The No. 19-ranked St. Thomas baseball team has gotten off to a hot start this season, going 9-3 overall and sweeping St. Mary’s on Sunday to begin conference play.

Six of the team’s games so far were played in Florida over spring break, where the Tommies collected wins over perennial Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contenders Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Wisconsin-Oshkosh, as well as No. 23-ranked Southern Maine and Keuka. The Tommies fell to No. 3-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater and St. Norbert.

To conclude the trip to Florida, the Tommies got to play against the Minnesota Twins developmental team, something they do each season. Tommie captain Brady Johnson feels that playing against professionals is always a special experience.

“It’s really cool to see what it’s like to be a big league or minor league player,” Johnson said. “It’s kind of crazy because a lot of the guys we are playing against are 16 or 17 years old and way better than anyone we will face all year. I think I’m 0-4 at the plate in my career against those guys, but it’s really cool.”

Coach Chris Olean is happy with where his team is going into the MIAC season but also hopes to see improvement.

“Before the Florida trip, we played in some very tough conditions, and then down in Florida we played a gauntlet of teams who are all very good, potential regional and College World Series teams,” Olean said. “We can definitely can play better, but it was great to see how the guys came out ready for conference play against St. Mary’s.”

The Tommies’ roster is a mix of experience and youth.

Junior Anthony Winters, senior Cory Quinlan and sophomore Zach Gottfredson are expected to be three key starters this season. Winters will be the starting catcher for St. Thomas this season, and Olean regards him as one of the best defensive catchers in the country. Quinlan is expected to be the regular first baseman, serving as the cleanup hitter in the lineup and driving in runs, and Gottfredson has started the majority of games at second base following a strong season in 2015.

Johnson has started every game for the Tommies at shortstop, and Olean described him as a consistent player who always has quality at-bats.

Freshmen Sam Cobbs and Chad Clute are expected to share playing time at third base.

The Tommies have played a variety of players in the outfield. Sophomore Jake Smith has gotten rave reviews from Olean and from teammates and is expected to be a strong force in the lineup. Senior Waylon Bemboom should see time in the outfield, as well as sophomore Jimmy Dolan and senior Dan Ziemann.

Ben Waltz will serve as the regular designated hitter.

“If we can get the bats going, our lineup is going to be pretty good,” Olean said.

Senior lefty Eric Veglahn is expected to anchor the St. Thomas pitching staff.

“Eric is a true number-one starter who can match up and beat anyone in the country,” Olean said.

After Veglahn, senior Dominic Reed, junior Tyler Feyereisen, junior Caleb Fernholz, sophomore Drew Molin, sophomore Justin Jeronimus and junior Mitch Larson could contribute in the starting rotation. Sophomore Alex Ogren is expected to serve as the closer for the Tommies, and Senior Matt Behounek and junior Ian Schwickert will join him in the bullpen.

“Our pitching staff is the strength of our team,” Olean said. “I think to be 9-3 and not really hitting yet is a sign of good things to come.”

Veglahn feels that the Tommies’ goals should always be set high.

“For the last 20 years or so, it seems like the Tommies win the MIAC every year and then go on and compete for a national title,” Veglahn said. “I don’t think this year is any different because we have the guys and the talent to do it.”

Ziemann emphasized that the team needs to take things one step at a time.

“Our goal is to win the MIAC title every year, and that got messed up by Bethel last year, so we have to focus on winning each game,” Ziemann said.

Bethel is the preseason favorite to win the conference championship, but Olean feels that anyone could take the title.

“Our conference is wide open, so we need to take the advantage,” Olean said.

Taylor Smith can be reached at smit9660@stthomas.edu.