By Jackson Smith
Staff Writer

Baseball season seems far away. Thanksgiving is around the corner and Mariah Carey is slowly but surely melting. Even with those factors in play, there’s no issue springing ahead to take an early look at what’s happening beyond the batter’s box.

Cougars baseball doesn’t take its first at-bat until February, just in time for early spring flowers to bloom.

While last season wasn’t exactly a home run with a 10-6 record at home and a 5-15 record for away games (15-21 overall), there were still bright spots. They held a sustainable on base percentage of .364, batting .232 as a team with a total of 151 runs through the season. This year, the team looks to maintain these numbers and hit on some areas where they previously lacked. 

This year there are 45 players trying to secure a spot on CCC’s team. but only 24 players can make the cut. Cuts take place through late Autumn into Winter, usually producing a final roster by late January. This happens just in time for the season to begin in late February.

Head coach Jim Hoppel poses for a photo. Photos by Addy Stone

 “It’s a very hard decision. I mean, I tell them day one, the hardest thing for me to do is to have to let a guy go. Our numbers just don’t allow that many guys to stay on the team,” head coach Jim Hoppel said.

This doesn’t just affect the coaches, it also impacts players. Among the many players on the roster, Anderson Tordiffe from British Columbia, Canada, returns to the school in his second year. Being a starting pitcher, Tordiffe holds a lot of promise for the team’s future.

Tordiffe works out in the weight room.

Tordiffe held a solid batting against average of .260 accompanied by an impressive 50 strikeouts with 21 walks last season. This season he looks to further his skillset.

Being a team player means to lead by example. Tordiffe believes when it comes to teammates being cut, if they aren’t willing to set their goals in front of them, he can’t help them improve. 

“As far as pitchers go, I know that they can take the reins on their own path. If they make decisions that aren’t aligning with their goals, then I can’t do anything to help them,” Tordiffe said.

The competition that comes with a roster that size has a huge effect on how players perform in the offseason.

“Honestly, it just pushes me harder. I don’t like to lose…whether it’s eating right, sleeping right, lifting well… that’s where I’m gonna work my hardest.” Tordiffe said. 

A good skillset isn’t enough for the group Hoppel is trying to build. 

“We want guys that are going to come in here and fit the mold we’re trying to fit, make sure guys are working hard every day and not taking days off, making guys around them better,” Hoppel said. 

Being a starting pitcher, Tordiffe carries a lot of weight on his shoulders as an upcoming star. Many will start to look toward him for leadership.

“You can only help people that want to be helped, when someone comes to me asking for something, I’m going to make sure they get the right communication… what I would do for myself to get better, I would put that same effort into someone else,” said Tordiffe.

Hoppel strives to create a team of winners. Earlier this year, Bryson Glassco, a shortstop for last year’s squad, transferred to Division I baseball at Oregon State University. 

Ben Elmshaeuser works out in the weight room.

As the season approaches, students can get ready to cheer on Cougars baseball and bring an energetic atmosphere to the stands while the team defends home plate.

For now in this crisp autumn air, the guys stay in the weight room brushing off the dust, competing with one another for a spot and improving this upcoming season.