Sixth place in the Ivy League certainly isn’t where Brown wanted to be at the end of last season, but the experience that younger contributors and a now-veteran starting rotation gained has set things up well entering the 2024 season.
The Bears’ lineup will be littered with experienced players even if it takes on a different positional look, while a handful of veteran pitchers returned to compete for a spot in the starting rotation. There are All-Ivy contributors on both sides of the ball in now-sophomore center fielder Mika Petersen (Stamford, Conn.) and junior right-handed pitcher Jack Seppings.
“We’re looking at pitching as a strength right out of the gate, and I think it’s good returning the guys that had success because we’ll be able to keep our rotation more consistent throughout the year and it will allow our young kids to build,” coach Grant Achilles said. “Having depth that extends to our position players as well, we’ll have more options and versatility this year. It wouldn’t surprise me if we have a number of variable lineups depending on matchups or who’s got the hot hand at a particular point.”
The first-team All-Ivy designated hitter in 2023, Petersen was consistent right from the get-go. He finished as the Ancient Eight’s fourth-leading hitter and tops among freshmen with a .353 average, reaching base in the final 27 games of the season and hitting safely in 27 of 34.
