Islanders baseball approach tough schedule with plenty of new faces
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders baseball team is set to begin its 15th season under coach Scott Malone, who has posted an overall record of 347-392-2. The Islanders are coming off a 25-29 overall record, but a very solid 20-14 in Southland Conference play, their best conference record since going 17-10 in 2013.
There will be hurdles to overcome this season with departures of Mike Williams, Luke Marbach, Itchy Burts and John Gaddis. Williams led the Islanders in hitting last year as a senior, hitting .324 with six home runs and 37 RBI. Marbach, also a senior in 2021, led the team in home runs with seven and stole 11 bases. Also graduating was Burns, who had 33 RBI and led the Islanders with 13 stolen bases. Perhaps the biggest loss of all is pitcher Gaddis, who transferred to Ole Miss. Last season, he posted a 5-3 record with a 2.25 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched.
A strong core of players returns, led by junior Brendan Ryan, who was second on the team with a .305 batting average last season. The Islanders are strong behind the plate with Josh Caraway (batting average of .291, 14 doubles, six home runs, 27 RBI in 2021) and backup Justin Taylor who hit .333 in 60 at-bats. Infielder Leo Markatic was solid as a sophomore and should improve on his .257 average with 19 RBI last season.
Although the pitching staff had a poor ERA of 5.54, there as some promising returning arms. Junior Tyler Miller, a 6-foot-7 imposing presence, posted a 3.19 ERA in 17 games with 28 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched. Hayden Thomas, also a junior, led the team in strikeouts with 94 and innings pitched with 81 2/3, while posting a solid 3.31 ERA. Sophomore Jamie Ramirez led the Islanders with seven wins as a freshman, while JT Moeller was 3-0 in 15 games as a freshman.
A strong recruiting class brought in Cole Modgling, who played the last three seasons at Northeast Texas Community College. Modgling earned second team honors and hit .515 in high school. John Maldonado, an infielder, earned numerous high school honors for his defensive play and was among Lonestar Preps’ top shortstops. Catcher Chance Reisdorph adds to an already deep unit behind the plate. He was first team All-District as a senior. Adding to infield depth is Jacob Ruiz, a first team All-District player for Eagle Pass as a senior.
The Islanders added four freshman pitchers to the roster. Marco Gutierrez helped Episcopal High School in Manvel, Texas, to a state title. Kyle Dickey, a left-handed pitcher, received All-League honors for four years in high school and was All-District and All-State as a senior. Clay Westbrook, a right-hander, was Baseball Factory All-American as a junior and senior for Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas. Left-handed pitcher Zach Garcia out of New Braunfels High School was All-District and All-State last season as a senior.
The Islanders have plenty of competition standing in the way of their goals. Abilene Christian finished first in the conference last season. In addition, New Orleans, Houston, Sam Houston, Southeastern, Northwest State and McNeese all finished with a conference record above .500.
The 2022 schedule has eight games against Power Five Conference competition, including Texas, Iowa and Texas A&M. In addition, they have road games against TCU and three games against Nebraska. The season begins on Feb. 18 with three games against UT Arlington. The first game against Texas on Feb. 22 begins a 10-game home stand at Whataburger Field. Other nonconference competition includes games against Prairie View A&M, Tarleton State and Rice.
“The schedule is as challenging as any I have put together in 15 years as the Islanders head coach,” Coach Malone said. “Two home dates with the University of Texas, plus a third Whataburger night game with Texas A&M. These three single games are for our fans’ three outstanding opportunities to watch college baseball at the highest level and root for the blue and green.”
The SLC Tournament will take place from May 19 through May 28.
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