WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The West Liberty University baseball team is set to get its 2023 campaign underway this weekend traveling to Union College, in Tennessee, for a four-game set. 

Head Coach Eric Burkle enters his 11th season at the helm of the program and 16th season in the Hilltopper dugout. Fresh off his 200th career coaching victory, Burkle is looking for a bounce back year for the Black and Gold after a 12-38 season a year ago that saw WLU miss the conference tournament for just the third time in his tenure.

"Cabin fever has kind of set in from practicing indoors, so we are excited to get out and compete this weekend," said Coach Burkle. "I am feeling pretty good about this season, it's a different feeling but I'm cautiously optimistic."

The Hilltoppers return all three of their all-conference selections from a year ago, while adding some key transfers to set up a strong lineup expected to contend this season.

Second team All-MEC selection Justin Pennybacker is back for his fifth year competing on the hilltop after posting career-best numbers over 11 starts, 64.2 innings pitched with a 3.34 ERA ranking second in the MEC and a tie for a conference low 24 earned runs allowed by a starter. Pennybacker held opponents to a .238 batting average and tossed one shutout defeating regionally-ranked Glenville State with a two-hitter earning MEC Pitcher of the Week in late March.

"This is the smallest pitching staff I've had in a while," said Coach Burkle. "However, we do have four starters, three back with starting experience and one transferring in from being a junior college starter. We also feel confident that we have middle relievers and a couple dual guys that we can bring into close games."

Senior Ian Brady enters his third season at WLU. After a second team All-MEC selection in 2021 with a 6-4 record and 2.65 ERA, Brady tossed 55.2 innings last season with 45 strikeouts posting a team-high four wins on the bump.

Junior right hander Drake Dobson is scheduled to move into a starting role after holding opponents to a .241 batting average last season across 22 innings in 16 games primarily as a closer picking up five saves.

The West Liberty offense is led by returning all-conference honorable mention selections Jacob Sherman and Ryan Talbert, both sophomores. Sherman posted the first .400-plus season by a Hilltopper full-time starter since 2010. As a true freshman, Sherman ranked No. 3 in the MEC with a .413 batting average. He also ranked No. 2 in the league with a .540 on-base average, reaching base in 31 of his 32 starts. The lefty table-setter had 38 hits in 92 at-bats to go along with 24 walks and 5 hit-by-pitches, finishing the season with a .467 slugging percentage and 1.007 OPS.

Talbert batted .307 with 39 hits in 127 at-bats, including 9 doubles, a triple and a home run for a .467 slugging percentage in 2022. He also worked 24 walks and had 4 hit-by-pitches to finish with a .421 on-base average and ranked No. 2 on the team with an .838 OPS.

Senior outfielder Ty Helmke is expected back in the lineup for the Black and Gold after starting 44 games with a .408 on base percentage and .285 batting average.

Behind the dish Brad Goodyear returns for his junior season after making 38 starts and appearing in 43 games last season hitting .264. Defensively, Goodyear threw out four baserunners and only surrendered two passed balls in 2022.

This year's edition of the Hilltoppers features 12 freshmen, nine sophomores, 14 juniors, and nine seniors.

"We have some veteran guys that have put the work in and have done the program to a T, it's fun to see that and hopefully that will pay off with some wins," said Coach Burkle.

West Liberty will be on the road for the first 18 games including for the start of conference play on March 18 and 19 at West Virginia State and Charleston. The Hilltoppers will be at The Pit for the first time on March 25 hosting Davis & Elkins. The Mountain East Conference Tournament is scheduled for May 11-15, as WLU looks to return to the trophy hunt.