The month of February brings with it another season of Otterbein baseball. The Cardinals open up their 2025 campaign against the Sewanee Tigers on Feb. 22.
Otterbein finished last season with a 26-15 overall record, which earned the team a spot in the OAC tournament. Following a loss to Marietta in the tournament, the Cardinals missed out on an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
The Cardinals are led by head coach George Powell, who starts his 26th year in charge of the baseball program.
The 2025 season comes along with high expectations put forth by veteran members of the team. This year's roster has 17 senior or graduate level players, so the Cardinals will have plenty of experience in the dugout this go-around.
“I think our numbers is a strength. The team kinda runs itself. Guys hold each other accountable and lean on each other,” said senior catcher Zac Taylor.
With the large roster, the Cardinals will have access to a large pitching staff, which they will rely on throughout the season, especially come tournament time.
“Pitching-wise, we’ve kept the same staff for the most part, guys who’ve been here for awhile. We also have some young guys who are talented for pitching and hitting-wise who will definitely help,” said graduate student pitcher Henry Conrad.
Otterbein will face a challenging slate in the OAC once again this season, with Baldwin Wallace and Marietta again being stiff competition that will almost certainly be a factor come May. Baldwin Wallace ranks 13th in the preseason NCAA Top 25 rankings.
“Every year we’re usually in the mix with [Baldwin Wallace] and Marietta. It’s always a really good competition. I think we’re ready to go. We have a different team this year, and I think we’re ready to compete,” Conrad said.
Otterbein returns 2024 All-Region first baseman Jamie Perebzak, who will lead the charge in an experienced infield. Since joining in 2021, Perebzak has slotted himself into the top ten in three different statistical categories, including hits, doubles and runs-batted-in.
Additionally, the Cardinals will play a large amount of their schedule at home. Eighteen games are scheduled to take place at home, a key difference from the 2024 season where the Cardinals were at home on just 10 occasions.
“We got a lot of guys who are pretty good. They can take us decently far," Taylor said, "We gotta stay together, all 60 of us. The conference championship is our goal."
Otterbein will take on Calvin University on Feb. 28 in the home opener at Fishbaugh Field.
