Bolivar, Mo. – The SBU Baseball season is right around the corner, opening their season this Saturday, February 1. Last season, the Bearcats finished 19-31 (10-23 MIAA), 12^th in the conference. SBU has made the transition from the MIAA to the GLVC, upping the conference numbers from 14 teams to 16 teams. Last year, the Bearcats played a number of GLVC teams. They went 2-1 against Maryville who finished 2^nd in the GLVC last year, beat Drury 9-2, and swept McKendree with scores of 15-1 and 5-3.
 
"This is an exciting year for us," said head coach Chris Martin. "We are looking forward to playing in a great baseball league in the GLVC. The GLVC is as balanced a league as there is in the country. There are great coaches in the GLVC and storied programs. We are looking forward to playing in new venues and against new teams."
 
The Bearcats return a veteran pitching staff, consisting of Dalton Morrow, Kyle Smith, Drew Wagner, Cole Van Every, and others. Although the team lost several key players, the Bearcats will be led by Brett Mitchell, Sam Avila, Blake Hobbs, Jackson Soule, and Blake Lutgen. A few new faces look to make an immediate impact as well. Morrow, Smith, Avila, and Soule were all named to the All-MIAA team. Morrow threw the first No-Hitter in SBU history. He collected 5 wins (7th in MIAA) over 98.0 innings pitched (1st in MIAA), 98 strikeouts (4th in MIAA), walking 35 batters, allowing opposing hitters just a .230 average (9th in MIAA). Avila played in 34 games for the Bearcats, finishing with a .324 batting average, 36 hits, 22 runs scored, 18 RBIs, 5 doubles, 1 triple, and 19 walks. In the field, Avila recorded 51 putouts and 61 assists. Smith started 10 games for SBU, throwing 54.2 innings, allowing just 18 earned runs (4th in MIAA), and surrendering just 3 home runs (4th in MIAA). He also struck out 33 batters and held a 2.96 ERA. Soule began the year at first base and shifted back and forth to the outfield when needed. Through his 46 games played as a Bearcat, Soule collected 50 hits, 38 RBIs, 10 doubles, 2 home runs (one of those a grand slam), and 26 walks. In the field he collected 167 putouts and 7 assists.
 
"We haven't been in a postseason tournament the last two years," Martin commented. "We need to get back into postseason play. In 2018 we were too young and didn't have enough experience to get it done. Last year we lost 12 one-run games. This group has the talent, experience and leadership to get back into the postseason and that is our goal."
 
The team begins the season with a three-game series against Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN. Prior to GLVC play, the team will host Wayne State, Winona State, and Augustana who finished the year ranked #11 in the nation. SBU's home opener will be on February 15, a double-header against Wayne State College starting at 12 PM.