Spring Hill College baseball head coach Frank Sims enters the 2017 season with confidence that his team features its most consistent players in recent memory. "I can't say we have that one player this year who stands above the rest," he says. "But this year we have more consistent players who all play at a high level and that will make us a better team in the long run." Sims also welcomes back 19 veterans including 11 seniors and 13 lettermen. "This is possibly the most experienced team we've had in years," he says. "We not only have depth this year, but we also have experience in reserve and that is a real benefit in the late innings and as the season go along."
 
Perhaps the most pressing questions that Badger fans have been asking during the off season is "who will replace Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) player of the Year Alex Jones behind the plate?" Sims does not hesitate in his answer. "Brennan Fontenot (sophomore, Greenwell Springs, La.) will be taking over at catcher," he says. "He has matured as a player and had a really good summer and fall, so I'm confident in him. Neil Ring (redshirt freshman, Appomattox, Va.), Nicholas Chiasson (sophomore, Mandeville, La.) and Ben Breymier (senior, Indianapolis , Ind.) will see time back there, too, but Brennan is our man going forward."
 
Elsewhere around the infield, Sims will move Michael Druhan (senior, Mobile, Ala.) from right field to first base. "Michael is really a first baseman," says Sims. "This move is where he needs to be for his future and to make us better." Thomas Smith (senior, Meridian, Miss.) will handle the duties at second base while Maverick Latour (sophomore, Folsom, La.) has solidified his role at shortstop. Transfer graduate student Brandon Harigel (Pace, Fla.) will step into third base for this season. "We were spoiled by having Matthew Spradlin at the corner for the past two seasons," Sims says. "But Harigel is a tough player in that spot and we are glad to have him there." Brandon Donoghue (junior, Mobile) and Daniel Rodriguez (freshman, Coral Gables, Fla.) will also work their way onto the field as Sims feels comfortable using either player in any situation.
 
The outfield will see Conner Harrison (junior, St. Louis, Mo.) settle into left field and Ulysses Fluellen (senior, Phenix City, Ala.) take the reins in center field. In right field, Justin Collier (freshman, Mobile) will step into one of the conference's most difficult outfield roles. "Harrison and Fluellen are proven players," says Sims. "Collier is learning to deal with challenges of our right field and he'll also bat leadoff for us, so it's a lot for a freshman to learn, but he has done a great job." Gavin Crimmins (sophomore, Cumming, Ga.), Austyn Jacques (senior, Cummin) and Jacob Brannan (freshman, Mobile) will also see their share of playing time in the Badger outfield throughout the season.
 
At designated hitter, Sims admits to facing a pleasant problem. "Our DH position is still a toss up to be honest," he says. "Heading into the start of the year, Hunter DArmond (sophomore, Greenwell Springs), Hunter Romero (freshman, Covington, La.), Ben Bolton (freshman, Mobile), and Chiasson are all battling for the role, so it might be a rotating position for now."
 
The Badger pitching also looks solid with Christian Bahlinger (senior, Mandeville) and Dylan Kiene (senior, Mobile) returning at the two top spots followed by junior college transfer Justin Whitsett (junior, Millry, Ala.) and Jordan Fontenelle (senior, New Orleans, La.). "Our top three are almost interchangeable and Jordan has come a long way in his development over the past few years," says Sims. "Also look for Austin Barrios (sophomore, Madisonville, La.) to get several starts along with Sean Bretz (freshman, River Ridge, La.) and Luke Yelverton (freshman, Demopolis, Ala.) who will probably get some starts as well as some relief appearances."
 
Coming out of the bullpen, Spring Hill looks deeper than it has been in several seasons with William North (senior, Belle Chasse, La.), Steven Saucier (senior, Covington) and Michael Romano (freshman, Covington) standing at the ready. "D'Armond will also get some innings this year," says Sims. "He actually came here as a pitcher, so it'll be good to get him back up and throwing." Redshirt freshman Jonathan Williams will work his way into the order as the season progresses after returning from an injury in 2016. "We have a good mix in our pitching this year," says Sims. "Nobody is the clear Number 1, but we have good consistent pitching that is throwing strikes. We have a lot of experience back along with some very talented young pitchers."
 
"We are a solid defense," Sims states. "We are not a defensive team that is going to light the world on fire, but we make the plays we need to make." A tough schedule awaits the Badgers in 2017, but Sims believes his team is ready for the opportunity. "We have a tough February schedule," he says wryly. "If we can get through February with a decent record, we'll be an alright ball team. With a little luck, we might even win a game or two."
 
The Badgers open the 2017 season at home on historic Stan Galle Field on Friday at 3 p.m. versus non-conference opponent Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) Warhawks. The same two teams will meet again on Saturday in a noon doubleheader.