The baseball team faces Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma in a three-game series. This is the second weekend in a row the Bisons will play in Oklahoma, after switching locations this past weekend due to weather.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re going to be very fundamentally sound and play solid defense,\u201d head coach Patrick McGaha said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to have to go over there and find a way to get into their bullpen early in the series. Hopefully, we will get their starters off the mound and give ourselves a chance to put some runs up on the board.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city of Weatherford is known for its strong winds, which can make both pitching and batting very difficult for an opponent. Assistant coach Andy Schatzley knows it will be a tough series.<\/p>\n
\u201cWeatherford is always a tough place to go in and win,\u201d Schatzley said. \u201cHow we handle their starting pitching and what we\u2019re able to do offensively early in the games will really be what decides that series.\u201d<\/p>\n
McGaha said he is optimistic about the team\u2019s chances this season and has recognized key strengths early on.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re hitting the ball well, and we\u2019re aggressive on the base paths,\u201d McGaha said. \u201cI think we\u2019re going to have a chance to score a lot of runs this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The team is led by seven seniors and loaded with young talent. Schatzley knows that he is coaching a unique roster.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the deepest roster that we\u2019ve had in the last five or six years,\u201d Schatzley said. \u201cI don\u2019t know that we\u2019ve had better chemistry than we\u2019ve got right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freshman infielder David Butterfield and freshman pitcher Braden Quesinberry said they already see the chemistry in the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Harding, we\u2019re around the guys and coaches the most,\u201d Butterfield said. \u201cThat time allows for relationships to be built. We like to play, and we like each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quesinberry said he began to feel personally connected on the team\u2019s mission trip to Nicaragua during Christmas break. Teammates bonded by serving and playing baseball with the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel a sense of camaraderie with this team,\u201d Quesinberry said. \u201cWe all have different personalities, yet we have each other\u2019s backs and come together as a family.\u201d<\/p>\n
McGaha has led the Bisons to five straight conference tournaments \u2014 the longest streak in Harding baseball history. With another season of accomplishments ahead, he believes there are bigger priorities to Harding baseball.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything we do, we want to glorify God with what happens,\u201d McGaha said. \u201cWe\u2019re wanting to represent the university and our families in a positive manner.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first game of the series begins at 2 p.m. today. The weekend series will conclude with doubleheader on Saturday with games at noon and 3 p.m. To keep up with the games or view the team’s schedule, visit www.hardingsports.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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