On Feb. 4, the University of Central Missouri’s baseball team was ranked number four by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Angelo State placed first with 468 points, second place was Tampa with 452 points and the Mules finished third with 420 points. Last season, the Mules were 18-3 before the rest of the season was canceled because of the pandemic. 

  “If you look back at what we were doing last year as a team, we were really starting to get hot right as things were being shut down,” redshirt senior catcher Scott Wolverton said. “That was tough to handle right away because there were a lot of things up in the air and a lot of not knowing what was going to happen.”

The team hopes to succeed in the upcoming season. 

  “We have practiced every day to prepare ourselves for the games since school started,” head coach Kyle Crookes said. “I hope to adapt, grow and get better to the best of our ability.”   

  The baseball team has been able to practice every day and the routine is different because they’re back outside. Besides the three people at home base, the teams have been spaced out. The team has also been in the weight room to get stronger. 

  On Jan. 29., the team traveled to Houston, Texas for an invitational meet. They went 3-1 in the Minute Maid Park. 

  “I would like to extend thanks to everyone who was able to facilitate for us to be able to go to Houston,” Crookes said. “Our administration, from Jerry Hughes to Dr. Best, and everybody in between. I appreciate the opportunity to still have that experience with the team and continue to move on without a season.” 

  The Jennies softball team was picked fourth in the MIAA preseason polls. Last year, the Jennies were able to play 17 games before the NCAA canceled the season. They were 11-6 overall and 3-1 in MIAA competition. 

  “Our team has dealt with a lot of heartbreak from last season due to the season being cut short, but I think the team has done a good job with the adversity and all of the different set backs,” head coach Susan Anderson said. 

  Senior utility player Bailey Fowler said she is looking forward to being back on the field and playing with the team.

 “I think that we have a strong team, and we have a lot of versatility on our team,” Fowler said. 

  Fowler knows to not take anything for granted because any game can be the last, and the team will take every advantage on the games. 

  “A lot of girls can play at different positions, and I think that we have a strong bond with our teams,” Fowler said. “I am anxious to see how we can take that onto the field,”  

  With every game that comes up, the team plans to be prepared to compete. 

  “Everybody has a mindset of living in the moment for the moment and being intentional with giving everything they have during the practices or upcoming games,” Anderson said.