2023 Baseball Season Preview
The Providence Christian College baseball team enters the 2023 season, the 9th season in the program's history, adding solid depth, new leadership, and great energy for the season ahead. The team is comprised of twenty returners, nine transfers, and seven freshmen. The addition of experience, depth, and talent should help elevate the program to new heights in 2023.
College athletic teams tend to experience highs and lows throughout a season, and this year has been no different, even in the preseason. Early in the Fall, former head coach and alumnus, Cody Walter, let administration and the team know that he was stepping down and transitioning immediately. While Walter's departure came as a shock, the waves were navigated well by the teams' leaders. They chose to link arms and remain unified in effort and focus. Director of Athletics, Brian DeHaan, responded swiftly by naming longtime head coach Kevin "Smitty" Smith as the new Providence Head Baseball Coach. The news of Smitty's hiring was welcomed by excitement from the team. Coach Smith had worked with the pitching staff in 2022 and had earned the trust of the returners throughout the season. The transition occurred as seamlessly as possible, and the program looks prepared for positive movement as they build upon the foundation laid by Coach Walter, and the humility, pedigree and expertise of Coach Smitty to step in and fill the void.
With the Sea Beggars returning twenty players from the 2022 roster, experience and maturity spearhead the momentum as we head into the 2023 season. Leading the way are seniors Aidan Delgado, Sammy Meadows (SR/Fairfield, CA) Matthew Miranda (SR/Fairfield, CA), Mario Ruiz (SR/West Covina, CA), Eddie Lopez (SR/Highland Park, CA), Jesus Rodarte (SR/Oxnard, CA), Lee Atkinson, Anthony Castro (SR/Grand Prairie, TX) and Juan Aviles. Delgado, Meadows, and Atkinson should lead the charge on the mound with Ruiz, Miranda and Castro looking to come out of the bullpen to earn key outs in their closing roles. Lopez should continue to have a significant impact with his bat, and Rodarte and Aviles will offer years of experience and maturity in helping lead the program in their respective roles. When asked about the 2023 pitching staff, Mario Ruiz commented, "I think our pitching staff has a lot of depth this year. We can compete on the mound, throw strikes, and get hitters out. I think the team is looking promising." He expanded on the team as a whole saying, "We've had new additions of guys at every position that can perform at an elite level, and not to forget about their offensive power. I think we can do some serious damage this year. Everyone is fine tuning their craft as we get closer to our season opener, and I think it's going to be exciting. I think fans should expect our games to be filled with high energy, passion, and intensity as we take on our opponents on the field."
The nine transfers should create an immediate spark both offensively and defensively while helping to propel the Sea Beggars forward. Between the nine transfers and seven freshmen, the coaching staff has the needed depth to help the Sea Beggars compete day in and day out. Senior Aidan Delgado said, "The pitching staff this year has the most arms we've had since I've been here. All our guys have really worked hard and want to help take this team to a conference tournament appearance!" He added, "The core of our staff came back this year and they've only gotten better! Sammy Meadows will be taking on a weekend starter role and I can't wait to watch him compete and go toe to toe with the hitters within the conference. He's an animal on start day and will do whatever he can to help when he's not pitching, and we're just glad he's on our side! We really lacked a "closer" role last year and Mario Ruiz has converted to that from last years starter role. He understands the role change and adjusts as needed. He's definitely going to be someone we rely on to shut the door. Mario attacks hitters and is one of the hardest working guys I've ever been around. As a team overall, this is the most complete team we've had in my four years. We've cleaned up the defensive game and our offense has looked more comfortable week after week."
Ruiz highlighted other key teammates to keep an eye on this season saying, "Someone to watch out for this season is Ronnel Castro (JR/Kelowna, BC, CAN), he's got an elite glove at shortstop and the guy battles at the plate. Also, Preston Wilson (JR/Tracy, CA) and Nathan Oliveira (JR/Santa Clara, CA). They're both quick outfielders who make plays and are serious threats as hitters." Oliveira added to the players to watch list saying, "I think Lee Atkinson is a guy to watch this season. He is a power hitting first baseman, who is nasty on the mound." He added about the team, "The team is looking great. The guys are really working hard on and off the field. We are up early in the morning for practice, and then you will see all the guys in the weightroom after class. This team works harder than any team I have been on." Sophomore Dylan Irwin (SO/Monroe, OR) added, "So far, I think that this group of guys has been the best group that has ever been in the program. We have many leaders among older veteran guys and even younger guys who have stepped up and filled some roles. Coach brought in some key players this year who will make a big difference in our lineup." When asked what the biggest difference from his freshman campaign to this year was, Irwin said, "The biggest difference for me, and I think a lot of our guys, is the change in the coaching staff. Getting a new head coach and having him bring in some other coaches has strengthened the team quite a bit. Expect big things out of this year's program."
The coaching staff is optimistic that the talent and commitment level of the 2023 team should make significant strides forward and expect the team to peak at the right time. The theme for "Team 9" has been "Believe", and there is a consensus throughout the program that they do indeed believe. Coach Smitty said, "It's an extreme honor and pleasure to be the new head baseball coach at Providence Christian College. The players have worked extremely hard this fall and into the beginning of our season. The players and coaches thoroughly believe that we can be successful both on and off the playing field. We are looking forward to having a great season."
Nathan Oliveira said, "Fans should expect us to come out with fire and passion. After a rough season last year, we want to give our fans a show this season. " Aidan Delgado added, "Fans should look forward to the energy and passion that fills this program up! We've worked really hard day in and day out, and we can't wait to share these memories with the Providence community!" The team has a collective excitement about the season ahead, and an equal excitement to share the journey with the Sea Beggar family. The team's home opener is a doubleheader versus Cal Tech on Saturday February 4th at 10am and 1:30pm. Come out and cheer on your Dirt Beggs as they look to make history in the 2023 season.