The Marquette club baseball team will look to capitalize on its experience when it begins its spring season with doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday against the Wisconsin-Milwaukee club baseball team.
"We have the most returning guys of any team in the conference," said senior pitcher and infielder Scott Tabernacki. "Our experience will be a strength."
With six seniors and seven juniors on the team, the Golden Eagles will look to build off a 6-8 record during the fall season. The team finished 15-18 last spring and placed third in the National Collegiate Baseball Association Great Lakes Conference.
A veteran group of pitchers should help the team throughout the season, led by Tabernacki and fellow senior Matt Jerosz. Juniors Mike Sherwood, Ed Gaus and Joe Addy will also add experience to the staff.
"We have a pretty decent shot at winning the conference this year," Tabernacki said. "Everybody is really excited about this season."
The team will play at Simmons Park in Milwaukee this weekend, and the team will have its home opener at Harden Field against Wisconsin on April 7.
Ultimate Frisbee team loses at South Bend
The men's club Ultimate Frisbee team lost to Western Michigan in its only game at the White Smoke Tournament in South Bend, Ind., last weekend. The result wasn't as important as the experience gained, however, according to club president Mike McCleary.
"We treated it as a learning experience for our new players," McCleary said. "Our real competitive season begins in a few weeks."
He added that the team's starters did not play as much as usual in the tournament to allow other players get more playing time.
The team will now prepare for the Ultimate Players Association College Series Sectional tournament April 8-9 in Whitewater. Marquette placed fourth in its sectional last year and was able to advance to the regional tournament, but the team is looking to advance further this season, according to McCleary.
The men's team started the season strong by amassing a 7-1 record at the High Tide tournament in Savannah, Ga., over spring break, advancing to the semifinal round before losing to Oklahoma.
Volleyball finishes third in league tournament
The No. 8 men's club volleyball team placed third in the Midwest 10 conference tournament, losing to Lakeland College (Wis.) in the semifinals 21-25, 25-19, 13-15.
"We've played tight games with them all season," said club president Tom Liszka.
The team defeated Iowa State in pool play, but lost to Northern Illinois and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The team got another win in a rematch against Northern Illinois in tournament play.
After a 2-4 record in March, Marquette will look to bounce back in the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Championships this weekend at Lakeland College.