This time last year the ‘Pack was 6-1, having just swept Tougaloo in a three-game series while outscoring them 68 to 3.

Wait, what?

Sixty-eight to three? This is baseball we’re talking about here, right? Teams aren’t supposed to score 20 runs in a game, let alone twice in three games. Sixty-eight to three looks more like a Madden tromping than the result of a collegiate series.

Needless to say, a repeat of last season’s start will be difficult to achieve. And at first glance, the team’s 4-3 record could appear to be worse than last year’s squad, which came out the gates running.

But not so. That 6-1 start last year resulted in a 20-32 record, as Loyola battled through the season with the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference’s highest ERA (7.45) and one of its youngest teams, featuring 19 freshmen in a team of 36.

“The difference is last year we started off hot, but we started off with a weaker schedule,” said mass communication senior Andy Rodriguez. “This year, we’re playing some pretty ridiculous teams.”

Ridiculous indeed. Auburn-Montgomery, the team who dealt Loyola its first two losses of the season, is No. 5 in the nation after finishing last season with 49 wins and making it four rounds deep into the NAIA World Series.

Things certainly look to improve this season. Those 19 freshmen now have a full season under their belt, and just as importantly, a full off-season.

“None of our pitchers last year had the fall, because of Katrina,” said Rodriguez, who starts at shortstop. “It’s huge. For pitchers, that’s a big no-no.”

It seems the off-season has treated the pitchers well. Seven games into the season the team’s ERA has dipped to 5.77 – which is inflated by a loss to Auburn Montgomery, which Rodriguez calls “one of the closest 15-0 games you’ll ever see.”

But despite their improvements in pitching, the Wolfpack’s strength is undoubtedly its hitting and defense. The team last year collectively hit .304 with 28 homers, finishing fourth and third in the conference. Despite the loss of departing seniors David Lauricella and Bryan McCaulley, who combined for 15 homers last year, the team looks to continue smashing the ball.

With 10 hits and a .588 average, right fielder Josh Borges, business junior, leads the GCAC in batting.

“We have more sluggers, more big swingers,” said mathematics sophomore Kevin Fontenot. “We’re going to hit the ball, we’ll get guys moving and we’ll get runs on the board.”

And with the presence of an experienced infield – each are upperclassmen – the defense will give the pitching some much needed help. “Our pitchers are more comfortable keeping the ball rolling in the zone,” said Rodriguez. “This year we’re definitely more in tune. Everyone knows each other, knows how to play with each other.”

So all signs point to the team improving. The pitching, defense and hitting should see marked improvement. But does the team think it’ll result in more wins?

“Definitely. You’re always looking to improve,” said outfielder-pitcher Fontenot. “And we will improve.”