APSU Athletics has experienced many changes over the past year, including the dismissal of longtime coach Gary McClure from the baseball program in August.
Shortly thereafter, former Jacksonville State assistant Travis Janssen was charged with the task of returning the Govs to the heights they experienced a few seasons ago.
On the heels of a 25-26 (15-15 Ohio Valley Conference) campaign, pre-season Co-OVC Player of the Year Logan Gray returns to the lineup. The junior third baseman hit .366 with 14 homeruns and 39 RBI before suffering a hand injury that sidelined him for the final weeks of last season.
Gray was also named to the pre-season All-American team by d1baseball.com.
Along with Gray, junior Alex Robles returns for the Govs. While on the mound last season, Robles went 6-3 with a 3.31 ERA and 65 strikeouts. He also batted .328 with 39 RBIs.
Senior right-hander Jared Carkuff also returns, and he looks to build on a season that saw him finish with a record of 5-5 and an ERA of 4.63.
Coach Travis Janssen’s first season at the helm begins with a three game set at Raymond Hand Park against the Bradley University Braves on Friday, Feb. 19.
The Govs’ home slate this season features games against OVC foes Eastern Illinois, Murray State, Southeastern Missouri, Eastern Kentucky and the University of Tennessee at Martin.
The non-conference portion of the home schedule will see Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Western Kentucky, Lipscomb, Middle Tennessee State University and Oklahoma University visiting Clarksville, Tennessee.
Additionally, the Governors Cup Challenge, which runs from Feb. 26 to Feb. 28, will host Alcorn State, University of Connecticut and Missouri State.
OVCsports.com released their pre-season rankings with APSU in third place with 150 votes.
Robles is also named to the pre-season All-OVC team as a starting pitcher and utility player. Last season, Robles was the first player in OVC history to be selected to the All-OVC team in two separate positions.
The OVC Tournament runs from May 25 to May 29 in Jackson, Tennessee
