DEMOREST, Ga. — Baseball is set to open its season on Friday, Feb. 16, beginning a three-game trip in Georgia against Piedmont. The Panthers were left out of the NCAA Tournament in 2023 for the first time since 2017 (not counting the shortened 2020 season).

Here's everything you need to know about the team looking to return to the postseason.

THE NEW AND THE OLD

The Panthers return five starting position players, one top-three starting pitcher, and a plethora of bullpen arms. Max Banks, an All-SCIAC and All-Region selection last season, is set to start on Fridays after a summer pitching in the Cape Cod League. 

The Panthers return key bats in AJ Anzai (Two-time All-SCIAC), Kai Osaka, Ryan Nopper, Josh Phillips, and Austin Dudas. Phillips looks to improve upon his 17-career homers and set the program record for career home runs - currently held by Jared Love with 22. Dylan Holt returns after missing last season with an injury. He and Henry Chabot (d3baseball.com All-Region X Rookie of the Year) should be the anchor of the bullpen.

Chapman's new faces include Division I transfer Thomas Golbranson, from St. Thomas (Minn.). Freshman righthander Matt Kuromoto looks to steal a spot in the weekend rotation. 

Speaking of new, the new look Hart Park features an all-turf infield. The stout Panther defense should improve with the true hops.

KEY MATCHUPS

The Panthers begin their season on the road in Georgia, taking on three quality teams in a three-day span. They'll face Piedmont, Spalding, and NC Wesleyan. They come home to take on Whittier in a conference series before a grueling out-of-conference schedule against the likes of SUNY Cortland, Adrian, Tufts, and Centenary. 

Entering back into SCIAC play on March 22, the Panthers will take on CMS, then close out the season with three straight weekends against La Verne, Pomona-Pitzer, and Cal Lutheran. 

CONFERENCE OUTLOOK

The Panthers are the highest-ranked team in d3baseball.com's preseason poll at 18th in the nation. Chapman suffered a heartbreaking end to the season in 2023, losing to Cal Lutheran in the SCIAC Championship game and missing out on the final at-large bid in the NCAA tournament field. 

The SCIAC continues to get little love in the national poll as La Verne is the only other team that cracked the top 25 (23rd), while Cal Lutheran received votes. Pomona-Pitzer had a strong start to the season, beating No. 5 ETBU in a series, 2-1, in Texas. They look to rebound after a disappointing 2023 season.