Coach Ryan Coe shared an optimistic outlook for the Owls in a pre-season interview as the team gets ready for its first games this Friday.
This year, Owls baseball transitions away from the Atlantic Sun Conference and moves to Conference USA.
Coach Ryan Coe said the team will be tested against top-performing teams like Dallas Baptist and Louisiana Tech. Being in CUSA will mean playing opponents the Owls have never yet faced, and while this conference is new territory for the team, Coe has full confidence that they have what it takes.
“It’s not so much a talent difference or a big jump up a league,” said Coe. “You just don’t know what to expect.”
As the Owls get ready to face the season, there are certain areas that take priority as the first games draw near. Coe said his main priority has been to get the team on the same page. In a new conference, the unexpected is likely to happen, therefore, it is important for each player to be up-to-speed and prepared.
“My job as a head coach is to fine-tune everything and make sure everybody is ready to play,” Coe said. “The big thing is, we don’t want the first time something happens to be in a game. So, we try to prepare them as much as we can so they aren’t surprised.”
The Owls have introduced many new players, who are expected to strengthen the team this year. Coe has also said that it is a luxury to have returning players who have already proven themselves and many talented freshmen, as well.
The team was uprooted from its usual Stillwell Stadium and moved to the Marietta campus for the 2025 season. Coe said that while there are little differences, he does not expect the new environment will make a significant impact on the team’s performance.
“There are little things here that you don’t have to worry about when you’re on campus,” Coe said. “But they’ve done a really good job handling it, and the school’s done a good job fixing up the field.”
However, Coe said he does foresee the size of the new field posing a challenge for the Owls. A smaller park poses will increase home runs, but Coe will not allow this to prevent the team’s pursuit of victory.
“It is way smaller, and the ball flies, but do not allow that to be an excuse,” said Coe. “It is what it is, and you have to overcome it.”
During the season, players work tirelessly to stay at the top of their game. Despite the countless hours of practice, Coe said that burnout is uncommon in college baseball. However, he referenced a time when the team hit a wall a few seasons ago, but came back better than before.
“You have to back off a little bit and get them off their feet as much as you can,” Coe said. “They came through the other side and played really well.”
Coe said that the team’s main goal is to win a CUSA championship. Last year’s loss against Stetson acted only as leverage for the team to work toward the top. Overall, coach Coe is ready to tackle the new season, and the rest of the team with him.
“It’s an experienced bunch with some really talented guys,” Coe said. “This is the kind of team that’s built to do well.”
The Owls open their season this Friday with a doubleheader against Rutgers.
