CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Austin Peay head baseball coach Travis Janssen met with the media via Zoom Friday to discuss the upcoming season.

The Governors have been picked to finish fourth in the OVC in 2021 by the head coaches and communication directors from around the league.

Austin Peay got off to a 7-10 (1-2 OVC) start before seeing their season cut short in 2020.

“I’m just really excited to get going,” Janssen said. “With the season getting cancelled last year, obviously there is a different level of excitement and guys are itching to get going. We have a really good group of guys who have been working hard and we can’t wait to get going next week.”

The Governors have a cornucopia of players coming back this year due to an extra year of eligibility being granted for those who did have their seasons wiped away a season ago.

According to Janssen, there is no downside when it comes to returning that type of familiarity.

“I don’t look at it as a con at all,” Janssen said. “We do have a lot of guys coming back. Just with the uncertainty of the year and possibilities of COVID testing along with other things, I don’t think too much experience is going to be a negative thing this particular spring for sure.”

The Governors will also have numerous fresh faces on the field at Raymond C. Hand Park when game-action resumes. Janssen believes there are a few newcomers in particular that could make an immediate impact in 2021.

“I think when you look at our pitchers, we have three junior college kids Austin Loeb, Nick Wellman and Michael Sturek who initially will contribute out of the bullpen,” Janssen said. “Those roles may change, but the commonality is that those guys can help us on the mound. We have a freshman from in town here in Clarksville, Nolan O’Shoney, who has a really good future that we’re excited about.

“As far as position players, we have a new shortstop Xavier Torres who should lock down that spot. He is a really athletic defender and a really good runner. We have a new catcher who transferred in from Notre Dame Jack Alexander who has certainly checked the boxes in the time that he’s been here. One other bat in the freshman class is Jeremy Wagner who has been really steady also.”

Outfielder Garrett Spain and first baseman John McDonald were each named to the Preseason All-OVC Team which was announced on Thursday.

Spain hit .274 with four home runs, two triples and 13 RBI last season while McDonald batted .289 with three home runs and 14 RBI in an injury-shortened 2019 campaign.

Janssen believes each player is more than deserving of the acknowledgement.

“The first thing you talk about with them both is their bats,” Janssen said. “I think last year John was poised for a break-out type of year and he literally got hurt the first game of the year, so John’s honors were voted on from two seasons ago. He’s a guy that has a little bit of pop and can give you a little juice in these OVC ballparks.

“Garrett is the player in our clubhouse that has probably had the most accolades. Along with his baseball ability which is plenty, he has a great mentality. For those that know Garrett, there is a hockey background and with that comes toughness and some of those type of things. He takes great routes in center field and brings some leadership too. When Garrett speaks, people listen. I’m very happy to have both of those guys in the locker room.”

Outside of Drew McIllwain and Tucker Weaver, there were a lot of eye-popping ERAs from the Gov pitching staff last season. Only 17 games played explains some of the inflation in their numbers, but the top of the rotation and back-end up the bullpen will be two areas to watch specifically early on in the year.

Austin Peay goes on the road to start the 2021 season Friday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. against Dallas Baptist in Dallas, Texas. The Governors’ home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. at Raymond C. Hand Park against Southern Illinois.