Nearly eight months have passed since the Elon University baseball team was left out of the NCAA Tournament field. Time hasn't healed that wound.
"[The NCAA] didn't show any respect for the Southern Conference," junior outfielder Niko Fraser said.
The selection committee was not impressed with the Phoenix's 23-7 mark against SoCon teams in 2011. Despite winning the regular season championship, Elon lost both of their games in the conference tournament. This led to the NCAA's decision that the Phoenix season would not continue.
"We needed one win and we would have been in," Fraser said. "I don't think three days should dictate four months' worth of play."
With just over a month until the start of the season, the Phoenix hasn't forgotten that memory. It drives the players as they prepare for another season at Latham Park.
"We want to have a better showing than we did last year," sophomore second baseman Sebastian Gomez said.
The Phoenix spent a lot of time on the field in the fall facing live pitching and preparing for game action. Now they have adapted to spending more time in the weight room, trying to gain weight and get stronger.
In coherence with NCAA rules, Elon is not allowed to have full-team practices until Jan. 27. In the meantime, the team will work out in the weight room and in small groups on the field.
Once they regroup, there are questions that will need to be answered. They will need to decide how they will replace graduated starting shortstop Neal Pritchard and everyday center fielder Harry Austin. While these positions will obviously have to be filled, head coach Mike Kennedy said all spots on the diamond are open for competition.
"There's a battle for every position," Kennedy said. "I really believe that."
The Phoenix roster features 10 true freshmen making their debuts with the program in 2012. Joey Tomko, an Ohio native, will compete for the starting shortstop job. Corner infielder Tyler McVicar and infielder Casey Jones have also impressed Kennedy with their offensive prowess during fall practice.
"The whole class has been pretty good, to be honest with you," Kennedy said. "Now, they're freshmen. So, how will they respond when you go up against South Carolina and Georgia Southern and College of Charleston? That will be the question."
Also joining the program are four transfer students, including left- handed Spencer Medick. Medick — a transfer student from Virginia — posted a 3.21 ERA while walking only 27 batters in more than 81 innings at Polk State College in Florida a year ago. Kennedy refers to him as a "strike- throwing machine on the mound" who "will help us right away" and compete for a starting job.
As the season nears, expectation grows. Despite their absence from the NCAA Tournament field a year ago, the Phoenix has gone to a regional four out of the last six seasons. Fraser, who was on the 2010 squad that made an NCAA regional, wants to do more than just be present for the dance.
"I don't like that goal because I've been there before," Fraser said. "I want to win. I'm hesitant in even saying I want to go to a super regional. I want to go to Omaha (for the College World Series). Any college baseball player would. That might be bold saying it from an Elon standpoint, but those are my intentions. Those are my goals and I think they're tangible"