Fall camp is in full swing at Allen Field. Along with a bit of a fall chill, change is definitely in the air for the Morehead State baseball team.
The 2024 season was one of the most productive seasons in school history. The Eagles notched 37 victories, tied for the second-most in school history, and came within a game of claiming the program's fifth Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship. The 2024 squad set single-season program records with 571 runs scored, 129 home runs, 1,230 total bases and 321 walks.
Change is in order for the Eagle lineup. Overall, the Eagles graduated 77% of their runs, 78% of their hits, 82% of their home runs and 79% of their runs batted in.
"We definitely lost a ton from last Spring," said Interim Head Coach Chris Rose. "Every year starts with getting the right people into the program. I feel like since I've been here, regardless of the staff, we've done a good job of getting the right people in here."
Last season, Roman Kuntz set single-season records with 33 home runs and 100 RBI, while hitting .366. Ryley Preece ended his record-setting career with 19 home runs and 62 RBI. His 59 career home runs and 249 runs scored are school records.
Second baseman Nick Gooden hit ,348 with 10 home runs and 62 RBI and was named a Gold-Glove winner by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings. Shortstop Colton Becker hit .346 with 14 homers and 60 RBI.
"You don't lose a guy like Roman Kuntz with 33 home runs and just replace him," said Rose. "We don't expect that, but I think we've upgraded in a couple of positions and filled in guys who can bring something to the table."
"Our expectation is we have to be able to be able to stop runs from scoring, to score runs yourself or drive runs in. All the guys we've brought in can do at least one of those things; a couple can do multiple of those things."
Change is also destined on the mound. Luke Helton led the OVC with a 9-2 record and 105.1 innings pitched. He holds career school records with 56 starts, 22 wins and 317 innings pitched. His 286 strikeouts rank third on the MSU career list.
In total, the 2024 Eagles staff graduated 15 of their 37 wins, 58% of their innings pitched and half of their strikeouts.
"In the last two years, we've lost some really good arms," said Rose. "But I'm really excited about this freshman class. This is the best freshman class of pitchers we've brought in since I've been here."
Despite losing much of their production both at the plate and on the mound, Rose is optimistic. "So far, the club has exceeded my expectation level, and that has allowed us to keep raising the bar," he said. "Their attention to detail and their discipline has really been great this fall. We are going to be a young team, and we might take some lumps in the pre-conference part of the season. The goal is to be ready to go a week to a week and a half before we hit conference play."
The Eagles will play two exhibition games this fall. Saturday, they will travel to Indiana State. Morehead State will journey to Lexington on October 27th to play at Kentucky.
