By CHAT News Today

Mavericks coach excited for upcoming season

May 29, 2018 | 4:22 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB —Andrew Murphy is ready for the baseball season to begin.

The new head coach of the Medicine Hat Mavericks has been watching his team arrive in the Gas City since the weekend, and says there is a lot of excitement among both the new and returning players for the season to start on Thursday.

“I think the guys are really excited, and I think the returners know what happened last year, so they have a chip on their shoulder, so I think they’re ready to go,” he said earlier this week.

After spending last season as an assistant coach under Michael Thompson, Murphy makes the jump to the head coach position for the first time in his baseball career. 

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As an assistant, the Henderson State product helped the Mavs to a 27-21 record and third place finish in the WMBL’s Western Division. Medicine Hat survived a wild five-game series against Lethbridge in the opening round of the playoffs before falling to the Edmonton Prospects in the Division Final.

“It’s fun, it’s kind of different getting to have a lot of say in what happens, not just putting questions in here or there, but having a lot to say in what goes on with the team,” he said. “I’m excited.”

Murphy says he believes the team will be similar on offence this season, but says the biggest change will be in the team’s pitching.

“We have guys who can run, we’ve got guys who can hit for power, but I think the main difference will be on the mound,” he said. “(There’s) a lot more older guys, and guys who know what they’re doing on the mound, and really talented.”

Kyle Swannack is back for his second consecutive season as assistant coach, and will also have a big say on the mound. He agrees with Murphy’s assessment of the potential strength of the bullpen this season.

“I just had a talk with them, and they all look like they’re hungry,” he said. “They want to go pitch, they want to throw strikes.”

The Mavericks are hosting a Fan Fest tonight from 5- 7 p.m. at Athletic Park. The public is welcome to attend.

The home opener against Brooks takes place at 7:05 p.m.