'Shovel Boys' aim to do something special in 2023

Jan 30 | By: David Wilson, Assistant AD-Communications

DENVER, Colo. — During the past three seasons under the leadership of head coach Drew LaComb, and throughout navigating the challenges of the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020-21, the Regis University baseball team has carefully and meticulously created its identity.

The 'Shovel Boy' mentality is not simply a tongue-and-cheek nod to the amount of field maintenance required from collegiate baseball players who call the Rocky Mountain region home. It has come to exemplify the type of relentless, gritty and determined individuals needed to build a program.

Regis earned validation for its efforts in 2022, finishing above .500 for the second straight season (27-24-1 overall, 20-12 RMAC) and surging to a second-place finish in the RMAC standings; the program's highest finish since rejoining the conference in 1997.

The Rangers, picked third in the RMAC Coaches' Preseason Poll for this spring, have worked tirelessly to join the upper echelon of RMAC teams. And as they get ready to start the 2023 campaign this weekend down in California against Concordia University-Irvine (Feb. 2-4), they plan on staying there.

"I think last year meant a lot to our program. A big goal of mine, and I think a good goal for our kids, is that we want to be getting better every year. And I think over the last three years, we've proven as a team and as a program that we've continued to get better," said LaComb, who was voted the 2022 RMAC Baseball Coach of the Year by his peers. "The goal for this year's group is to build off last year's success. The senior class and guys on our team in 2022 set new standards and expectations that we need to be top-2, top-3 in our conference year in and year out."

RETURNERS
The Rangers have plenty of reasons to be encouraged for the 2023 outlook, with one main reason being the amount of returning, experienced talent back on the roster this spring.

Regis welcomes back four every day starters in first baseman senior Matt Marlow, senior third baseman Colten Chase, sophomore shortstop Zach Daudet and junior center fielder Levi Padilla, as well as key contributors and starting caliber players in catcher Reagan Guthrie, sophomore outfielder Joey Cicini, and senior utility player Austin Vaught; all of whom started 18 or more games in 2022.

Chase, a Second Team All-RMAC player in 2022, had a career year in 2022 as he set personal highs in batting average (.380), home runs (4), doubles (16) and stolen bases, swiping 24 bags in 26 attempts. He also finished tied for second on the Rangers with 44 runs batted in and started all 44 games he appeared in.

Marlow (.363/.433/.702, 13 HR, 54 RBI) and Daudet (.331/.495/.535, 4 HR, 29 RBI) each garnered RMAC Honorable Mention selections, while Padilla (.348/.428/.555) was named to the RMAC Gold Glove Team.

"I think the biggest thing we've noticed with our returners this fall was some growth and maturity, both mentally, physically and emotionally, as well," LaComb said. "Watching them go about their business from a position player standpoint; we're seeing them grow, they're becoming adults and you can see there is a confidence level amongst them. They have a better idea of the work ethic and time they need to put in for our team to be successful this year."

Regis also welcomes back a wealth of pitching experience, including RMAC Honorable Mention right-hander Porter Hardcastle (4-2, 5.96 ERA, 43 Ks, 23 BB, 51.1 IP) and RMAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year, Brady Gilmore (3-4, 6.65 ERA, 36 Ks, 44.2 IP).

Junior left-hander Ethan Sloan, junior right-hander Dylan De Leon and sophomore right-hander Blake Shepardson are three other returners the Rangers are excited about who could see time in the rotation or out of the bullpen.

"We have more depth in our pitching staff this year and we added some key guys that are going to round out our staff. Justin (Kleinsorge) is a really hard pitcher to replace, but with our staff we do bring back experience," said LaComb, referring to the Rangers' ace last year that led all RMAC pitchers with 103 strikeouts in 2022. "I feel confident with this group and the majority of our staff is back. They've got another year under their belts, more growth and maturity. I'm excited to see these guys build upon what they did last year."

The Rangers' arm depth extends to the bullpen, where they also bring back experienced back-end pieces in graduate student Michael May, seniors Luke Luebker, Caleb Ayers and Luke Douthitt, sophomore Cam Bushnell, as well as junior Logan Deskin, who led all Regis pitchers in saves (4) and opponent batting average (.229).

"I think everyone in the RMAC can say that pitching is the separator," LaComb said. "Being at elevation, we want to shrink the game. If we have the lead by the sixth or seventh inning, we want to have enough quality back-end bullpen arms we're confident can shut the game down for us."

NEWCOMERS
Following the graduation of nine seniors or graduate students from a season ago, the Rangers went and added key, complimentary pieces to their existing core in the offseason.

Sophomore right-hander Mason Ashcraft, a 6'5 Division I transfer from the University of New Mexico, is projected to be a weekend starter for the Rangers.

A potential batterymate for Ashcraft behind the plate is junior catcher Austin Hamilton, who comes to Regis following two years at Redlands Community College.

"The biggest thing I can say with our newcomers is we've added a lot of talent and a lot of depth at positions, so it's going to be competitive," LaComb said. "Some guys who have proven well in the fall that I think will help us are Austin (Hamilton), a catcher who gives us some depth behind Reagan. We also have a couple outfielders who can really swing it with Maxim Fullerton (Northeast CC) and Cam Dalrymple (Lake Michigan CC). Then we also brought in a few infielders that give us some left-handed hitters in CJ Difiglia (Howard CC) and Vinnie Lagatta (Central Arizona). They're pieces that fit with the returning starters we have and I think they can make a big difference in our lineup."

SEASON OUTLOOK
The Rangers will spend the first two weeks of the regular season out on the road, starting with a four-game series against Concordia University-Irvine this week (Feb. 2-4), followed by a trip to Kansas to face Pittsburg State (Feb. 10-12).

Regis then returns home to host another Kansas foe in Fort Hays State, beginning with a 2 p.m. matchup Friday, Feb. 17 at the Regis Baseball Field.

While the RMAC portion of the schedule doesn't officially get underway until March 10 with Game One of a four-game series against Adams State, the Rangers know that these non-conference games will be important if they are to reach their ultimate goal in 2023; playing in a NCAA regional for the first time since 2012.

"With this group, we've really had to work hard and compete to build as a program and get better. There's a lot of effort and time that has to go in to create progress. I think we've gotten to a point now where, we've added some key players, and I feel like we have the talent and depth to do some special things," LaComb said. "We don't want to lose sight of the 'Shovel Boy' mentality, and the grit and toughness that has gotten us to this point. If we can combine the talent and depth we have, and the toughness and work ethic instilled in our program, I can see some special things this year with this group."

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