After a 365-day hiatus, Concordia University Chicago baseball is back in action on Saturday, March 13, as they travel to Greencastle, Ind. to take on the Tigers of Depauw University. 

The 2020 campaign ended after just 10 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the team posting a 5-5 record. It meant the end of the road for seven Cougar seniors, five of which appeared in two College World Series. It also meant the team's quest for eight straight conference titles had to be put on hold for a year. 

This year's schedule features 40 games, which includes 32 conference games as well as non-conference contests against Depauw University, Wheaton College, North Park University and North Central College. Head Coach Kolin Conner believes the highlights of the regular season schedule are Aurora and North Central, both of whom are ranked. 

"Our goal is to compete at the highest level every day and have a blast doing it," Conner said. "The yearly goal is to win the conference, host and win the regional, and compete for the World Series. If we do everything listed above, these goals should take care of themselves." 

Conner wants this group of guys to be known as winners and to continue the long tradition of really good teams who stepped on that field. He hopes people will watch his team and see 38 guys who are having a blast and are present in the moment. 

One of the reasons for the coach's expectations is how consistently the team goes about their business. 

"We have a group that's had to overcome a lot so that sets us up pretty well in the game of baseball," Conner said. "More often than not, this game doesn't go your way. Our guys do such a fantastic job of being resilient." 

The team will need to fill the void of Adam Gregory, who Coach Conner called one of the best pitchers to ever step foot on campus. The Palos Heights, Ill. native was a perfect 12-0 in his Cougar career, with a 1.60 ERA in 107 innings pitched. 

Senior Cole Carman (Littleton, Colo.) will anchor the 2021 rotation, with sophomore Chandler Kerr (Lockport, Ill.) slotted right behind him. Coach Conner spoke highly of Carman's experience and said he knows what it looks like to be a part of the program, while Kerr keeps getting better each day. Freshman Wyatt McLaughlin (Cave Creek, Ill.) is another pitcher to look out for once he's healthy. 

The go-to arm out of the bullpen will be senior Cade Laudenschlager (Cave Creek, Ariz.). His experience allows for him to be used in many high-leverage situations throughout the year. Juniors Mike Tobin (Hickory Hills, Ill.) and Zach Litke (Oak Lawn, Ill.) will also contribute out of the pen. Tobin was all-region as a freshman in 2019. 

Coach Conner's daily lineup will feature sophomore third baseman Garry Maynard (Oswego, Ill.) in the lead-off spot, senior first baseman Brody Mariotti in the cleanup spot and junior Kevin Garcia (Chicago, Ill.) will hit behind him in the 5-hole. Garcia will serve as the game one catcher and designated hitter when he's not a part of the battery. Michael Zavoli (Lake Barrington, Ill.) will catch every second game in the team's doubleheaders. Coach Conner praised the junior's athleticism and ability to throw the ball from behind the plate. 

Speed off the bench is going to be a major factor for the 2021 Cougars. Junior Niles Gall (Oak Lawn, Ill.) is the team's fourth outfielder and presents a threat late in games as a pinch-runner. Freshman Elijah Hickman (Rennselaer, Ind.) also figures to be a late-game factor on the basepaths and a solid defensive replacement. 

The on-field expectations are obviously high, but there is a lot that Coach Conner hopes the team accomplishes off the field as well. 

"I want our guys to be known as quality, respectful people who carry themselves with confidence," Conner said. "I want them to be known as people who take care of school, have a healthy social life and prove that they can handle the day-to-day aspects of life. I also want them to be known as people who find joy in life and are very process driven."