(Peru, Neb.) – There is optimism about the upcoming Peru State Bobcat baseball team as it gets ready to open play today, Friday, January 22, 2021, in Wichita, Kansas, against Friends University at 2 p.m.
 
The first optimistic aspect is that there is hope that hopefully the entire season can be played this year without being cut short like it was last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team is trying to follow the best protocols to stay healthy and avoid the coronavirus, but should have the depth to overcome a few players at a time possibly having to isolate or quarantine.
 
The second optimistic aspect is that the NAIA granted 2020 spring student-athletes the opportunity to return for another season as they did not charge players a season of competition due to situation last year. Several Bobcat seniors returned to graduate and to play one more year.
 
While Peru State is optimistic, they know they participate against some very tough competition and will be challenged in every single contest. However, the end goal is always the same – win a Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) championship and earn a national post-season berth.
 
With the potential of more than 50 contests, the 'Cats will look to improve on the previous year's record of 8-12 overall and a 4-3 record in the Heart. In 2019, the team had finished 20-24 overall, but finished with a 16-11 Heart mark.
 
Peru State is returning two Heart all-conference performers from 2019. Senior first baseman Adam Cendejas (Chino Hills, Calif.) and junior Jesus Tavarez (Santa Domingo, D.R.) were named to the all-conference first and second team respectively.
The following is a breakdown by anticipated positions for the current 32-man varsity roster.
 
Pitchers
 
Several pitchers return who saw action for Peru State in 2020. They include seniors Daniel Castillo (Barranquilla, Columbia) and Manual Cabellero (Dolega, Panama); juniors Joshua Santiago (Carolina, P.R.) and Reiner Mendez (Barquisimeto, Venezuela); and freshmen Blake Feeken (Crete) and Luis Pacheco (Miami, Fla.). Castillo threw the most innings last season (34.2) with Santiago throwing 31. Santiago had the best earned run average of the team while Castillo struck out 38.
 
New pitchers joining the staff include seniors Jose Diana (Santa Isabel, P.R.) – transfer from Linsey Wilson College, Joseph Vargas (Juana Diaz, P.R.) – transfer from Faulkner University, and John Laureano (Gurabo, P.R.) – transfer from Central Christian College (Kan.); juniors Steven Ortiz (Yonkers, N.Y.) – transfer from Bethune Cookman University and Sebastian Rodriguez (Cayey, P.R.) – transfer from Northeast CC; sophomores Garrett Bassinger (Nebraska City) – Nebraska City HS, Juan Rodriguez (Bayamon, P.R.) and Victor Figueroa (Caguas, P.R.) – transfer from Hibbing CC; and freshmen Jan Vargas (Juncos, P.R.) – Byou Academy HS.
Catchers
 
Three catchers are returning from last season with senior Jose Chacin (Machiques, Venezuela) seeing the most time behind the plate. Also returning are freshmen Diego Rivera (Carolina, P.R.) and Casey Steffens (Omaha).
 
Joining the team this year to bolster the position are sophomore Luis Rodriguez (Carolina, P.R.) – Riversidedad del Carolina and freshman Gustavo Rivera (Bayamon, P.R.) – transfer from Cisco College.
Infielders
 
Besides Cendejas and Tavarez, returning infielders include seniors Luis Landaeta (Porlamar, Venezuela) and juniors Xavier Wright (Calumet City, Ill.) and Jackson Tingwald (Ralston).
 
Also on the roster this season are junior Jose Solis (Los Santos, Panama) – transfer from Clarendon College and freshman Jeremy Santiago (Ponce, P.R.) – The Vine Christian Academy HS.
Outfielders
 
Senior Hector Torres (Gurabo, P.R.), Wright, and sophomore Devin Adams (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) all come back with playing time from last year.
 
Newcomers in the outfield are junior Josue Francisco (San Cristobel, D.R.), sophomore Johannes Booyens (Johannesburg, South Africa) – transfer from Jackson CC, and Figueroa.  
Utility
 
Two players on the roster are identified as utility players. They include Caballero and Tyler Levy (Nebraska City) – transfer from Briar Cliff.
 
Batting and Statistics
 
Cendejas, Tingwald, and Chacin are the team's leading returners. Cendejas averaged .455 last season while Tingwald finished at .410. Chacin was just below .400 with a respectable .389 average.
 
Wright, Landaeta, and Torres all had perfect fielding percentages with minimal numbers of catches considered.
 
Schedule
 
Peru State is opening its campaign this weekend with a three-game series against Friends University in Wichita, Kan. The opening pitch will be thrown Friday at 1 p.m.
 
The first Heart competition is scheduled for Saturday, March 13, when the Bobcats face Benedictine in Atchison, Kansas.
 
The first home games are scheduled from March 20 and 21 when the 'Cats host Heart North Division foe Mount Mercy (Iowa).
 
Coaches
 
After having just his third losing season (includes the pandemic-shortened 2020 season) since becoming the Peru State head coach, Wayne Albury will lead yet another Bobcat club toward high hopes in 2021. This is Albury's tenth season at the helm of the program.

 
Albury won conference titles with Peru State in 2012 and 2015, then departed for the 2016 campaign before returning the next season.
 
Former Bobcat Gianfranco Garlobo was hired as the first fulltime assistant in program history. Garlobo played for two seasons under Albury and then worked as a graduate assistant for the past two seasons.
 
Joining the coaching staff this season is former Bobcat player Bryan Ventura Castro who served as a student assistant for the past two seasons. Ventura Castro played under Albury for two seasons finishing his career in the spring of 2018.
 
Former player Felix Rodriguez is serving as a student coach for the season.