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Bethel Baseball Begins February 2 at Home

Posted

Bat Cats Ready for 2021 Campaign  

MCKENZIE, Tenn. - Coach Rusty Thompson (329-258-3) enters his 14th season as the Wildcat skipper. Coach Thompson and his staff are eager for the 2021 season hoping to build off the success from the 2020 campaign. Assistant Coach Nick Thompson enters his 14th season while Lee Whitaker enters his fourth as an assistant. 

Bethel returns eight starters from the 2020 campaign. The Wildcats will return the entire pitching staff for the upcoming season. A good mix of depth on the bench will also serve the Wildcats greatly during the 2021 season, which will prove to be a great key for dreams of a championship run. Bethel was 10-9 overall during the Covid shortened season.

Pitchers

Brandon Degnegaard will return for his fourth season and third season as a conference starter. Degnegaard was an SSAC All-Conference player two seasons ago and only hopes to be better this year. Giovannie Nieves returns after a 2019 campaign in which he received SSAC awards as well. Nieves will be the anchor at the back end of a dominant bullpen that will welcome back Antonio Costas and Danny Lara. The Wildcats will also return their young depth featuring Marco Santa  who is primed to be a force in the rotation. Trey Boren, Chandler Harmon, Caden Davidson, Alex Valcarcel, and Alexis Rodriguez will all play key roles on the staff as well. 

Catchers

Senior Randy Guevarez and Junior Jacob Foster return for the 2021 campaign.  Foster returns from a 2019 campaign in which he received SSAC All-Conference honors behind the plate. Guevarez returns as a proven defensive specialist.  

Infielders 

The Wildcats return some familiar faces on the infield for the 2021 campaign. Sebastian Cortes, Ruber Medina, and Jack Surber are all back for their senior seasons. Their experience will prove as a great asset for the Cats. The additions of Hunter Hudson and John FIguroa will add depth both offensively and defensively. Luis Aristud, Logan Beecham, and Brandon Armor will round out the group. 

Outfielders

Nick Proto will return in his final season for the Cats. Proto has received SSAC honors and looks to continue to build upon his impressive resume. Junior Juan Torres will take a new role as he will move to the outfield to showcase his talents. The Wildcats will return Baylor Steelman, Bryan Catala, and Noah Miller for depth also adding Barrone Porter to the rotation.

The Wildcats open their season Feb. 2 at home versus Brescia in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

Bethel was chosen to finish seventh in the Mid-South Preseason Coaches' Poll.   

Bethel University Protocols for Baseball Teams & Fans

Precautions and measures for teams, coaches and support staff  

  • MSC guidelines are being followed. These guidelines include but are not limited to :

1 - Coach/Player education about how to slow/prevent the spread of COVID-19

2 - Daily screening, pre-travel screening

3- Cleaning and sanitizing of materials and facilities used and to be used

4 - Dugout maximums

5 - Masks being worn in the dugouts

Precautions for fans & staff –Outside the Playing Field

  • No seating in the bleachers
  • Fans are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket and sit outside the fence down either side or on the concrete behind the bleachers
  • Masks required at all times 
  • We ask that fans do their best to not intermingle closely with players not in their family group before or after the game

These measures are subject to change with further details to be posted at www.bethelathletics.com

Protocols for all other sports will be released soon at www.bethelathletics.com