It's time for Sea Beggar Baseball!!
It's time for Sea Beggar Baseball!! The spring season is finally here, and "Team 8" is ready for the 2022 campaign. The energy and optimistic outlook remain high for the Beggars and third year Head Coach Cody Walter has molded an impressive group of young men into a unit of brothers primed for competition. With the return of thirteen veterans and the addition of twenty newcomers, nine of which are transfers, the Sea Beggars are well prepared for the grind of the 47-game schedule.
Twenty-two of the thirty-three men on the roster are upperclassmen and their confident presence is palpable on campus. Leadership and experience should be a strength for Coach Walters team this year, and the added depth on the mound will be a welcomed change. The Sea Beggar bullpen is comprised of twelve arms who will give Coach Walters great options for both starters and relievers. With the addition of junior pitchers Lee Atkinson Jr (JR/Adelanto, CA). (California Baptist transfer), Mario Ruiz (JR/West Covina, CA) (Mount San Antonio College transfer), and Sammy Meadows (JR/Fairfield, CA) (Diablo Valley College transfer), as well as freshman Cody Conkle (FR/Leander, TX), returners Aiden Delgado and Trent Friesen (JR/La Mirada, CA) should have some great help carrying the load this spring. In addition to Delgado and Friesen, the Sea Beggars return Brennan Morales (SR/Hemet, CA) and Anthony Castro (JR/Grand Prairie, TX), who have both flashed signs of being able to contribute meaningful innings on the mound in 2022. Walters said, "Our pitching staff has a lot of talented arms, and they all want the ball in any given situation. The leadership that has developed amongst our staff is going to be a key component to our success. We have three new faces in the starting rotation and a lot of veteran and young talent to compliment them in the bullpen." Mario Ruiz said about the team, "I've never felt more embraced on a team than this one and I'm very grateful for it. I'm excited for what's to come this season and I'm glad to know this team has my back. Stay tuned!"
Offensively, the Sea Beggars return the consistent bat of Tucker Panarisi (SO/Santa Clarita, CA) who had a strong 2021 campaign where he hit .373 while driving in ten runs. Coach Walter added, "The return of Tucker Panarisi in our lineup brings a solid bat in the top of the order and a reliable glove in the field. I'm excited to see him build off the success of his freshman season and continue to be a leader on and off the field." Panarisi said, "We have the opportunity to completely change the culture of Providence Christian College Baseball. I expect nothing but greatness from this talented group of guys and I am ready to get after it." Coach Walter also anticipates Cameron Martin (JR/Fairfield, CA) (Solano Community College transfer) to contribute offensively as he's had a very productive fall both on the field and as a leader in the clubhouse. True freshman Dylan Irwin (FR/Monroe, OR) has had a strong fall season as well, and Coach Walters expects this momentum to carry into the spring. Coach Walter said, "Irwin brings a well-rounded game, excelling both offensively and defensively, and he projects to be a significant contributor in the 2022 campaign. "Dylan Irwin was a big addition to our freshman class. We got to see the speed and power he brings to our offense throughout the fall." When asked about the outlook for the season ahead, Irwin said, "I've never been a part of a team that competes and works so hard every day. I think we can do something very special with this group of guys, and I'm looking forward to the season."
The 2022 team has a unique bond that will surely be evident on and off the field. Aiden Delgado explained, "What makes Team 8 different is that we all have a super tight bond with each other. I've never felt more rooted with a group of guys, and they make waking up every day and grinding it out worth it. I can't wait to see what this team does!" Lee Atkinson joined the Sea Beggars after transferring in the fall and added, "I'm excited to be back on the field with a group of guys that are competitors. It's going to be a long season but after working together and becoming a family, I'm proud to be a Beggar. We're definitely going to be a threat this year".
The Sea Beggar season will feature another new highlight when the team travels to Oahu, Hawaii to play Hawaii Pacific in back-to-back double headers. There is always something special about traveling as a team, but the blessing of going to Hawaii will be a great opportunity for our young men to compete, bond, and enjoy the beauty Hawaii affords. The first two weeks of the season will feature seven games against Golden State Athletic Conference opponents with Vanguard (13), Hope International (16), and Westmont (RV) all receiving recognition in the NAIA Preseason Coaches poll.
With the depth of the 2022 Dirt Beggs, there is great anticipation for the continued growth and progress of a program on the rise. Trent Friesen said it well when he stated, "This team is hungry, and it's dinner time". The Sea Beggars open the season on Friday, January 21st when they travel to Santa Clarita, CA to face the Masters College at 2:00pm.