Baseball recognizes fans, prepares for title defense

Before the Maverick baseball team begins its conference title defense this week, head coach Chris Hanks wanted to make sure he and his team recognized the community that shows them support each and every game. Since the season ends after the completion of the spring semester every year, there has never been a postseason banquet to honor team and individual awards as well as pay respect to the fans. This year, for the first time in program history, Hanks and his team hosted an event to do just that.

“For the last 15 years I have wanted to have a banquet where we can thank donors, businesses and individuals who support our program not only with money, but with equipment as well as donating their time and their support in the stands,” Hanks said. “Our athletic director Tom Spicer thought it was a good idea so we decided to do it.”

The Leadoff Dinner was held in the University Center Ballroom and gave players and coaches a chance to meet with their supporters and pay respects to the accomplishments of the 2013 team that posted a 45-11 record, which included a 35-3 RMAC record and two All-Americans in CMU alumnus Braden Box and current Maverick Nate Robertson. It was also an opportunity to introduce this year’s team, which has already received preseason recognition from the RMAC.

After last year’s success, the Mavericks are ranked No. 16 in the nation and are picked to repeat as Mountain Division and RMAC champions with a wealth of talent on the roster. Robertson was selected as the RMAC Preseason Player of the Year after posting a .381 batting average and recording 13 doubles, five homeruns and 47 runs driven in.

Also on the preseason All-Conference team are outfielders Garrett Carpenter and Austin Kaiser, as well as pitchers Kyle Davis and Joey Danner. Carpenter made First Team All-RMAC and All-Defensive team last season with a .417 batting average, 32 RBI and a homerun. Kaiser was on the preseason all-conference team last year as well and earned First Team All-Academic honors. Davis posted an 8-1 record as a starting pitcher last year with a 3.10 earned run average, while Danner earned a 9-2 record with a 2.92 ERA.

Robertson explained that he is confident his team will not let the preseason hype effect how they play, but is still excited that they are receiving so much attention.

“It’s definitely an honor and a blessing to have those awards as a team and individually,” Robertson said. “But we really are just trying to focus on our season and what we are trying to accomplish.”

The Mavericks open up the 2014 season this Friday with a three-game home stand against Nebraska-Kearney.

mfreter@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

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This post was written by critedev