Bethel University Magazine Spring 2021

18 %(7+(/81,9(56,7< ('8̌0$*$=,1( %$6(%$// The Pilots return six of their starting defense and their top two VWDUWLQJ SLWFKHUV IURP D WHDP WKDW ZHQW D VHDVRQ DJR 7KH Pilots will need strong performances from Justin Rasmussen 65 (5$ DQG .RU\ *RRGULFK 65 (5$ RQ WKH mound and continued production from the top of the lineup to make a push up the Crossroads League hierarchy. 0(1Š6 *2/) Jared Faber (FR) introduced himself with an NCCAA North Central All-Region nod in two tournaments in the fall, helping the Pilots WR WZR WRS WKUHH ƃQLVKHV DQG ORRNV WR OHDG WKH 3LORWV LQ WKUHH tournaments before the Crossroads League Championship this season, atop the Pilots’ lineup. :20(1Š6 *2/) 7KH 1R 3LORWV ƃQLVKHG UXQQHUV XS LQ WKH 1&&$$ 1DWLRQDO Championship with three All-Americans in the fall and had three GLƂHUHQW PHGDOLVWV LQ IRXU WRXUQDPHQWV %URRNH 7KRPDV 65 ZDV QDPHG 1&&$$ 1RUWK &HQWUDO 5HJLRQ 3OD\HU RI WKH <HDU DQG will look to guide a talented Pilot squad in three tournaments before the Crossroads League Championship and NAIA National Championship this spring. :20(1Š6 /$&5266( A promising season was cut short a year ago for the Pilots, who ORRN WR WDNH WKH QH[W VWHS LQ WKH HYHU GDQJHURXV :ROYHULQH +RRVLHU $WKOHWLF &RQIHUHQFH :+$& 7KH 3LORWV ZLOO IDFH IRXU WRS WHDPV on their schedule this spring and will look to the leadership of VHQLRUV 6DUDK .RQHFQ\ JRDOV DVVLVWV DQG %HFFD %URDGZLFN JRDOV DVVLVWV WR JXLGH WKH WHDP 62)7%$// The Pilots return all but one starter from a team that was ready to turn the corner before COVID-19 shut down the season. They will ORRN WR FRQWLQXH WKHLU PRPHQWXP LQWR 0DKUL <RXQJHU 65 OHG the team with a .300 average and will set the table atop the lineup, ZKLOH +DOH\ 5DJRQHVL 62 SURYLGHV D SRS LQ WKH PLGGOH RI WKH OLQHXS leading the team in extra-base hits a season ago. 0(1Š6 7(11,6 $Q LQƄX[ RI QHZFRPHUV JLYHV WKH 3LORWV UHDVRQ WR EH H[FLWHG HQWHULQJ WKH VSULQJ 'HVSLWH JRLQJ LQ WKH IDOO WKH 3LORWV DUH counting on freshmen in four of the nine spots in the lineup, as 1R VLQJOHV .XUWLV 'DYLV )5 KDV ORRNHG WKH SDUW DW WKH WRS RI WKH lineup for the Pilots. :20(1Š6 7(11,6 The Pilots are looking for a strong spring season to put them in contention for an NCCAA postseason opportunity. All-Crossroads /HDJXH SHUIRUPHU *UDFH +DOH\ 65 RQ WKH YHUJH RI HQWHULQJ WRS LQ SURJUDP KLVWRU\ LQ FDUHHU ZLQV OHDGV WKH 3LORWV LQ KHU ƃQDO JR URXQG 0(1Š6 287'225 75$&. ),(/' The reigning NCCAA National and Crossroads League Champions are poised to defend their titles as senors Thomas Jackson, Jonah Lester, Bailey Lang, junior Ryan Trick, and others, return in search of the No. 25 Pilot men’s fourth outdoor national championship banner and fourth outdoor league championship banner. :20(1Š6 287'225 75$&. ),(/' The reigning NCCAA National Champions return a strong contingent ready to retain their status at the national level, led by (PPD 0RWW 65 .D\OD .XQNHO -5 0LFKHOOH 0RUDLWLV -5 (PLO\ 5RWK 65 DQG RWKHUV $̃HU ZLQQLQJ WKH &URVVURDGV /HDJXH ,QGRRU Championship in the winter, the Pilots will be looking for the sweep IRU WKH ƃUVW WLPH LQ SURJUDP KLVWRU\ ZLWK WKHLU VHYHQWK RXWGRRU league championship. )RU PRUH VSRUWV XSGDWHV DQG WKH ODWHVW VWDWV YLVLW WKH RƅFLDO KRPH RI %HWKHO 3LORWV DW %8SLORWV FRP 6 7 8 9 )UHVKPDQ -DUHG )DEHU -XQLRU 4XLQQ 6ODWWPDQ )UHVKPDQ .XUWLV 'DYLV 6HQLRU *UDFH +DOH\ - Andrew Bowen '09 SPORT UPDATES Rick Vasquez