Hope Springs Eternal as Paladins take to the Diamond

A wise man by the name of Daniel Stallsmith once said, "You know it's baseball season when: It's seventy degrees and sunny. The loud pings of baseball bats keep SoHo residents from getting their afternoon naps. You have a strange desire to eat peanuts and sunflower seeds. And you find yourself wanting to come out to see and see the Paladins Baseball team dominate the SOCON this year." The Furman Paladins are coming off of a 24-33 campaign highlighted by a 4-2 victory over now Two-time defending NCAA champion South Carolina. With plenty of experience returning, including all 3 weekend starting pitchers, Coach Ron Smith and the Paladins seem set to make plenty of noise in the traditionally competitive SOCON. Seniors Bobby Lyne, who went 4-4 last season, and Daniel Stallsmith, who went 4-3 last season will be joined by fellow returning starter Tyler Wood, who will look to build on his 3-5 campaign as a freshman. Junior lefty Nate Smith will also seemingly compete for a weekend starting spot after his 3-5 season. Defensively, the Paladins will look to build on a record setting season in 2011, having set a school record with a fielding percentage of .969. Returning veteran position players include seniors Will Miller(CF) and Will Owens(LF), juniors Will Muzika(2B) and Paul Nitto(C), and sophomore Adam Abrams(3B). In the words of the veteran pitcher Stallsmith, "Well that time is just around the corner! The first game is February 17th. Get Fired Up for Furman Baseball!"