Friday will mark the start of Presidents’ Athletic Conference play for the men’s baseball team when they travel to Crestview Hills, Kentucky for a doubleheader with Thomas More.

Early on in the new season, the team has struggled to get games in due to inclement weather, may it be cold, rain or snow. The weather presents an interesting situation for many baseball teams across Western Pennsylvania in March, the Yellow Jackets have been no exception.

Head coach Mike Humiston believes the team did their best to stay loose while being stuck indoors.

“We have the gym that we participate in on [the bad days],” said Humiston. “We were canceled and we were able to get the pitchers inside to do a little bit of long toss and [pitcher fielding practice] stuff so we’re able to get some things done. Our guys do a good job of focusing in on getting done what they need to get done as far as hitting and fielding.”

Opening up PAC play is always exciting for the Jackets, and Humiston and his team realize that it will force them to increase their efforts.

“We talk about how the start of conference matters, because when we play nonconference we may not do as well in those games, so there is a sense of urgency with our team and coaching staff,” said Humiston. “Putting our best foot forward is always our intent, so it starts Friday over at Thomas More and we hope that we play the way we’re capable of and if we do that the outcome will take care of itself.”

Friday’s opponent is Thomas More, a team that has always brought a lot to the diamond against the Jackets in the past. Last year, the Jackets went 1-for-2 against the Saints. This will mark the final two games scheduled with Thomas More before their departure from the conference.

“They have a good team and a good program,” said Humiston. “I think our guys that have played them in the past respect them and I know our coaching staff does. They do a lot of things well, so it is going to take a good effort to beat them. It’s not like we haven’t done it before, over the last 12-13 years we’ve won our share of games against them.”

As for the Jackets, they will look to use the pitching part of their game to beat the Saints. After just a handful of games, Humiston is impressed with the pitching performances he has seen from his athletes.

“In spite of our record, our pitching did better than I anticipated in Florida,” said Humiston. “We do have some things to work on from a defensive and an offensive standpoint, but I think our pitching kept us in a lot of games. We just didn’t get it done from some other standpoints and those were crucial to some of those games.”

Another obstacle that the Jackets have faced early on is injuries. A few Jackets have already had to sit out games, and Humiston feels that this will improve as the season progresses.

“From a coaching standpoint, we have had some injuries,” said Humiston. “Those are not excuses, they are just reality. We’ve had some guys out and before Thomas More we [should] get those guys back and it should help us make a good run at this conference championship.”

The Jackets will play the Saints in a doubleheader on Friday.