MARSHALL, Texas – Ready to start another season, the East Texas Baptist University baseball kicks off the 2019 season on Friday at Woods Field. They will begin with a home and away series against Centenary College with a home game on Friday night at Woods Field before a double header will then take place in Shreveport, La., on Saturday.
 
Last season, ETBU finished 21-21 overall and 11-13 in the American Southwest Conference receiving the seventh seed in post-season tournament. ETBU fell in their two postseason contests to both Concordia University in Texas and the University of Ozarks.
 
This season, ETBU brings back 30 members from last season's squad, including All-ASC members Jeremy Bateman (Honorable Mention) Casey Combs (2^nd Team), Derrick Findley (3^rd Team), Call Florence (3^rd Team), and Zach Gartner (2^nd Team). Bateman finished tied for second in batting average (.296) and runs scored (25) while finishing third with 40 hits on the team. Combs also finished hitting .296, but collected 26 RBI on 42 hits. Findley posted a 4-2 record on the mound with a 2.36 ERA and was had ASC Pitcher of the Week honors along with being selected to the ASC Blue Bracket All-Tournament Team. Florence led ETBU in saves with six in 14 appearances while posting a 2.70 ERA and also won ASC Pitcher of the Week honors. Gartner was ETBU's leader in multiple offensive categories, including batting average (.361), runs scored (27), hits (56), RBI (27), and homers (seven).
 
For head coach Jared Hood, the excitement of starting the season after nine months of preparation is something that he nor his team could hardly wait for. "It started in fall ball this year when we came back in September," said Coach Hood. "We continued to implement our system and just see the kids play to get out there and really had a successful fall campaign. As soon as you get excited and the blood gets really into it, then it's time to stop fall ball and hit into the offseason. It's good for us because so many young guys can get with our strength and conditioning program and get their bodies in tune to what it's going to take to compete this spring season. Now with it going, we're in the thick of getting ready for February 8^th. It's exciting and I'm glad to be back on the field."
 
ETBU starts the year with the Gents of Centenary College. Last season saw the Tigers sweep the regular season series. At Woods Field, ETBU dominated by winning 11-4 with Landen Barns leading the way with three hits while Zachary McAdams drove in three RBI. Findley earned the win with 2.1 innings pitched allowing two hits with one strikeout. Over a month later. ETBU completed the sweep taking the second game 7-5 in Shreveport, La. Bateman led with two hits while Barns and Seth Mikeska each picked up two RBI. Chad Boudreaux was the winning pitcher for the Tigers with two-thirds of scoreless relief with two strikeouts and one hit.
 
Friday night's home opener will start at 7:00 PM while Saturday's doubleheader in Shreveport will take place at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.