While its season does not start until spring, the Tech baseball team is already preparing for next season.
The Golden Eagles featured a series of intrasquad scrimmages this fall and hosted the annual Purple and Gold series. The Purple and Gold series is a best three out of four series that feature two teams, a purple team and a gold team.
Senior players draft the remaining players to both teams. The baseball team encouraged fans to come out to watch their scrimmages.
“We had our family day on Saturday,” said head coach Matt Bragga. “We had about 200 to 250 fans come that day. It was great for us and our guys.”
One of the main goals of fall practice is to get an idea of where the team is in its preparation for the upcoming season. Coach Bragga said he is already noticing somepositives from his squad.
“When I look at our team this fall, I see really good pitching depth,” said Bragga. “We also have really good player leaders. We have passed the baton from last year’s seniors to this year’s seniors.”
With the fall coming to a close, Bragga said he felt that the team had accomplished what they needed.
“I am happy with our progress,” said Bragga.
Tech’s baseball team had one of the best seasons in the program’s history during its 2013 campaign. The Golden Eagles finished the season with a 40-17 record, which included a huge upset of the second ranked Vanderbilt, in Nashville. The team also won the OVC regular season championship.
Tech baseball has won three OVC titles in the past five years. Coach Bragga wants to keep his team focused on continuing its success in 2014.
“We do not want to rest on last year’s success,” said Bragga. “Last year is over. We are preparing for this year. The chase is on.”