Baseball season can’t be judged by 11-39 record, team says

As Seattle U baseball wraps up its first season as a Division I team in more than 30 years, coaches and players have high hopes for their sophomore season. After finishing with an 11-39 record, the team looks forward to building upon their premiere season.

"The success we had can't be measured in win-loss," said junior pitcher Arlo Evasick. "We didn't start playing our best until the last three or four weeks of the season."

It is not uncommon for teams to have poor records in their first year as varsity programs. In their initial varsity season, University of Oregon went 14-42 while California State University - Bakersfield had a record of 13-37.

Seattle U's record improved toward the end of the season, with the team winning two of its last four games against St. Mary's College.

"It was a really trying year, but we never gave in," said freshman infielder Cullen Hendrickson. "We kept trying hard and with our maturity, next year in those games that come down to the wire, we'll see a lot more [games] going in our favor."

While the season had its ups and downs, head coach Donny Harrel is still proud of
his team.

"Just knowing the work we put in before the season to announce Seattle U was back in D-I baseball. It was definitely the highlight," Harrel said.

Harrel and the players are now trying to focus on the positives of the upcoming season while trying to carry over the competitiveness of their first season into the future.

"[The team was] most successful in staying competitive," said Harrel. "They were never giving in to the situation."

Hendrickson echoes Harrel's feeling.

"Our effort during practice, weights, games [...] we left nothing out there. Even games when we got smashed, we left nothing out there," Hendrickson said.

With the upcoming season, Harrel has high hopes not only for new signees but certain returning players as well, including Evasick, pitcher Max Wilden, first baseman Bryndon Ecklund and infielders Josh Kalalau and Hendrickson, who was the leading batter for the team as a true freshman.

Next season, the team faces stiffer competition with new teams added to its schedule, including the University of Notre Dame, San Jose State University, New Mexico State University and Sacramento State University. Two of the three games against Notre Dame will be played at Safeco Field, the home field of the Seattle Mariners.

Evasick is most looking forward to facing the University of Washington and Washington
State University again next season.

"We're going to have another shot at them because we didn't get those wins [last season]," Evasick said. "I think we'll move at a quicker pace next year."

Harrel and the players also reflect Evasick's desire to come back stronger and beat some of those teams, especially those within the state of Washington.

"I would love to not beat Washington State, but throttle them," Evasick said. "Run them into the ground. We have a lot of redemption."

MacKenzie may be reached at blakem1@seattleu.edu