(Anita, IA) — Mitch Long is the new Baseball Head Coach at CAM this season and is hoping to build on the Cougars 15-9 record. CAM was a consistent 20 win team from 2016 till 2022 but dipped to 9 wins in 2023 until rebounding last year. Long says it will start with pitching — Senior Lukas James needs to reduce his walks but had 43 strikeouts in 37 innings, Chase Spieker is back from his injury and Makade Paulsen had a 2.16 ERA a year ago
Spieker suffered a serious injury last summer which kept him on the sidelines for football and basketball seasons but will be back to try and end his CAM career on a high note. Last season, Spieker hit .380 with 3 HR and 26 RBI and Long is excited to see what he do this season
The Cougars lose two seniors off last year’s club so there is a lot of talent coming back — Senior Brayden Chester hit .398, Senior Austin Eblen batted .339, Senior Lukas James hit .318, Senior Kegan Croghan hit .273. Long says he is walking into a veteran team that he doesn’t have to rebuild
CAM opens their season on Monday, May 19 hosting Bedford.
Complete Interview with Head Coach Mick Long
