Allegany College of Maryland Men's Baseball: 2024 Season Preview
The Allegany College of Maryland Men's Baseball team is gearing up for an exciting season ahead, filled with promise and determination. Head Coach Mason Heyne is confident in the abilities of his returning sophomores, who have been diligently preparing for the challenges ahead.
Coach Heyne is eager to see what his returning sophomores bring to the table this season. Speaking of his seasoned players, Heyne remarked, "Our returning sophomores have put in the work during the off season to elevate their game to the next level." Andrew Lynch, [Christian] Toledo, Nazir Mendez, Logan Hokuf, Cody Valentine, Slade Saville, Christian Cordova, and Casey Tomasik are all expected to play pivotal roles in the Trojans' success this year.
Christian Toledo, who boasted a .395 batting average and 16 stolen bases in the 2023 season, has continued to refine his skills over the offseason. Additionally, Nazir Mendez impressed with 59 RBI's, ranking 48th among NJCAA players, alongside 47 runs scored, 9 homers, and a .435 batting average. Logan Hokuf, a key freshman contributor last year, is expected to continue his growth after contributing 20 runs and 13 RBI's.
The Trojans' pitching rotation will be anchored by Johnny Montgomery, providing stability and leadership on the mound. Coach Heyne is optimistic about the team's prospects, despite facing tough competition from established rivals such as CCBC Essex, Montgomery, Harford, Frederick, Chesapeake and Catonsville, as well as emerging challengers like Terra State, Lackawanna and Del Tech.
Furthermore, Coach Heyne emphasized the importance of pitching, "Montgomery will be the cornerstone of our pitching rotation this season," Heyne stated confidently, underscoring the significance of a strong pitching lineup in the team's success. "Using 14-15 guys for pitching will be helpful to us, and we have few transfers who weren't with us this fall that we've added to that rotation."
Coach Heyne's sentiments were echoed by his coaching staff, including Coach Tipton and Coach Rinehart, who expressed pride in the team's hard work and versatility. "We have a diverse group of players who are capable of stepping up in different positions as needed," Coach Rinehart stated, emphasizing the team's adaptability and depth. Coach Tipton "pretty proud of the guys especially with the pitching line up and how hard they work and compete in these roles."
In addition to focusing on the upcoming season, the Allegany College of Maryland Men's Baseball team reflects on their performance in 2023. The Trojans finished the season with a respectable 28-21 overall record, showcasing their competitiveness and determination on the field. However, their journey came to an end after being eliminated by CCBC Essex on May 9th, in a hard-fought battle at home. Despite the disappointment of the loss, the Trojans remain determined to build upon their successes and push even further in the upcoming season.
In addition to focusing on the upcoming season, the Allegany College of Maryland Men's Baseball team takes pride in the success of their former players. Eleven former Trojans from the 2023 season have moved on to universities to continue their baseball careers:
Their success serves as a testament to the quality of players developed at Allegany College of Maryland, and the Trojans look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence both on and off the field.
As the Allegany College of Maryland Men's Baseball team prepares to kick off their 2024 campaign, anticipation is high among players and fans alike. With talent, dedication, and a hunger for success, the Trojans are ready to make their mark on the diamond once again. So mark your calendars and get ready for a day of thrilling baseball action on February 18th as the Trojans take on preseason ranked 15th, Lackawanna College in a doubleheader showdown at home. First pitch at noon.
