Bigger roster could benefit baseball squad

Virginia Peninsula Community College baseball coach Shane Harrison said the success of the 2025 season will come down to numbers, and he likes his numbers.

"We're looking at 35 or 36 guys, which is up nine or 10 guys from last year, which is huge for having backups and subs," Harrison said on the eve of his third season in charge. "Our strength comes in numbers."

He likes his starting nine, the next nine and the nine after that.

"They're all really good ballplayers," Harrison said.

One of the reasons the numbers are up is because of the work the players put in in the classroom. He hasn't lost any players to grades this year.

"They did really well in the classroom," Harrison said.

That effort comes into play on the field, also.

"They're a very hardworking team," said Harrison, adding the players are always looking for ways to get in more practice.

As the season-opener at Bryant & Stratton approaches (Saturday, Jan. 25, doubleheader starting at noon), Harrison's biggest concern is the health of his players. They are all healthy now. He hopes it stays that way.

"I don't want to lose anybody because everybody has a specific job that they are going to be doing," he said.

On the roster are 15 returning players, and players come from across the country: Las Vegas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, as well as Virginia. Harrison is looking at Caleb Gonzales (catcher), Marco Fernandez (3B), Jayden Alvarez (OF), Izzy Dozier (OF/1B), Kaden Hunley (P), and Logan Contreraz (P) to provide veteran leadership. Among his newcomers are Zack Easton, a pitcher who throws right-handed and left-handed, utility player Justin Bryson and Garrett Hudson (1B).

Harrison expects pitching to be a strength, but it won't be overpowering.

"We don't have a lot of (velocity) speed-wise. We've got a couple," he said. "But all the other guys, they're working hard on hitting their spots."

As far as the schedule, the Gators have a 40-game slate, with a mix of four-year and two-year schools as non-conference foes. As for Region 10, it's one of the best in the country, with Camp Community College and Caldwell Community College making the NJCAA World Series in recent years. Also in Region 10 are Surry Community College and Rockingham Community College.

"We have a very tough schedule," Harrison said.

Opening weekend consists of doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday at Bryant & Stratton, so those numbers Harrison talks about and likes could come in handy right away.

For more information on VPCC, visit www.vpcc.edu. For more information on VPCC athletics, visit www.vpccgators.com.