Sophomore pitcher Harrison Cowdrey was Centre’s No. 3 starter last year when he went 6-2 but he will be the No. 1 pitcher this season. (Centre Athletics Photo)
It might not feel or look like baseball season should be here but Centre College is scheduled to open play Feb. 15 with a home series against Wittenberg.
Coach Drew Briese’s team is coming off a historic 2024 season when it finished ranked 25 by D3baseball.com with a 36-13 finish that includes the Colonels’ first outright conference championship ever, first conference tournament title and first NCAA Tournament appearance.
“Last season is something we want to build on,” said Briese. “The hallmark of a program is when you have guys confident they can compete against anybody on any given day. That is a winning mentality you pass down. Now we go into every game with the expectation we are going to win, which is a little different than when we got here (in 2016).
“We don’t have to live up to the expectations of 2024 and are not going to say we have to win this many games. Our league is incredibly difficult and one of the most competitive conferences in Division III. We know every weekend (of conference play) will be a dogfight.”
The Colonels have 19 newcomers — 17 freshmen and two transfers — to help offset the loss of 12 seniors off last year’s team.
“We set out to recruit a bigger class and bring guys in who could compete for starting positions,” the Centre coach said. “We are going to play a lot of them (newcomers), too.”
One likely will be freshman shortstop Forrest Day of Cincinnati. Another one likely will be freshman outfield Jamison Craig of Lexington. Freshman Andrew Zimmerman of Cincinnati likely will be the No. 3 starter and freshmen Isaac Rone of Lexington, Aidan Carr of Nashville and Carson Waddle of Mount Washington all figure to be used out of the bullpen.
“Our freshmen pitchers have to cover innings for us,” Briese said. “I am excited about all our freshmen who probably will play. Forrest will have a chance to play quite a bit early and we lost two outfielders, so Jamison will have opportunities.”
Sophomore pitcher Harrison Cowdrey was Centre’s No. 3 starter last year when he went 6-2 with a 3.63 earned run average. He started 12 games, threw 62 innings and struck out 67.
“He did a great job as a freshman and tied the school record for most starts. He beat Cal Lutheran (in the NCAA Tournament). We need him to take a big step for us as the No. 1 guy this year and lock horns with the league’s best pitchers each weekend,” Briese said. “So we have played younger guys and counted on them before. It’s exciting to give freshmen an opportunity.”
Briese said most of this season’s newcomers were already committed to Centre before the Colonels won the conference championship last year and then won two NCAA Tournament games.
“That’s a testament to the trajectory of the program in an overall sense and a testament to the experience guys get here educationally and with the athletic facilities we now have,” Briese said. “Our tug field, our clubhouse are great. They can have a Division I experience here, including an indoor facility where we can train.”
Centre will be led by junior Ben Prather, a preseason all-American who played outfield, third base and designated hitter in 2024 along with pitching. He ranked in the top 10 in the Southern Athletic Association in 13 categories. He set a school record and led the conference by driving in 57 runs and hit a team-high .362 Prather also led the SAA with eight wins and ranked second (3.58) in ERA and fifth in strikeouts (77).
Catcher Evan Weyler started every game as a sophomore in 2024 and hit .299.
“He was productive defensively and offensively. We need him to be productive to help carry the offense,” Briese said.
Junior Aaron Lopez started 44 of 46 games last season and hit .274.
“He is a hard-nosed, gritty player who will need to be the captain of our defense with a young guy at shortstop,” Briese said. “We are really going to lean on him for leadership.”
