By Will Stadler
“PING,” the ear-piercing ring from an aluminum bat, echoed through the USA National Training Complex in Cary last Wednesday, signaling the start of the 2025 baseball season for William Peace University.
The offseason has been long and relatively cold for the Pacers, having to sit on the less than ideal finish to the 2024 campaign for seven long months. Peace finished seventh in the USA South last year, missing out on the conference tournament.
A fairly young and inexperienced core, along with one of the worst cases of the injury bug Peace has ever seen, contributed to the lack of success. Although the Pacers have been predicted to once again finish seventh in the conference, the new spring has given way to a new optimism around the program, as the Pacers are returning nearly 70% of its starting lineup from a season ago.
(Photo by: Carly Vadinsky. Griffin Sandstrum lays into a ball for a base hit in back in 2024)
One of the major returners, power hitting first basemen Griffin Sandstrum, described where he thought the team was after a productive fall.
“We expect ourselves to be competitive every day,” said Sandstrum. “We are looking to reestablish ourselves in the USA South.”
Some of the uncontrollable aspects of the sports world severely crippled the 2024 Pacers almost immediately. Key contributors such as Jake Dacunto and Cameron Barefoot were hurt by the second weekend of the season.
“Injuries hurt us last year,” said Sandstrum. “We had a lot of guys that weren’t experienced having to grow up too fast and play a lot.”
Sandstrum, who also missed half of the 2024 season due to injury, looks to be a catalyst of positive energy and hard work for the Pacers this spring.
“We have a lot more experience and maturity this year,” said Sandstrum. “I think we can build off of that and have a successful year.”
WPU’s recipe for success on the diamond this year may be as simple as keeping their main older pieces, such as Griffin Sandstrum, Alex Levesque, and Ian Turner, in the highest health from February to June.
Head Coach Charlie Long says his team has focused on longevity during the offseason.
“Our commitment to offseason training was better,” said Long. “Our biggest focus is on the health of our players.”
With a renewed sense of health and strength, Peace’s skipper has been able to look forward to a season with a restructured lineup.
“The middle of our order will be outstanding,” said Long. “I think we might surprise some people offensively.”
The Pacers have restored an important balance of mature veterans, along with some tremendous young talent.
“I’m excited for our seniors,” said Long. “I know they’re ready to prove something after last year.”
WPU added two freshmen that the entire coaching staff has been very impressed with in the early stages of practice. Pacers fans need to know the names Gavin Turner (Infielder) and Matthew Prince (outfielder). These two first-year players will be key contributors to a Pacer squad looking to bounce back in 2025.
(The 2025 Preseason Poll via: usa_south on Instagram)
It may be too early to label the future rightfully restored, but Pacer fans may forget that their team was only two wins away from the program’s first ever NCAA appearance just two years ago in 2023.
Only time will reveal the quality of the 2025 Pacers, but rest assured, the program is full of excitement as the Pacers count down the days until game one, Feb. 11 at St. Andrews.