Another season of America’s pastime is around the corner. Opening day for Allegheny baseball is scheduled for Feb. 24 in Beckley, West Virginia, when the Gators head south for a set of games against the John Carroll Blue Streaks at Linda K. Epling Stadium.
Last year was the first time Allegheny’s athletic teams competed in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference since 1984. Baseball finished fifth, narrowly missing the playoffs with a 13-7 conference record.
The Gators are projected to finish two spots higher this campaign, according to the PAC website, but they have bigger goals in mind.
“We want to be a team on the map that people recognize,” said Jonathan Sharp, ’24. “Step one is winning a PAC Championship. During my time here a championship hasn’t been won, so that’s going to be the first step. Moving on, getting our name to a regional level. But, really it’s just going to be game-by-game. Always be 1-0 and not look too far ahead and not look too far in the past, but just be in the present.”
A veteran on the diamond, Sharp is nicknamed “The Warden” for his leadership. He has to be vocal behind the dish, and it translates to him being an outstanding teammate.
He has earned his spot as the opening day catcher.
“He is special,” said head coach Brandon Crum. “If anyone’s child could grow up to be like somebody and they be like Sharp, they did right.”
Allegheny will fly down to Maryville College following their affair in the Mountain State, beginning their spring break trip with another three-game series. The sequel continues over the next five games in North Carolina, with two contests against Guilford College before taking on Pfeiffer University.
The players will reside in cabins located within the Smoky Mountains, an experience quite different from the team’s trip last year to Arizona.
“I think we have a cool opportunity where every couple of years we can show these guys different parts of the country,” Crum said. “If they haven’t been in certain locations, it gives them a different perspective. I think that’s a really cool aspect of the student-athlete experience.”
Crum, named the 24th head baseball coach in Allegheny program history in August 2017, has led the Gators to a 103-83 record. His only losing season in his six prior years at the helm came during his first.
He instills a hard-working attitude into his philosophy, according to the team. They believe the Gators are in good hands, with Crum’s family-first mentality and ability to connect with his players on a personal level, even beyond their years in the program.
Upon the Blue and Gold’s return home, they will take the diamond at Robert Garbark Field against the University of Rochester on March 16. One week later, conference play begins with Franciscan University rolling into town.
This will be the second year Allegheny steps foot on to the newly renovated turf infield. Since the replacement of prior dirt, the players have been more intentional with their reps, according to Crum.
Infielders now have the luxury of taking ground balls in a game-like situation during cold weather. Each practice has also been spaced out to better accommodate the athletes.
“It alleviates a ton of pressure to constantly get things in on a certain time constraint,” Crum said. “(Players) balance their days tremendously better, and they have more time for academic stuff in the evening.”
There is still plenty of opportunity for chemistry to be built, despite the scattered schedule. Sharp said there is a strong work ethic within the Gators culture. The team makes time for extra work together outside of the designated practice hours.
Part of the Gators’ dedication has been built through toughness — an area of focus that Crum focused on during the offseason. Part of the program included a segment titled the “Gator grit challenge”.
A series of events held each week to induce inner-team competition, strength and condition tests were performed with a point system that rewarded players for their tenacity. The top ten guys for each event received recognition.
In the end, Dylan Fanelli, ’26, was crowned champion.
“It meant the world to me,” Fanelli said. “People were able to see the time I put in. My job was to be able to make sure I was ready for when my name was called, and I felt like that was a test to what I did behind closed doors.”
During the offseason, Fanelli was recognized by D3baseball.com as part of the online publication’s 2023 summer honor roll for his impressive arm showcased with the San Francisco Seals, a club team in the Bay Area Collegiate League.
The right-hander worked 43 innings on the bump, registering a 2.93 ERA and 1.06 WHIP against some of the West Coast’s best.
Fanelli, Sharp and other Allegheny players also gel in another big way — playing for a purpose greater than themselves. Faith has a monumental impact on the Gators.
Over 30% of the roster attends Bible study sessions together, and some are regulars in Allegheny’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes club. They hold a prayer before every game begins, and it bonds the team in more ways than the sport they love.
“It’s definitely one of the most important aspects of the team,” said Nick Banez, ’26. “Having a faith-backed team is huge for connection and synergy throughout everything we do. It helps with connecting with each other. We can turn to each other whenever we need to, and it just makes the team stronger as a whole.”
Having one of the smoothest gloves at any level of collegiate baseball, Banez represents the ideal utility infielder. Crum said he brings a surprisingly loud pop with his bat and has home run hitting ability.
He attributes his success to the training program he went through over the summer at Optimal Power Performance. It sets Banez up to train every rep with intensity, because he believes a player should train how one plays the game — at 110%.
Allegheny exhibits loads of talent throughout their roster. Everyone on the team is thrilled to work towards the chance for their first conference crown since 1999.
