Team: University of Sioux Falls Cougars
Conference: NSIC
College Level: NCAA D2
2021 Overall Record: 21-21
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Head Coach:
Grant Hieb (6th year)
Assistant Coaches:
Rob Hirrschoff- Pitching Coach (2nd year)
Gunner Peterson (2nd year)
Keenahn Coyle (1st year)
Key Returning Position Players
Grant Lung is a redshirt senior who has started at shortstop since his freshman year. Team Captain who is our best all-around player.
Tyler Cate is a redshirt sophomore who is our starting second baseman. He had a solid first collegiate season last spring and is expected to be a table setter for our offense again this year.
Connor King is a redshirt junior who last year won the program’s first ever Rawlings Gold Glove for his excellent play in center field. We look for him to continue to play at a high level in the outfield this spring while also batting leadoff and being our spark plug on offense.
Key Returning Pitchesr
Matt Graham is a sixth year pitcher that is coming off a solid season last spring and we’re hoping to lead our rotation this year. He can command all five of his pitches and has worked hard to be the leader of our pitching staff.
Andrew Maslowski is a redshirt sophomore who is in his fourth year in the program. He has show great command with his 2-seam fastball and has a plus changeup to go with it.
Alex Krout is a redshirt senior who we expected to be a starter last spring but ended up being our go-to guy out of the bullpen for high leverage situations.
Cole Schumacher is a redshirt junior who is coming off a solid first season at USF. He showed great composure as a starting pitcher last year and was a guy we could count on for a solid outing each time we gave him the ball.
Impact Freshman/Transfers
Hunter Scruggs 1B (RS-FR)
Brady Klehr OF/LHP
Connor McGonigal RHP
Logan Parker-Sjoberg RHP
What things did you see from the team in the fall?
The main takeaway I had from our fall season was the amount of experience we returned on both sides of the ball. We have 7 of our 9 starters back from last year and all but one of our starting pitchers back. We also added 7 transfers to our roster and a talented freshman class and it showed this fall. Our talent is a lot deeper than in years past. My veterans definetly noticed that we’ve taken some big steps in the right direction these past few years and their excited to build on what we accomplished last season.
What was the focus during the fall for the team?
My main focus this fall for my ball club was competing. We competed everyday at practice. Whether it be an on-field batting practice game using technology like Rapsodo, a bunt game, or a scrimmage, we were competing as much as possible. My goal is to build great competitors who strive to be the guy who comes through in the clutch.
What are the expectations and goals for the team entering the season?
My expectation is that we return to the NSIC tournament again this year and build on what we accomplished last spring. Our goal is to improve on last season’s 8th place finish and give ourselves a chance to win the conference tournament and advance to the Regional Tournament.