By Chris Parker, junior

The Friends University baseball team has seen its peaks and valleys, but this season has been especially rough. After the program graduated 18 seniors from last season’s team, it has had an off year and its record stands at 4-30.

“It’s been a rough year,” said head coach Derek Leppert. “I expected us to struggle. I didn’t expect 4-30.”

There have been some bright spots this season as Friends has started seven underclassmen regularly. Leppert called out Zach Glover and Garrett Berry as positives for the team.

Glover has one of the two wins on the mound in the form of a complete game shutout. Berry has held down first base well as a freshman.

Nick Wilczynski has led the team in his senior season on the mound with two of the four wins for the team.

With all the youth Friends has this season along with incoming recruits, next season should be better.

“The future looks bright,” Leppert said. “We’ve just got to get to the future a little quicker.”

Friends has signed 13 players for next season including seven freshmen and six junior college transfers.

“You have to break up the classes,” Leppert said of his incoming class that is split between freshmen and transfers.

Eight games are left, and senior day is at 1 p.m. Saturday at West Side Athletic Field against the University of St. Mary.

The goal for the baseball team now is a simple one.

“We’re trying to rally to let’s get 10 wins and finish strong,” Leppert said.