Baylor Baseball Fall Notebook: Faith and Health at Center of Bears Camp

[Calderone, Max]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – Oct. 31, 2024

Baylor Baseball Fall Notebook: Faith and Health at Center of Bears Camp
Bears growing stronger as fall ball heads into final stages
For more information contact: Max Calderone, 254-265-1639, Max_Calderone at Baylor.edu<mailto:Max_Calderone at Baylor.edu>

WACO, Texas – When Hunter Simmons crashed into the outfield wall and suffered a season-ending ankle fracture in the first inning of a Friday-night game against Indiana on Feb. 23, most didn’t know if he’d ever be able to play baseball again.

Just eight months later, Simmons is back on the diamond with the Bears and thriving at the plate, recording a .746 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) through five weeks of fall scrimmages.

“Just trying to come back from that injury, there have been a lot of ups and downs,” Simmons said. “I think God has really blessed me and given me perspective on life. Not everything is about baseball. Just being able to walk again, to run again and be out here with my teammates – that’s probably the biggest thing.”

Simmons is one of several Baylor position players who have recovered from season-ending injuries that kept them off the field in 2024, including redshirt junior Gavin Brzozowski, redshirt sophomore Jack Little and fifth-year senior Will Pendergrass. Now, that experienced group is eager to return to competition and help the team achieve its goals.

“We’ve had a very productive fall,” said assistant coach Jim Blair. “First of all, and most importantly, we’ve kept everybody healthy. We’ve got a lot of new guys coming in, and a lot of returners [back] as well. Getting the guys healthy from last year has been a big plus. Team chemistry has been great. New guys are showing a lot of promise, and the returners have done exceptionally well getting their feet back underneath them.”

All four of the aforementioned Bears have worked at first base this fall, a new position for some and an old but familiar spot for others, like Simmons.

“I’ve really enjoyed it. I don’t have to worry about any walls out there coming to get me,” Simmons said with a smirk. “I’ve played first before, so it’s been more of a refresher, but it’s different because this is big boy baseball. These guys are hitting the ball hard.”

There’s been no shortage of hard-hit balls this fall, as 20 Bears have recorded a maximum exit velocity above 100 miles per hour, including eight above 105 mph. However, new pitching coach Sean Snedeker and his staff have limited damage on the mound with a newfound mentality and confidence.

“I just think that the environment we have this fall has been really cool,” said sixth-year senior right-handed pitcher Gabe Craig. “To be a part of what Sned’s done, he’s done a great job and really allowed each and every one of us to let our own personality shine and be ourselves. We’ve also put that together as a team and created a strong culture. [Sned]’s really helped me grow my confidence and feel comfortable on the mound.”

Like Simmons, Craig is also embracing another opportunity to put on the green and gold again, as he was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.

“It was such a cool experience. It was a God thing. I prayed a lot about it and had a lot of people working hard to make it happen,” Craig said. “I think it was a huge blessing from God to have the opportunity to come back. We have this huge faith component here, and I’m so happy to be a part of it one more time and do my best to contribute.”

And contribute he has, as Craig has been one of six Baylor pitchers to log double-digit strikeouts through five weeks of scrimmages, while also making a strong impact off the field as well.

Led by fifth-year senior right-handers Cole Stasio and Andrew Petrowski, the Bears helped organize on-field baptisms for seven players at Baylor Ballpark on Oct. 16. Petrowski, Simmons and five newcomers, Carson Bailey, Drew Britton, Brytton Clements, Jack Hickerson and Landon Karrh, publicly declared their faith and were baptized at home plate in what was an unforgettable day at Baylor Ballpark.

“I’m just trying to have more fun with the game,” Simmons said. “A lot of guys stress about success on the field, but one thing I’ve learned is that God has bigger plans outside of baseball. Everyone stops playing at some point, whether you make it to the big leagues or finish after this year.”

That sense of urgency has been felt throughout the BU clubhouse, as veteran members of the roster are ready to give it everything they’ve got in what could be their final season playing baseball. With that perspective in mind, the team plans on not holding anything back come Opening Day.

“Every year, you’re trying to set up your offense to be as dynamic as possible. From year-to-year, you really don’t know if you’re going to be able to run or not, or if you’re going to hit for power or not, but you’re always building toward whatever skill set presents itself,” Blair said. “If you can do both [run and hit for power], you become a problem for defenses from two different angles. The level of depth on our roster, both with power hitters and runners, has definitely improved. And we’ll want to be able to take advantage of that when we can.”

Baylor rounds out its fall slate of scrimmages over the next week and a half. All scrimmages are free and open to the public, with dates subject to change. First-pitch times will be announced on Baylor Baseball’s social media channels weekly.

To stay up to date on all things Baylor baseball, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorBaseball.

Baylor Baseball Remaining Fall Intrasquad Scrimmage Schedule
Week 6 – Thursday, Oct. 31; Saturday, Nov. 2
Week 7 – Wednesday, Nov. 6; Thursday, Nov. 7; Saturday, Nov. 9

All dates are subject to change
First-pitch times to be announced weekly on Baylor Baseball’s social media channels

-BaylorBears.com-


__________________________________

Max Calderone | Director of Athletics Communications (Baseball, Football)
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: 254-265-1639

[signature_2125174757]<http://baylorbears.com/>

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