The No. 22 ranked Point Park University is back in full swing for the 2015 season. After losing about 18 players over the past two seasons, baseball coach Loren Torres will be starting with almost all new players.

“This team has found its cohesive flow back in November,” said Crowell. “The bond that we have built as a team is remarkable. It is our goal to be brothers both on and off the field. When people come to watch us play, we want them to see a team that communicates well, a team that feeds off each other, a group that is connected, a dominant force.”

Back as starters are senior third baseman Jordan Crowell, senior first baseman Oscar Romero and junior outfielder Shane Conley.

The Pioneers started off their season with the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational Feb. 28 through March 6. With nine wins and one loss, the Pioneers took the tournament over.

The regular season opened with two games against Benedictine University in Florida. Junior right-hander Nolan Krivijanski took the mound for the Pioneers and gave up only four hits in his six innings, which helped hold the 4-0 lead by Point Park.

Shortstop sophomore Jake Horew took on the last few innings on the mound for the win. Center fielder transfer Demetrius Moorer started off for the Pioneers with a walk to first and a steal to second. Conley got an RBI, and Crowell followed with a two-run single.

Benedictine didn’t score until the team earned three singles in the seventh inning.

In game two, the Pioneers started off with an early lead once again at 3-0.

Horew, Mrkonja and Chaz Russo all had hits, along with Conley who got knocked in by Romero’s sacrifice fly.

Point Park won the first game against Benedictine at 4-2 and game two at 3-0.

The Pioneers got a little more footing with the next two games against Evangel on March 2. Point Park knocked in a 9-0 win in the first game and a 7-2 win in the second.

Nate Sphon came in on the mound for about three innings before the game was postponed due to rain.

After a day’s rest, the team came back, and Sphon finished where he started, striking out one and walking one as well.

Keenan Smith and Anthony Garofalo each came in to pitch a scoreless inning.

The Pioneers scored five runs in the third inning and four runs in the fourth, getting them to a 9-0 lead.

In game two, Crowell and Romero each had their own two hits for the lead. Horew also had two RBIs and a homerun in the sixth.

Evangel’s Jared Gage hit a homer in the sixth inning, which got them on the board with 4-2.

Games were split on March 4 against Cornerstone with a win in the first game, but a loss in game two.

Point Park started with 11 hits in game one. Jarrad Brown pitched a complete game for the Pioneers for the win, allowing only four hits and one run, and struck out five and had zero walks.

Moorer singled, stole second and third to start off the offense. Andy Chacon knocked out a tworun homerun. The Pioneers won 6-2.

The team could not hold up as much in the second game, falling 13-7 to Cornerstone.

Cornerstone led just after two innings at 9-2. Ben Jarboe took the mound for Point Park, gave up nine runs, walked three and struck out one.

The Pioneers had some errors that worked to Cornerstone’s advantage.

Zack Zimmerman came to the mound for an inning and retired all five batters he faced. Luis Romero came in for the final three innings, giving up four runs and walking one.

The Pioneers faced Benedictine again on March 5, sweeping them in both games.

Nolan Krivijanski gave up one run in his six innings on the mound. Horew finished the with the last two outs for his second win.

The Pioneers went on to beat both Trinity International with 14-0 and Cornerstone with 5-1.

Nate Sphon threw five shutout innings in the victory over Trinity International.

Roberto Rodriguez took the mound against Cornerstone and took the mound for six innings, giving up one run and seven hits.

“What we did this past week in Florida was exciting, but with our mindset, it wasn’t good enough,” Crowell said. “We like to stay humble and hungry through the thick and thin. Now that we went 9-1 we withstand the target on our back, and we know now Point Park will be circled on everyone’s schedule.”

Point Park will play again on March 11 against #19 Davenport in Michigan at 2 p.m.