No. 17 Trinity University Baseball is gearing up to take on the 2025 season.
 
The Tigers are coming off of an impressive 2024 season that saw them with a 32-15 record and hosting an NCAA Regional. The Tiger pitching staff raked in awards, earning D3Baseball.com's Pitcher of the Year, an All-American for both D3Baseball and the ABCA, and landing Three All-Region players. Will Hellings (Summit, N.J. / Summit) makes a return this season after a successful junior season where he posted an ERA of 2.95 and struck out 49 batters over 36.2 innings pitched.
 
Nicholas Lazzara (Carrollton, Texas / Jesuit College Prep) was the main generator of offense for the Tigers last season. He slashed for a .352 batting average and recorded 38 RBI off of 51 hits, all of which led the Tigers in each respective category. Kaleb Woodward (San Pedro, Calif. / Palos Verdes Peninsula) was impressive from the plate in his first year with the Tigers. The then first year hit for a .311 batting average while also snagging 12 stolen bases. Woodward was also handy with the leather and didn't commit a single error in 40 games played.
 
Head Coach Tim Scannell enters his 27th season with the Tigers. Under his oversight alongside Pitching Coach Dave Smith, the Tigers have made 8 out of the last 10 NCAA Tournaments since 2014. This year's non-conference schedule includes two home and away series against in region opponents, two midweek games against two out of region opponents, and a four game series against an out of region top 25 opponent.
 
Starting Strong In The Polls
 
Trinity checks in at #17 in the D3baseball/NCBWA preseason poll. College World Series runner up Wisconsin-Whitewater took the top spot in the preseason poll, followed by Salve Regina, Endicott, and College World Series champion Misericordia. In regards to the SCAC, Texas Lutheran received a single vote. 
 
The Ambush also claimed the top spot in the SCAC preseason coaches poll, receiving seven first place votes. They are followed by Concordia, who received three first place votes, and Centenary.
 
Preview - Pouncing Into Conference Action
 
The Tigers open their season and conference play at home this year against Austin College with an opening game on Friday, February 14th at 7 PM, and a doubleheader on Saturday, February 15th at 1 PM and 3 PM.
 
On the Austin College 'Roos: Austin College struggled last season, finishing the 2024 season with an 11-27 (3-17 SCAC) record and ending last in conference play. The 'Roos have a ton of returning players looking to improve upon their 2024 season. This includes freshman phenom RayShawn Riley, who put together a .345 batting average and 29 RBI in his first year with the 'Roos. Expect Trystan Mallory on the bump for Austin; He returns for his senior season after his solid junior season where he had a 3.73 ERA over 50.2 innings pitched. Austin College is coming off being swept at home by Mary Hardin-Baylor in a three game series and holds a record of 0-3 to start the year. Trinity swept the 'Roos in Sherman last year and has a 65-11 record vs Austin College all time.
 
Coming Up Next
 
Trinity will stay at home to play a midweek game against Mary Hardin-Baylor on February 19th before heading to Seguin, Texas to take on Texas Lutheran in a three game conference series from February 21st-23rd.