NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Playing four games in three days, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi baseball team will get its 2024 season underway this weekend with a pair of matchups against Stephen F. Austin and Central Michigan each at Pilgrim's Park.
The Islanders will officially get underway Friday at 2 p.m. against Central Michigan before rematching the Chippewas Saturday at 11 a.m. Saturday will also feature a 2 p.m. matchup against the hosts of SFA as the two teams will meet again Sunday at 11 a.m. to close opening weekend.
"I'm excited to get the team on the field, it is definitely one of the hardest working, blue-collar groups that I've had," said head coach
Scott Malone. "But that doesn't always make you win games, so I am anxious to get to put on a uniform, having an opponent in the other dugout, and just go see how we can do and how well we can play baseball."
Malone will be entering his 17
th year at the helm. Last season, he led the Islanders to 24 wins on the year and a 12-12 SLC record that included series wins over Lamar and New Orleans who were voted to finish in the top-three this year in the SLC preseason poll.
Sophomore
Christian Smith-Johnson returns as a key bat in the lineup, as the SLC Preseason Second-Team selection is coming off a freshman campaign that featured a .308 batting average, .357 slugging, and .366 on-base percentage.
Other familiar faces include sophomore
Chance Reisdorph who started 45 games last year behind the plate as well as ending the year batting a .285, and senior Sebastain Trinidad who will be seeing a role at third this year.
Opening the weekend rotation, redshirt junior
Matthew Watson will get the start on the mound for the Islanders Friday. Watson hoisted a team-high six wins last year after getting the starting nod 14 times. In 2023, he also struck out 54 batters through 78.1 innings of work.
"Friday is exciting because
Matthew Watson will return in that No. 1 starter role. He's talented, he's a hard worker, and he's a good leader. I am anxious to see the guys try and rally behind him and then just for Friday and into the weekend we'll see a lot of new faces offensively," Malone said.
In addition to the returners, A&M-Corpus Christi is hoisting a newcomer class of X as the new talent will look to make their mark in an Islanders uniform this season.
"We have a lot of talented and hard-working players, but they're also unproven at the Division I level so I am looking forward to seeing what they can do and if those guys can just relax and play baseball. It'll be fun and a good atmosphere, and these guys are ready to get on the field and put on a jersey to play," said Malone.
The Islanders are a perfect 3-0 against Central Michigan after sweeping a three-game series against the Chippewas in 2021 at home. SFA holds a slight 25-24 edge in the all-time series with A&M-Corpus Christi as the Islanders will look to even the field. In 2022, the Islanders took two out of three with the Lumberjacks including a 12-11 10-inning battle in game three.
Stay Social
For more information on Islanders Baseball, follow the team on Twitter (
@IslandersBSB), Instagram (
@IslandersBSB) and like their Facebook page (
Islanders Baseball).
#ShakasUp
