By Sierra Willis
Bellarmine is set to take on Oakland University at 2:30 p.m. at Knights Field on Feb. 28.
Bellarmine baseball is entering its fourth season in the Division I Atlantic Sun Conference, and assistant coach Ross Spurgeon said he is excited about the home opener.
“The biggest thing is truly competing in each game,” Spurgeon said. “As a home opener, you want to own your own field and you want to dominate where you practice every day. With Oakland, they’re a tough competitor. We’re going to have to bring our ‘A’ game.”
With 24 new players on the field, the Knights are confident in not only what they’ll be doing this game but this season.
Senior pitcher Blake Donnan joins the Knights baseball team after attending two other universities: Olney Central College and St. Edwards University.
“Number one factor for me wanting to play for Bellarmine was the move up into the Division I level,” Donnan said. “I really felt a strong connection with the coaches here, with Ross Spurgeon and Chris Dominguez. They really are players and coaches and want to see us succeed not only this weekend but the season to come.”
Bellarmine baseball has six appointed captains for the 2024 season: Senior outfielder Will Aubel, senior first baseman Davis Crane, redshirt sophomore Blake Donnan, fifth-year senior Nolan Pender, sophomore shortstop Luke Scales and junior outfielder Casey Sorg.
Pender was also a ASUN nominee for pre-season pitcher of the year. He said he is thrilled for the game against Oakland and for what the team is going to do.
“Having the fans here is something I love,” he said. “I love that it’s convenient for my parents to be able to come watch and for anybody in town that I know to come see a game. The Knights put on a show, and it’s fun to come watch.”
Bellarmine (13-42 last season) is in its second year under Chris Dominguez, who was the team's assistant coach in 2020 and 2022.
Bellarmine will prepare for 30 conference games along with 10 three-game series split between conference and non-conference teams.
Bellarmine's conference home match-ups are scheduled as follows: Jacksonville (March 22 - 24) North Florida (March 28 - 30) North Alabama (April 12 -14) Kennesaw State (April 26 - 28) and Queens (May 16 - 18)
Bellarmine’s road series will include games against Florida Gulf Coast University (March 15-17), Austin Peay (April 5-7), Central Arkansas (April 19-21), Eastern Kentucky (May 3-5) and Lipscomb (May 10-12).
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