SALEM, Ore. – For the Corban University baseball team, last year's campaign began with much uncertainty, and finished with an impressive list of accomplishments. Coming off an underwhelming 14-31 (8-24 NAIA West) record in 2017, and entering the campaign with a new head coach, Warrior fans had numerous reasons to be content with the squad's strong 2018 showing—during which the team finished 28-26 and came up just two wins shy of a trip to the NAIA National Tournament.

2019 ROSTER
2019 SCHEDULE

Head coach Derek Legg is anything but content with having another respectable season, however, and his new-look squad is hungry to make noise in one the country's most competitive conferences—the NAIA West. 

"Tomorrow is a new season," said Legg. "The way we build for the future is to continue to build the culture of Warrior Baseball in every area. Knowing what it takes for our club to find success and pursuing that daily." 

It's no secret the Warriors' 2019 quest will feature a number of new faces, as Corban's entire starting rotation will look different from the year prior. Just 77 of the Warriors' 452 innings on the mound last year have returned, meaning Legg will rely on a handful of key returning arms and a number of exciting additions to shoulder the load in the upcoming spring campaign.

Among these, Jonathan Russomano figures to play a key role on the bump in his senior season. The most experienced pitcher on Corban's roster, Russomano's electric stuff and big-game experience should factor in as he transitions from a late-inning reliever to everyday starter.

Though youthful, a number of pitchers could see significant innings as Legg and head pitching coach Caleb Virtue attempt to navigate opposing lineups. Jackson Arnsdorf enters his sophomore campaign having displayed flashes of dominance in 2018, and junior college transfer Zachary Filos has showcased an aptitude for commanding both sides of the plate throughout the offseason. Also transferring in from the junior college level, Tanner Lundberg will look to make an immediate impact on the bump after pitching for two years at nearby Clark College.

Zackary Simon—an exciting two-way addition from Las Vegas, Nev.—could make a significant impact in a variety of ways for the Navy and Gold in 2019, with his plus fastball and off-speed command allowing him to get outs from both the rotation and the bullpen. 

Offensively, Corban will look to build upon its strong 2018 output, which consisted of the second-highest run total (323) in program history. A pair of All-NAIA West standouts, Josh Ebert (.352 avg., 26 RBIs, 23 SBs in 2018) and Daniel Freiburger (.345 avg., 47 runs, 28 RBIs, 21 SBs in 2018) will be back to jump-start the Warrior offense, with the duo's ability to run and handle the bat playing perfectly into Legg's high-action offense. Newcomer Nate Cantonwine is similarly gifted at the plate, and should garner significant at-bats in the middle of the order.

The Warriors will once again look to Ben Ross, Corban's home run leader last year, to serve as a key run-producer in 2019. Joining him will be Brendan Yawn, a 6' 3" junior transfer from Williston State College, who provides another heart-of-the-lineup weapon to the Warrior arsenal.

Corban fans can expect a similar up-tempo offense in the upcoming spring campaign, with Legg likely to utilize his trademark blend of small ball, aggressive base running, and situational hitting to apply consistent pressure on opposing defenses.

It'll be trial by fire for the Navy and Gold, as the Warriors kick off their season on the road tomorrow at No. 13-ranked William Jessup University, the 2018 Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) regular-season and conference-tournament champions. The following weekend will consist of another difficult road challenge, as Corban travels further south to Santa Barbara, Calif. for a four-game set with No. 25-ranked Westmont College.

The 2019 home-opener will take place on the weekend of February 9-10, with the Warriors hosting Menlo College as part of an eight-game homestand prior to conference play beginning.

Corban's NAIA West schedule begins on February 23, with the young and exciting Warriors traveling to Lewiston, Idaho to challenge No. 5 Lewis-Clark State College in the inaugural series of what promises to be another competitive conference regiment.

"I say this every year at our first meeting: our goal is to win a national championship," added Legg. "I believe that if we work hard enough, if we compete as a team and not as individuals. and if we believe in ourselves, then why can't it be us raising that trophy in Lewiston at the end of the year? Nobody outside of our locker room has to believe it, but if everyone inside those walls believes it can happen, then that's a scary team."