“Very confident with the older leadership and what they have been through, success they had, they know what we have to do to get over the hump this upcoming year,” head coach Stan Stolte said.
Stolte has been with the program since 2010 with this season marking his eighth year as head coach.
“We got cut short [last year], but we played well,” junior Edarian Williams said, “and I think we are building on that. Us three and the rest of the older guys kind of combine with the younger guys how much we practice and work, and do a lot for our confidence going into the season.”
Edarian Williams was selected to the All Mountain West (MW) second team during the 2021 season, as well as Co-Freshman of the year in the MW and Collegiate Freshman All American Team tournament.
“It is not all on me,” Williams said. “I don’t put pressure on myself or try too. I know I have faith in my teammates and the rest of the guys to do the same job that I want to do- to do whatever it takes to win. So I am not gonna focus too much on myself. I want to keep it about the team and try to win.”
UNLV Baseball got cut short due to the pandemic in the 2021 season. The team placed third in the conference despite having many games canceled. This year the team is exhilarating in confidence on the season with a close group of impressive athletes.
The program signed nine impressive recruits this past fall semester, the class includes four from Las Vegas: Tyler Avery,Chase Ditmar, Brett Matson, and Reese Lueck. Along with four from Southern California: Noah Jordan Rodriquez, Zander Bretza, Jake Khasaempanth, and Andrew Kirchner. Kaleb Duncan joined the team, coming from Arizona.
“We try to get the best guy possible every year,” Stolte said. “We are losing some good guys this year and we need some good players to replace them.We think that we did that. You never know until they are on campus and you see them play.We are happy with the guys we got.”
A clear theme to what this year will feel like, is that it's a really close group of athletes with a great bond. Full of seniors and new additions to the team.
“This group of guys is really for the transition,” Diego Alacron said. “This team has gotten a lot closer the past year and a half that I have been here…the guys behind you can pass the baton.”
Alarcon is a senior transfer out of El Camino College.
The team knows they have big challenges ahead but it is the full on faith they have on each other heading into this upcoming season.
The first game of the season will be against the Spartans of Michigan State, a team they haven’t played since 2012.
“They are a tough team. They are in the Big Ten and they have scholarships just like we do,” Stolte said. “I am more worried about where we are for the start of the season than who we are facing.”
Despite a short season last year, the team has never really taken time off as they continue to train for future seasons and improve their skills.
“We have improved our pitching, which has been our downfall the last couple years, advancing deeper into the season,” Stotle said. “ I like where we are at and I love the kids on this team.”
Stay tuned as UNLV kicks off their season hosting Michigan State, Feb. 18 at 6:05 p.m. This will be a four game series spanning over the weekend with their final game on Feb. 20 with first pitch coming at 12:05 p.m.
“It is my last ride so one thing that is most important is that we just have a successful season. It is my last experience in college,” senior Eric Bigani. “I just hope we are able to make it as far as we can.”
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