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Rockhurst University Athletics

Adonis Forte

Baseball

Hawks open season with deep, veteran roster

Adonis Forte led the Hawks in most hitting categories last year
The Rockhurst baseball team will have plenty of familiar faces on the roster heading into Monday's season opener against Truman State. The Hawks return 13 position players who started 14 or more games last year and their top 10 pitchers from last season's 27-24 team.

"We will be one of the most veteran teams in Division II. We will have a deep lineup, one through nine," said Burns, who is going into his 32nd season at Rockhurst.

The Hawks will be led offensively by first team All-GLVC senior outfielder Adonis Forte, who was the team leader in batting average (.374), hits (67), runs scored (50), doubles (17), home runs (7), on-base percentage (.469) and slugging percentage (.598) last year.

Joining Forte in the outfield will be Cole Wagner, Drew Cornelison and Matthew Brimacombe. The infield returns first baseman Andrew Loeffelman, second baseman Payton Clerk, shortstop Dakota Hanna and third baseman Avery Garmon. Patrick Wind and Hoyt Bennett will handle the catching duties.

Michael Laudando returns for his senior year to lead the pitching staff. Laudando posted a 7-5 record and 4.90 ERA on the mound while batting .337 in earning first team All-GLVC honors in 2024.

Jake Canent posted 10 wins and six saves in 63 innings as a reliever last year. The first team All-GLVC and third team All-American will take on a new role as a starter this year.

Joining Laudando and Canent in the rotation will be Gavyn Dockery and freshman redshirt Ryan Hamann. Jackson Dearing, Brendan Rodis, Ryan Joyner, Brandon Hebrank and freshman Trent Clemons will carry the bullpen load.

"I like the depth of our pitching staff. We need to pitch with more consistency this year," Burns said.

The Hawks will play 10 games in seven days to open the season, which was delayed one week due to postponed games. Rockhurst will play a four-game series with Truman State at the Urban Youth Academy on Monday and Tuesday.

Indianapolis and Maryville were picked first and second in the GLVC Preseason Coaches Poll. The Hawks finished eighth in the GLVC poll.
 
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Players Mentioned

Hoyt Bennett

#22 Hoyt Bennett

C
6' 1"
Graduate Student
R/R
Matthew Brimacombe

#32 Matthew Brimacombe

OF
6' 1"
Senior
L/L
Drew Cornelison

#5 Drew Cornelison

OF
6' 4"
Senior
R/R
Jackson Dearing

#27 Jackson Dearing

P
6' 4"
Senior
R/R
Gavyn Dockery

#28 Gavyn Dockery

P
6' 4"
Graduate Student
R/R
Adonis Forte

#30 Adonis Forte

OF
6' 0"
Senior
L/R
Avery Garmon

#9 Avery Garmon

3B
5' 11"
Sophomore
L/R
Ryan Hamann

#17 Ryan Hamann

P
6' 5"
Redshirt Freshman
R/R
Dakota Hanna

#7 Dakota Hanna

SS / P
5' 10"
Sophomore
R/R
Brandon Hebrank

#4 Brandon Hebrank

P
5' 10"
Junior
R/R
Ryan Joyner

#48 Ryan Joyner

P
6' 5"
Sophomore
R/R
Michael Laudando

#21 Michael Laudando

P/ IF
6' 2"
Senior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Hoyt Bennett

#22 Hoyt Bennett

6' 1"
Graduate Student
R/R
C
Matthew Brimacombe

#32 Matthew Brimacombe

6' 1"
Senior
L/L
OF
Drew Cornelison

#5 Drew Cornelison

6' 4"
Senior
R/R
OF
Jackson Dearing

#27 Jackson Dearing

6' 4"
Senior
R/R
P
Gavyn Dockery

#28 Gavyn Dockery

6' 4"
Graduate Student
R/R
P
Adonis Forte

#30 Adonis Forte

6' 0"
Senior
L/R
OF
Avery Garmon

#9 Avery Garmon

5' 11"
Sophomore
L/R
3B
Ryan Hamann

#17 Ryan Hamann

6' 5"
Redshirt Freshman
R/R
P
Dakota Hanna

#7 Dakota Hanna

5' 10"
Sophomore
R/R
SS / P
Brandon Hebrank

#4 Brandon Hebrank

5' 10"
Junior
R/R
P
Ryan Joyner

#48 Ryan Joyner

6' 5"
Sophomore
R/R
P
Michael Laudando

#21 Michael Laudando

6' 2"
Senior
R/R
P/ IF