It’s October 16th at 3:40 pm, and a scrimmage is being played between the Black and the Red Team. Of course, this is just a scrimmage between the Cougars players, but it looks like Iron sharpening Iron. Minus the fans, this appears to be a real game. The Players are brimming with encouragement for each other, Strikes are called, and Home Runs are being hit. Pitcher Clayton Bumsted licks his figures before throwing out his 4th runner in a row. It doesn’t take much of a prognosis to see that this kid is going to be good. Not only does he look the part 6-4, with long arms and long blond hair, but his game also does as well. The back and forth appear competitive as a real game, and everyone is excited except one man, Head Coach Addison Rouse. Where other Coaches are noticing the plays made, Coach Rouse, while taking notes, is watching the mistakes. A pitch too high or too low, an abysmal error that gave up a score to a runner on first, and missed timing on balls that could have been hit. It’s safe to say first-year Head Coach Rouse is focused! The Cougars did not start the season well last year, losing their first three games finishing 8-10. The Cougars did, however, close the season winning their previous three before it was cut short due to COVID-19. They were tasked with making the Cougars competitive again, first-year Coach Addison Rouse plans to do just that. After serving three years as head coach for Salem University and leading the Tigers to a program history in wins in 2019. Coach Rouse is poised to bring his winning ways to the Cougars.
“Our goal for this season is to establish our culture. I’m new here, and our most important mission is to establish expectations and behaviors in our program. We believe if we do that the wins, and the on the field stuff will take care of itself. The biggest thing our team needs to do is set the tone,” said Coach Rouse.
The Cougars come into this season having lost five of their top seven hitters from a year ago, who all had over a .300 batting average. Joe Rycerz and Evan Orzech will look to lead the way and provide timely hitting for the team. Improved hitting for the returning players will be crucial for the team going forward.
“Intentional training, if we want to improve on a player’s batting average or any other skill facets, learning and realizing what a player does well and what he doesn’t do well ; Creating a training environment that’s going to allow players to grow and get the best from their skills. The bigger thing is our on-base percentage, and that’s more of an approach and mentality thing. It’s just instilling the things we believe in, our core values, our approach to hitting, our approach to the game, and then an on-base percentage will be the by-product of that result.”
– Coach Addison Rouse
Pitching and defense Certainly will be at the top of the Cougars list heading into the season. Although a short season (18 games), the Cougars gave up staggering numbers while on defense. 114 runs scored, 31 Home Runs, 110 RBI’s, 59 Walks, and allowed 84 stolen bases. For Coach Rouse, Pitching will be the main point of emphasis.
“Tim Brokop and Eric Papierski are our two top of the rotation guys. In the back end of the bullpen, we have a grad transfer named Jonah Nosek; We also have a guy named Will Hines, who we like a lot, and Joe Strem. Those guys are our veterans and will carry the load. They will have to set the tone for some of our young pitchers to step up and throw some meaningful innings. We’re going to need some of our young pitchers to step up and play more than they normally would because of the coaching change.”
– Coach Addison Rouse
The Cougars have not captured a Division Title since 2016, so how do they do it? “Simple,” said Coach Rouse.
“Win with character, win with better people, play our style, our way all the time no matter what. That style is fast, that style is gritty, that style is a hard nose and competitive. We don’t care if it’s 75 degrees or 25 degrees you’re going to get us!”
Speaking of 25 degrees, that looks like more than a possibility of playing conditions considering Fall/Winter is when the Baseball games will occur. When asked about an update on the 2020 schedule, Coach Rouse said, “It will be released within the month. We have been approved to play a full schedule.” Get ready for Baseball in the fall!