After having made their NCAA Division-III record 30th straight tournament appearance but falling short of a championship last season, the SUNY Cortland baseball team looks to have an even stronger 2024. Beginning their regular season in Salisbury, Maryland on February 16th, the Red Dragons have some tough matchups coming up.
The preparations began right away, with the team using up 18 of their 24 allowed offseason practice days in the fall to hit the ground running (with the final 6 coming in the last week). And when off the field, they were working out in the weight room 3 times a week, straight through to winter.
At the end of the semester, the athletes went home, but the work didn’t stop. They were expected to keep up with their training over the winter, guided by assignments that the coaches gave them.
“Our athletes had workout programs that they could follow,” said Head Coach Joe Brown. “Most of them had to transition to a lot of baseball stuff. Pitchers had throwing programs that they could follow. All optional of course. And then position players, there was expectations to maintain your lifting and also being able to hit, get in a place to hit, and then also build your arm strength back up.”
The players knew the assignment and were ready to prepare for the spring. They understood that not having team practices doesn’t mean that the work just stops.
“Winter break is about locking in and getting our reps in for our respective positions,” said outfielder and captain Mat Bruno. “While we don’t meet as a team until we get back, it’s our job to be physically and mentally prepared for our first practice, especially since our first game is only 3 weeks from our first practice.”
The team has a lot to be excited about for this season. For Coach Brown, it’s the pitching depth. Even after a season with a .723 win percentage, improvements can be made, and Brown is excited about the strong pitching staff the team has built for 2024.
“We have a few strengths this year that will help us tremendously,” said Bruno. “First, we return 7 of our 9 position players, as well as a plethora of players who had key roles last year, and many pitchers with years of experience (All-American Dylan Beers, Anthony Fusco, Liam Krasney, and many others). Also, we have added some great transfer pitchers that will have a tremendous impact this season.”
With athletes practicing and training solo back at home, the coaches keep themselves busy with offseason preparations as well.
“Our coaches [offseason work] is just prepare for the season,” said Brown. “Start to begin to scout 2024 opponents, do all travel arrangements, secure all hotels, do fundraisers, emails with alumni, and necessary equipment orders to get everything in place.”
After their Maryland series, the Red Dragons head to North Carolina, New Jersey, and California, before finally playing their home opener at Wallace Field on March 19th against Hamilton.
