St. Cloud State
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Huskies Kick Off 2019 Season at Minute Maid Park
1/31/2019 6:31:00 PM | Baseball
SCSU opens up against No. 6 Texas A&M Kingsville on Friday, Feb. 1 at Minute Maid Park, the home of the Houston Astros
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TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
HOUSTON WINTER INVITATIONAL
The three-game set is hosted at Minute Maid Park by the Houston Astros and the University of Central Missouri. This year marks the seventh year of the tournament, and the second time the Huskies have participated. This year's field of six teams consists of No. 20 University of Central Missouri, Arkansas Tech, (RV) St. Cloud State, St. Mary's, Tarleton State and No. 6 Texas A&M Kingsville.Â
HISTORY IN HOUSTON
St. Cloud State's first appearance at the Houston Winter Invitational came in 2016, where SCSU went 3-0 against St. Mary's (14-10), Tarleton State (12-3) and Central Missouri (2-1). The Huskies went on to finish 43-10 (23-8 NSIC) while capturing the NSIC Tournament crown and hosting the NCAA Central Region in 2016.
Highlighting the weekend for SCSU was current redshirt senior, Sheldon Miks' complete game three-hitter against Central Missouri in the final day of the Invitational. Miks struck out 12 while only allowing one earned run and two walks in his 123 pitch performance.Â
PRESEASON ACCOLADES
Dominic Austing NSIC Player to Watch, All-Region (NCWBA), All-American
Mitch Mallek NSIC Player to Watch, All-Region (NCWBA), All-American
Sheldon Miks All-Region Second Team (NCBWA)
SCSU #39 National Ranking (Collegiate Baseball Newspaper), Receiving votes in the NCBWA national poll, #4 Central Region (NCBWA), #4 NSIC Regular Season
VETERAN PRESENCE
SCSU is returning seven of their nine starters in the field and each pitcher who recorded at least one start on the mound in 2018. Caeden Harris, Mitch Mallek, Mathew Meyer, Ethan Ibarra and Jordan Joseph started in all of the Huskies' 47 games last season, while Aaron Hammann recorded 42 starts at second base in 2018. Dom Austing returns after posting a 7-1 record with a 1.94 ERA through 78.2 innings. Austing recorded a team-high of 76 strikeouts while only allowing nine walks to earn 2018 All-NSIC and All-Region honors. 2X-All American Sheldon Miks also returns after making a brief return at the end of 2018.Â
NEW GUYS
The Huskies are filling holes in the designated hitter spot as well as in center field and behind the dish with the graduation of Isaac Matchinsky, Jackson Goplen and Bo Schmitz. The trio each compiled at least 45 starts, while Goplen started each of SCSU's 47 games in 2018. Arizona natives, Najee Gaskins and Lenny Walker will make early contributions in the SCSU outfield while USC-Upstate transfer Toran Shahidi is looking to make an immediate impact as the catcher. Blake Flint also joins the Huskies' staff after enjoying a NJCAA All-American season at Paradise Valley CC.Â
NOTABLES
14 The largest senior class in SCSU Baseball history.
4 Consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances entering the 2019 season.
67 Strikeouts needed by Dominic Austing to be the all-time leader for strikeouts in program history. (Currently 6th with 208)
93 RBI's needed by Mathew Meyer to become the program's all-time leader. (Currently 18th with 105.)
