It’s springtime, the weather is getting warmer, the days are longer, and the Okanagan Coyotes baseball team is set to begin their 2024 campaign.
To start the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC) season, the Coyotes welcome the Vancouver Island University Mariners to Elks Stadium.
“It’s been a really good off-season for us,” said Coyotes head coach and San Diego Padres scout Geoff White. “We definitely have a really solid group and high expectations this year.”
The Coyotes were CCBC champions in 2022 but fell short as the University of Calgary took the title last season. Going into this year, White is excited about the roster he has from top to bottom.
“We usually have a fairly strong core returning each year but definitely some new faces for sure, which is exciting for us,” added White. “It’s a nice blend of upperclassmen and key freshmen looking to make an impact.”
In a pre-season ranking voted on by the coaches around the league, Okanagan College ranks first going into the season.
“It’s obviously nice to be recognized, it goes to show the hard work our players put in for sure but we go into each year trying to play our style of baseball day in and day out and let the chips fall where they do,” said White.
On the offensive side of the field, two of the team leaders are fifth-year outfielder Nolan King and junior Adrian Orioli, who look to have another outstanding season while patrolling the outfield.
The pitching staff is “one of the deepest we’ve ever had” according to White with the likes of Corey Lawson and Teagan Ribbink leading the charge.
Two-way player Anthony Wyslobocki will look to avoid injury troubles and make an impact on the mound and in the line-up.
First pitch on Saturday, Mar. 30 at 2 p.m. Game two will begin at 5 p.m. or half an hour after the conclusion of the first game. The two teams will also play at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 31.
The CCBC season is two months long with playoffs taking place on May long weekend.
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