The sun is shining the grass is meticulously cut and the bases are sparkling white. Opening Day of the 2010 baseball season is finally here.
It really is the most wonderful time of the year. You can push the reset button and give it another go. It’s a completely fresh start.
Last season is a distant memory and for the Waves one they’d like to forget. Following a hot start in ‘09 hitters suddenly went cold at the plate and the team’s goal of reaching Omaha soon became unattainable.
In order for Pepperdine to get back to the College World Series this summer I think the Waves will have to quickly overcome a steep learning curve. Thirteen players are new to the roster giving head coach Steve Rodriguez plenty of options— yet at the same time many gray hairs.
Multiple question marks surround this year’s squad. Who will be the double play combination up the middle? Which freshmen will see significant playing time? Is this a rebuilding year?
Amid these challenges a new season inevitably brings a few things are certain.
Two senior starters are back healthy this year following injury-shortened campaigns in 2009.
Fifth-year senior Robert Dickmann will play a large role for the Waves’ pitching staff both on the mound come game day but also as a mentor for all the young gunslingers. Dickmann was sidelined for most of 2009 with a torn back muscle so having him back on the field gives Pepperdine an edge to begin the season.
Senior catcher Trent Diedrich will captain a solid defensive core from behind the plate as well as provide a consistently dangerous bat in the middle of the lineup.
The Waves were picked to finish No. 2 in the West Coast Conference by Baseball America but if the newcomers can set aside the bright lights of collegiate baseball and contribute quickly and often Pepperdine will find itself at Rosenblatt Stadium come June.
