BABSON PARK, Fla. (January 25, 2018) – The 2018 baseball season is just around the corner, and the No. 25 Webber International University Warriors are looking to carry over the success from their breakout 2017 season to yet another exciting year on the diamond. Webber will kick off its season against Crooked Lake rival Warner University with single games on Friday, January 26, and Saturday, January 27.

The game on Friday, January 26, will be played on Webber's campus at the Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center Field in Babson Park, Florida, while the second game on Saturday, February 27, will be played on Warner's campus in Lake Wales, Florida.

After coming off the most wins in school history in 2017, Webber looks to be even better in 2018. The Warriors were ranked 25th in the NAIA Baseball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll, and were one of four teams in The Sun Conference to earn a national ranking.

Additionally, the Warriors were ranked No. 21 by Perfect Game USA in their 2018 NAIA Baseball Preview Rankings. For more information on Perfect Game's preseason NAIA poll, check out the official release HERE.

The Warriors welcome a solid mix of returners and touted transfers which will make them deeper on the mound and more aggressive on offense. Upgrades on defense also have Head Coach Brad Niethammer optimistic that his team will be able to surpass last year's 39 win mark which set a new standard for WIU baseball.

Some of the top returners coming back and looking to make a big impact this upcoming season are: center fielder Manny Rodriguez, third baseman Marcus Begg, catchers Mark Martinez and Napo Ballestero, shortstop Cristian Rivera, right-handed pitchers Brady Mintell and Juan Terron, and left-handed pitcher/outfielder Jesse Coleman.

In 2017, Begg was named First-Team All-Sun Conference while Rivera and Terron were both named to the second-team. Additionally, Begg and Terron joined Mintell, Zak Spivy and Rodriquez on the NAIA/Collegiate Baseball Newspaper NAIA "Players to Watch" list.

Top newcomers this year include: outfielders Tyree Austin (Pasco–Hernando State College) and Maciah Thomas (Frederick Community College), infielder Chris Medina (Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University), right-handed pitchers Donovan Bertoncini (Fresno City College), Tanner White (Napa Valley College) and Braden Peterson (Stetson University), and left-handed pitcher Doug Pearl (Frederick Community College).

One of the key player losses for Webber this season is 2017 ABCA/Rawlings-NAIA Baseball Gold Glove winner Matt Saliba, who is transitioning into a role as a Student Assistant Coach for the varsity team and Head JV Coach with the Warriors this year.

Coach Niethammer, who is entering his 25th season at the helm of the Warriors, said, "We have a good mix of returners and transfers, and we will be looking to improve on our 39-17 record and third-place finish in the TSC from 2017. We will be deeper on the mound and we have picked up more pop and speed to add to the offense. Our defense will be solid again and should improve on the .962 team fielding percentage from a year ago."

Top Returners

1. CF-Manny Rodriguez - .350, 62 runs, 69 hits, .465 OB%, 24 SB's
2. 3B-Marcus Begg - .336, 77 hits, 11 2B's, 10 HR's, 51 RBI's
3. C-Mark Martinez - .367, 408 OB%
4. C-Napo Ballestero - .308, 431 OB%
5. SS-Cristian Rivera - 14 2B's, 41 RBI's, No. 2 in NAIA in 2017 in assists per game
6. RHP-Brady Mintell - 5-4, 84.2 Innings, 14 games started,
7. RHP-Juan Terron - 9-2, 85.1 Innings, 74 K's, 14 games started
8. LHP/OF-Jesse Coleman - 5-1, 2 saves, 38 K's in 30 Innings / .311, 11 2B's, 3 HR's

Key Losses

1. RHP-Anthony Hunter - 6-4, 13 games started, 86 Innings, 56 K's
2. 1B-Sjaghbar Martis - .341, 56 runs, 74 hits, 17 2B's, 7 HR's, 56 RBI's
3. LF-Matt Piatt - .355, 51 runs, 71 hits, 17 2B's, 50 RBI's
4. 2B-Matt Saliba - 44 Runs, .397 OB%, NAIA Gold Glove Second Baseman

Top Newcomers

1. OF-Tyree Austin - .339, 56 runs, 57 hits, 4 3B's, 40 SB's
2. RHP-Donovan Bertoncini - 38 Innings, 34 K's
3. LHP-Doug Pearl - 157 Innings, 48 K's, 11 games started
4. RHP-Tanner White - 76 Innings, 13 games started, 2 complete games, 11 BB's
5. OF-Maciah Thomas - .416, 187 AB's, 55 runs, 61 hits, 18 SB's
6. Inf.-Chris Medina - .283, 31 runs, 51 hits, 13 2B's 5 3B's, 18 RBI's, 23 BB's
7. RHP-Braden Peterson - 1 Inning, 2 appearances