LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Collegiate baseball is back in Southwest Florida. FGCU kicks off its 2023 season this weekend with one of the most talented rosters in the entire ASUN Conference.
“I think we’re going to have one of the best years we’ve ever had here at FGCU,” head coach Dave Tollett said.
FGCU has high expectations this season and are ready to get over the hump. In the past, the Eagles have finished toward the top of the conference many times. However, Tollett and company have only won the ASUN once, and that was back in 2017. Those shortcomings, including last year’s early exit, are fueling this season’s run.
“It definitely left a bad taste in our mouth,” first baseman Joe Kinker said. “We definitely want to go deeper into the playoffs and just finish ball games.”
The Eagles will have a good chance at doing exactly that, thanks to an uber-talented roster. Four FGCU players – Alejandro Figueredo, Brian Ellis, Harrison Povey, and Joe Kinker – were named to the Preseason All-ASUN Team. In addition, Figueredo was selected as the Preseason Conference Player of the Year. Plus, Figueredo and Kinker earned preseason All-American nods.
“From an offensive side, I feel pretty good about us,” Tollett said.
“It’s an honor to give that award to my school. It’s not just me,” Figueredo said about the player of the year honor.
FGCU was predicted to finish third in the conference in the ASUN preseason poll, receiving two first-place votes. The Eagles only sit behind Liberty and Kennesaw State. Third in the preseason is nice, but FGCU is focused on ending the season at number one.
“The goal is to go all the way to Omaha,” Kinker said. “It starts with the conference tournament and then on from there.”
Before they get there, the Eagles have to play the regular season. FGCU starts with a four-game series this weekend against Hofstra. The first game is Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Swanson Stadium.
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