division-2 nationwide.
“It’s inevitable that there will be practices that are tough and seem never-ending, but being around a super talented group of guys who you’re close with makes those tough days easier,” said Tonkin.
Fellow pitcher of the right-handed Tonkin, Conner Wagstaff (‘23) is thrilled to be on a team with such potential.
“We have a good mix of returners and new guys that came in that have filled in seamlessly and we push each other to be better each day,” said Wagstaff.
Though the team has started strong, they can only prepare as if the competition will win. If not, they may underplay the opponent.
“We definitely have our work cut out for us this year and can’t look past anyone…. We try [to] work harder every day to obtain the goal we set as a team,” said Wagstaff.
The team’s expectations are as high as ever and winning a championship is what matters most to the baseball squad.
“We always have the big goal of winning the last game of the year, but we need to keep our focus on the day in front of us and winning that day,” said Wagstaff.
With a strong start, SNHU baseball has lived up to expectations that were released in the preseason and only looks to do so even more.
