Robert Taylor
Contributing Writer
Dominican’s baseball team has high expectations as the men are preparing for a series of non-conference games this month.
The Stars have already played in Kentucky and traveled to Florida over spring break for more games. Later, they will go to Rock Island.
Veteran Head Coach Steven Hardman, says those non-conference trips are essential preparation for conference play.
“Our goals for those trips are to learn a lot about our team and who we are — what do we need to work on and what are we doing well,” he said. “Another goal is to continue to build on the culture that we have established as a program. The last goal is to come back from each trip above .500.”
With the team having 28 returning players and 10 freshmen joining them on the roster, Hardman has strong expectations for the team.
“We have been a very young team over the last two seasons and my expectation for the returning players is to take the next step and play like veterans that have done it before,” he said. “My expectation for the freshman year is to continue to adjust to the college game and take every day as a learning and developing opportunity and continue to work hard to find a role on the team.”
As for the players, they are excited to compete and have an end goal of making it to the conference tournament. Sophomore pitcher and outfielder C.J. Kalekas has high hopes for the season.
“The goal of this season is to make the NACC tournament,” he said. “This team has the opportunity to make something special and we all know how far this team can go.”
The team is set to start conference play on April 1 at Wintrust Field in Schaumburg. Fans can check the schedule at dustars.com.
