The Hilbert Hawks are fueled up and ready to play a full schedule of games this spring.

With their season being cancelled last spring due to Covid-19, the men’s baseball team are ready to get back in action. They played a total of 11 games and went 6-5 down in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at the Ripken Experience tournament. They were eager to see how they would do during conference play before all sports were cancelled due to the pandemic.

When asked about the current roster in comparison to last spring, head coach Drew Fittry sounded quite optimistic, even after the long break.

“I thought we saw a lot of growth last spring that was our best start to a season that we have ever had, the first winning season,” Fittry said. “We only lost 4 seniors and we have a pretty solid incoming class that came in. I see some guys making immediate impacts on the program just having another year under our belt with a lot of guys that understand our system.”

The shortened season adds fuel to this spring’s fire on the diamond. Fittry is hopeful last year’s start has given the team the ingredients to develop a winning attitude on the field, he said.

“Now that we have seen that success, we know what we’re capable of doing and we’re expecting even more this year.” Fittry said.

The Hawks still have seven out of nine players that were on the starting roster from last year as well as the same pitching staff.

“Having that many returning starters always helps,” Fittry said. “Whenever you can kind of have that chemistry in place to begin with makes this a lot easier as a coach and when you are out there playing.”

The Hawks have unfinished business to do this year in the AMCC.

“We’re looking at this year as a redemption season. We fully expect to turn some heads within the league” Fittry said.

Fittry prioritizes the health and safety of his athletes and assistant coaches in order to give the boys a full season that they have been waiting for. Each week 25% of the roster gets rapid tested to ensure the health and safety of the team and is mandated by the conference.

Now that Hilbert baseball has a brand-new field, the athletes and coaches are excited more than ever to play on the diamond. Will the fields be ready by opening day? Maybe, it depends on the snowfall and if the finishing touches are done. Their first game is March 9 vs D’Youville at D’Youville. Their first home game is March 27 vs. La Roche University. The first home game has possibilities of a ribbon cutting ceremony for the brand-new field.