Coach Bobby Moranda giving his pre practice prep talk before warm ups, Jan. 29 2016. Photo by David Johnson.
The sounds of grass being trimmed, bats hitting balls, and the popping sound of balls going into gloves can be heard near Childress field at Hennon Stadium, as the 2016 addition of Western Carolina men’s baseball team took the field for practice, Jan. 29, 2016.
The Catamounts kick start their season February 19 at the Buffalo Wild Wings Battle at the Beach against the host team UNC Wilmington Seahawks on opening day with St. Johns and Richmond the following two days.
Head coach Bobby Moranda has taken a different approach in the preseason workouts in collaboration with new assistant coaches, Todd Guilliams, Nate Cocolin, and Brock Doud to get the catamount baseball team off to a good start in the opening season.
“We’re working on the fundamentals of the game to master it, touch on our strengths and weaknesses in the fall, and work on competing and playing the game of baseball in the early spring as we approach our first game,” said head coach Moranda.
First year assistant coach Todd Guilliams comes to the Catamounts from Valdosta with a recorded 250 games won, three NCAA regional appearances, and a pair of Gulf Coast Conference championships to go with his impressive resume on the NCAA division two level. He has been working with the hitters on the team, and specializes in hitting mechanics and technique to better the team offensively.
Coach Guilliams coaching Senior
Danny Bermudez in the batting cage. Photo by David Johnson.
“The program has been great, Western has always had a special place in my heart. I’m pretty familiar with the catamount tradition playing alongside Coach Moranda in college and being familiar with Coach Leggett, Todd Raleigh, Keith O’Claire, and Bobby were a part of this program and that’s why I wanted to be here,” said coach Guilliams.
Assistant coach Nate Cocolin came to WCU in the Fall bringing his needed experience to Cullowhee previously serving as a eight year head coach at Gannon University. He’s looking to bring a consistency, new culture, and toughness to the team in his coaching.
“Everything has been great since I got here. Obviously we’re excited to start playing games that will be the real test, but the transition has been good. I enjoy the area, the people, and the university. I hope to help improve the fundamental levels here and help win some ball games,” said Coach Cocolin
Coach Brock Doud will be featured with the Catamounts as a volunteer assistant coach coming from Kalamazoo, Michigan as an assistant coach for Kalamazoo Community College.
Senior Catcher Danny Bermudez will be coming into the season as one of the catamount’s leading hitters batting an average of .667 (16 – 24) with 8 walks from the Fall World Squad competition. Bermudez is also followed with Infielder Brett Pope (.467), Outfielders Garrett Brown (.400), and Matthew Koehler (.438) batting averages.
Baseball pitchers warming up in split practice at the football field, Jan. 29 2016. Photo by David Johnson.
“I feel good about this season. We’ve worked hard to get to where we are, but we’re not there yet. I think we’re going to be really good this year. In the fall, we’ve worked on getting tougher, which is something we weren’t as a team last year in close games. I love our new assistants, they’ve really strengthened my skills,” said Bermudez.
Fans are looking for better results this year after an upsetting 21-30 (11-13) conference record last season. However, with the emergence of talent and new coaches, the catamounts could be back on it’s way to another successful season.
