POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Under the direction of fifth-year head coach Matthew Righter, the Vassar baseball team looks to build off the early success of last season when they begin the 2021 season against Bard in a doubleheader this Saturday at Honey Field. Game one of the doubleheader starts at 1 p.m.

Despite the shortened season a year ago, the Brewers had one of their best starts, finishing at 5-3 with a four-game winning streak. Vassar lost nine seniors to graduation but added plenty of youth with a squad of 18 underclassmen with seven newcomers. There is still no doubt about the experience, and the team features 11 upperclassmen comprised of nine seniors and two juniors. 

Vassar saw some sparks last year, with sophomore Nick Greenhawt (Heber City, UT) leading the Brewers with 18 at-bats while tacking on five hits, two runs, and two RBI. In limited action, sophomore Bryce Grathwohl (Cutchogue, NY) hit .600 in five at-bats with three hits, one run, and one RBI. Sophomore Adam Talwalkar (Lexington, KY) returns as well. Talwalkar had a notable debut last season, hitting his first-career home run at his first at-bat against Scranton on Feb. 23.

Senior Brent Shimoda (Aiea, HI) also found success, hitting .333 in 12 at-bats. He led the team with five runs and two doubles and was second-most with three RBI.  

On the pitching side, junior Dawson Dullnig (San Antonio, TX) is the top returner with 8.0 innings pitched and a 1.13 ERA. Dullnig went 1-0 with one complete game, five strikeouts, and a .154 opposing batting average. Senior Logan Willans (Ambler, PA) was the top reliever, pitching 6.0 innings. He recorded a 1.50 ERA with opposing batters only hitting .190.

After Saturday's doubleheader, the Brewers face Union the following weekend on Sat. Apr. 3 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Vassar then has its home opener doubleheader against Skidmore on Sat. Apr. 10 at 1 p.m. at Prentiss Field.