Get to Know the Augustana Baseball Roster
Contents
In order to get to know the Augustana baseball roster you must first understand the concept of “roster.” A roster is a list of all the players on a team.
Introduction
The 2018 baseball season is just around the corner and the Augustana Vikings are looking to build on their success from last year. Head Coach Tim Huxtable has put together a talented group of players that will look to compete for a conference title Here is a closer look at the roster:
The Roster
Augustana Baseball is made up of 33 student-athletes from 11 different states. There are 19 pitchers, five infielders, six outfielders and three catchers on the roster. Of the 33 rostered players, 15 are upperclassmen and 18 are freshmen or sophomores.
Prior to attending Augustana, 24 of the 33 rostered players competed at the junior college level and nine played high school baseball
The Coaches
Augustana college baseball has a rich tradition of success, dating back to its inception in 1890. The team has seen countless All-Americans and Major League Baseball players come through its ranks, including Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau. Today, the Vikings are coached by Matt Sos brewers who took over the team in 2006.
Since taking over as head coach Sorbers has led the Vikings to five conference championships and six appearances in the NCAA Division III tournament. In 2014, the team won a school-record 41 games en route to a second-place finish in the nation.
Sorbers is assisted by pitching coach Marty Anderson and hitting coach/recruiting coordinator Pete Gowers. Anderson is entering his 12th season with the program, while Gowers is in his sixth season.
The Schedule
The schedule for the 2017 baseball season has been released.
The Vikings will play their home opener on Sunday, March 5th at 1:00 PM against the University of Sioux Falls
The team will then travel to Mankato, Minnesota to take on Minnesota State University on March 7-8.
The Fans
Augustana baseball is fortunate to have some of the most passionate and dedicated fans in all of college baseball They can be found occupying the best seats in the house every game, cheering on their team with unrelenting enthusiasm. The fans play a vital role in making Augustana baseball what it is today, and they are an integral part of the program.
We asked a few of our fans to share their thoughts on what it means to be an Augustana baseball fan Here’s what they had to say:
“To me, being an Augustana baseball fan means always being there for my team, no matter what. I’ve been going to games since I was a kid, and I can’t imagine not being a part of this program. There’s nothing like being at the ballpark on a beautiful summer day, rooting for my boys as they take the field. It’s just a part of who I am.” – Tim from Moline, IL
“I became an Augustana baseball fan when my son started playing for the team. It was such a great experience watching him play at such a high level, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of it for as long as I could. Now that he’s graduated, I still make it out to as many games as I can. It’s just something that I really enjoy doing. Plus, it gives me an excuse to eat hot dogs and drink beer!” – Sue from Rock Island IL
“I’ve been an Augustana baseball fan since 2001, when Coach Evans took over the program. He’s done an incredible job turning this team into a perennial contender, and I’m proud to say that I’ve been there with them every step of the way. It’s been an amazing ride, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Augustana Baseball.” – Scott from Davenport, IA
The Stadium
The Augustana baseball team play their home games at the brand new Augustana Ballpark, which opened in 2019. The $13.5 Million Dollar facility is located on the east side of campus and boasts a seating capacity of 2,500 fans. The ballpark also houses a state-of-the-art clubhouse, weight room, and training facilities for the Augustana Baseball Team
The History
The Augustana baseball team has been a Division III powerhouse for years. The team has made the playoffs in 25 of the last 27 seasons, including 21 trips to the College World Series The Vikings have won four National Championships most recently in 2016.
The Augustana baseball roster is full of talented players from all over the country. The team is made up of players from 12 different states, with Illinois being the most represented state with 13 players. Other represented states include Iowa (8), Nebraska (6), Wisconsin (4), Minnesota (3), Missouri (2), Kansas (1), and South Dakota (1).
The Tradition
Augustana baseball has a long tradition of success. The team has won 11 College World Series titles, the most of any Division III school, and has made 27 appearances in the NCAA Division III tournament. The Vikings have also produced 27 Major League Baseball players, including Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew
The Future
Augustana baseball is excited to announce its incoming class of recruits for the 2020 season. This group of talented young players will help Augustana continue its tradition of excellence on the diamond. Here is a closer look at the future of Augustana baseball:
Jack Barton – Jack is a versatile player who can pitch and play multiple positions in the field. He comes to Augustana from Oak Park, Illinois, where he was a two-time All-Conference selection. Jack’s hard work and dedication will be a valuable asset to the team.
Connor Casey – Connor is a left-handed pitcher who hails from Northbrook, Illinois. He was named All-Conference as a junior and senior in High School and he helped lead his team to a conference championship in 2018. Connor is a fierce competitor on the mound, and he will be a key member of the pitching staff.
Derek Christensen – Derek is an infielder from Carpentersville, Illinois. He was a three-time All-Conference selection in high school and he helped lead his team to back-to-back conference championships. Derek’s experience and leadership will be invaluable to Augustana baseball.
Tyler DStarting pitcher Tyler Driscoll is from Arlington Heights, Illinois. As a junior in high school Tyler was named All-Conference after posting an 8-1 record with a 1.96 ERA. He has excellent control of his pitches, and he will be one of the anchors of the pitching staff.
These are just some of the talented players that make up Augustana’s incoming class. With this group of recruits, Augustana baseball has a bright future ahead!
Conclusion
The Augustana baseball team is looking to improve on their already strong performance from last year. They have a lot of experienced returners, as well as some talented new recruits. Get to know the roster so you can follow them throughout the season!