The wait is finally over for the Academy of Art baseball team, as the beginning of the 2020 campaign is just over a day away. Featuring 10 returners and 11 newcomers, the team is eager to get back to action and build upon positive momentum from the end of last season.
 
The 2019 ART U baseball season was a year of regional and conference honors, individual and team records, win streaks and hot starts, but also injuries and tough losses. With a 17-29 overall record and a 6-25 conference record, ART U's season was the third most wins in the 11 years as a program. For more about last year's accomplishments, click here!  
The Urban Knights will start the year hosting three consecutive series, beginning with Central Washington. Pacific West Conference action will begin at the end of February when ART U travels to Fresno Pacific, and will wrap up when the Urban Knights travel to San Diego to face off against Point Loma. This year's senior day will come against FPU on April 18. For this year's schedule, click here!
 
Seven seniors will lead the team into the 2020 season, highlighted by outfielder/shortstop Thomas Delgadillo, who was named to the 2020 Preseason All-PacWest Team. Delgadillo is coming off a season in which he batted .422 with 31 runs and 13 RBIs. For his efforts, he was named to the 2019 All-PacWest First Team, the 2019 D2CCA All-Region Second Team, the 2019 ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Second Team, and the 2019 NCBWA All-Region Second Team.
 
Along with Delgadillo, the senior class is comprised of middle infielder Justin Summers, outfielder Alex Golembiewski, and pitchers Fabian Barcena, Galen Manhard, Matthew Sanchez, ad Jayson Summers. Starting all 46 games last year was Justin Summers, hitting .325 and leading the Urban Knights in runs scored with 38 and walks with 28. On the mound, Manhard was second in the PacWest in saves with seven while recording a 2-0 record in 19 appearances.
 
The largest portion of the team is 10 juniors, featuring outfielders Dominic Chavarria and Noah Daubin, catchers Austin LaBarber and Morgan Edwards, infielders Cannon Secrist, Vincent Lontz and Dominic Ruggiero, and pitchers Jacob Hord, Ryan Skillman, and Collin Carriger. In 2019, Daubin hit .274 with 10 doubles and 21 RBIs, and will be looked upon to contribute once again. Also poised to be key members of the large junior class is Secrist and Lontz, as Secrist will look to be a dual threat both on the mound and at the hot corner of third base while Lontz anchors first base. 
 
Rounding out the 2020 squad is six underclassmen, made up of two sophomores and four freshmen. Ryan Gamboa and Nathan Macis will both be in their second years with the team, with Gamboa behind the dish and Macis at third base. Incoming freshman Codie Richardson and Teman Washington will take their place on the hill, with Joel Mitchell roaming the outfield and Carlos Pineda at second base. 
 
Opening day for the Urban Knights is this Friday, as ART U gets to hit the field against Central Washington at 11 a.m.