Baseball 2/1/2024 10:20:00 AM

OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY 2024 BASEBALL PREVIEW

Richard Hodnett's first season as the baseball coach at Oakwood University was a nightmare.
Oakwood, fielding a team for the first time in more than a decade, failed to win a game, finishing 0-27 on the season.

Fast forward to 2024 and Hodnett believes the Ambassadors are light years ahead of where they were this time last season.

"We've made huge strides since last season," said Hodnett, who has 10 returners and 12 newcomers on the roster. "We'll be better because we have more guys that know the game.

"We should be better offensively and defensively and we've got a lot more arms than last year."

Oakwood opens the season today at Faulkner. The doubleheader begins at noon in Montgomery.

Outfielder/pitcher Jorge Hernandez and shortstop Jeremy Matos are Oakwood's top returning players.

Hernandez was a second-team All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference selection after leading the team with a .386 batting average, while Matos batted .293 and was solid defensively.

"Jorge was great at the plate and did a good job pitching for us," Hodnett said. "Jeremy was really good defensively and he'll be even better this year."

Dylan Grigorius returns at first base, along with Erick Perez at second and Akari David at third to round out the infield. Newcomer Dakota Cobb would see action at first base or third base, Hodnett said.

Newcomers Chris Agular and Ahmad Woods are expected to start in left field and right field, respectively, while sophomore Jordan Jennings returns in centerfield.

"Jordan has put on some muscle," Hodnett said. "He has really bulked up and has looked great in practice."

Catchers Mateo Hamm and Ashton Morgan are both new, but more than capable, Hodnett said. They will guide a pitching staff that includes newcomers Darwyn Coronado, Collin Mullins, Jaylen Fairris, Tedrus Hamilton, Rosario Argenis, Agular and Cobb along with returnees Framber Rodriguez, David and Hernandez.

"We can't go anywhere but up after last season," Hodnett said. "I am cautiously optimistic."

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Visit the official home of Oakwood University athletics at Oakwood University - Official Athletics Website.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Erick Perez: 2B/OF; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#6 Jorge Hernandez: P/OF; 6' 4"; Sophomore

#7 Jeremy Matos: SS; 5' 11"; Junior

#8 Akari David: 3B; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#20 Framber Rodriguez: P; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#21 Jordan Jennings: OF; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#23 Dylan Grigorius: 1B; 6' 1"; Senior

#5 Ahmad Woods: OF; 6' 1"; Freshman

#11 Dakota Cobb: 3B/1B/P; 6' 0"; Freshman

#13 Collin Mullins: P; 5' 11"; Freshman

#40 Jaylen Fairris: P/OF; 5' 11"; Freshman

#55 Ashton Morgan: C; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Erick Perez
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: 2B/OF

#6 Jorge Hernandez
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: P/OF

#7 Jeremy Matos
: 5' 11"; Junior
: SS

#8 Akari David
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: 3B

#20 Framber Rodriguez
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: P

#21 Jordan Jennings
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: OF

#23 Dylan Grigorius
: 6' 1"; Senior
: 1B

#5 Ahmad Woods
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: OF

#11 Dakota Cobb
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: 3B/1B/P

#13 Collin Mullins
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: P

#40 Jaylen Fairris
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: P/OF

#55 Ashton Morgan
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: C