The IVCC baseball team started their season in Myrtle Beach, compiling a 3-3 record during the spring break to start their season.

In addition to the new incoming freshmen, the Eagles’ baseball team welcomed new head coach Jason Goode this season.

Brandon Urbance, sophomore pitcher for the Eagles, said, “Goode’s newly integrated approach to the game has been effective and aggressive. He believes in more work and taking more risks on the field and doesn’t like to play it safe.”

This system will aid the team’s new rock solid defense.

The roster for team this year’s totals 25, being split nearly in half between sophomores and freshmen.

The team is diverse with its new talent and returning experience from the previous year.

Most of the players on the roster are from neighboring communities of IVCC, with the exception of two; Sergio Almeraz, a sophomore pitcher, and Rodrigo Almeraz, a sophomore catcher.

The duo comes from Palo Verde High School in Arizona where they played together and have continued this great relationship on the field at IVCC.

According to Urbance, “The roster is very suitable and we can put pressure on other teams and not sit back and hope it all works out. Defensively we cannot be matched by any team.

“I expect us to win 30 games this year with the roster we have.”

On defense, Urbance praised the play of sophomore catcher, infielder, and pitcher John Hiester from La Salle-Peru.

When asked on how he feels about the team, coach, and outcome for the season Hiester said, “This team has become a close family between all the baseball in the fall and pushing each other to get better through tough workouts at the House of Speed.

“Coach Goode is a guy who knows the game of baseball and will push us to be the best we can this spring with having as much fun as possible. The IVCC Eagles will be a team to keep an eye on this year!”

The baseball team’s next home games are slated for Monday, March 24 vs. Joliet at 3 p.m. and Saturday, March 29 vs. Sauk Valley at noon.