With Ohio ready to begin its 2017 season, the objective is returning to the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
The Bobcats last made the tournament two years ago. As the No. 3 seed, they ran through the field and won the title — their first in 18 years. The championship season came after posting an 11-40 the previous year.
Now, two years later, the roster is noticeably different. But the team is still making the comparisons.
“It has a lot of that 2015 feel,” infielder Ty Black said.
A sophomore during the title run two years ago, Black is now a senior and one of the main components of Ohio’s starting lineup.
Black understands that the “underdog” mentality fits the Bobcats well.
https://bumpers.fm/e/b2icoq3hibsg02hu5dg0“We’re going to surprise some people,” he said. “We’re not expected to be great. People are underestimating us, but I think we like that.”
But Black is of the key reasons there are comparisons between the two teams. As a senior, he’s one of the many veteran leaders of the team.
This year’s team features 11 seniors, as did the 2015 squad.
“We’re a veteran team,” coach Rob Smith said. “We lack experience in some areas, but we’re a veteran team. I think that comes with maturity.”
Ohio is will need to find players to fill in where it lacks experience.
John Adryan, Mitch Longo, Manny De Jesus, among others, are gone from the roster. They’ll be replaced by younger players, some who may not have as much as experience as the former senior stalwarts.
The Bobcats will begin to see who steps up to take a starting role on the team. There’s still no set third baseman in the foreseen future, and the outfield may see some switching up throughout the season.
But the team can look forward to the leadership to help them along the way.
“I see a lot of players have their head in the right spot in terms of how they’re playing and the intent in which they’re playing with,” Smith said. “We had some upperclassmen that led in their own unique way, and I think that’s what we have in this group. Guys that have their own special way of doing it. I’m looking forward to seeing them execute that.”
