DUE WEST, S.C. – Opening Day for the 2021 Erskine College baseball season is fast approaching, and head coach Mark Crocco has once again pulled together a squad capable of contending for a Conference Carolinas tournament championship.  
 
Baseball Schedule | Baseball Roster | 2019 Season Stats 
 
In just 58 days, the Fleet take the field to begin their 41-game regular season. Here's all you need to know to get you ready for the Fleet's 2021 campaign.

2020 RECAP 
The hottest squad in the Conference Carolinas before last season's COVID-19 cancellation was the Erskine Flying Fleet. Before the global pandemic halted all contests, the Fleet were winners of six in a row and were outscoring opponents at a 73 to 21 clip. Their six-game streak helped the Fleet steadily climb up the ranks of the Conference Carolinas. The Fleet finished the 2020 season with a 17-8-1 overall record with a 6-3 mark in Conference Carolinas competition. 

THE NUMBERS 
The Erskine offense was amongst the nation's finest a season ago, trailing only Newberry College in total stolen bases. The Fleet took 67 bags, 26 more than the next Conference Carolinas squad Mount Olive collected. 
 
"Second in the nation last season on the base paths and we feel we've put an even heavier emphasis on baserunning with the addition of some of the guys we brought in," Crocco said. "We'll continue to play fast and be aggressive on the base paths." 
 
The Fleet also fared quite well nationally in several other offensive categories: 
2nd – 67 stolen bases 
2nd –67 doubles 
3rd –216 runs 
4th –262 hits 
8th –10 triples 
37th –.307 batting average 
 
This season, however, Crocco believes his team is capable of much more than producing a top-ranked offense. 
 
"I expect us to compete in the upper echelon of the conference and to win a championship," Crocco said. "I am very confident in this group to compete at the highest level. We have a great mix of newcomers and transfers who should help us win games right away." 
 
THE OFFSEASON 
Through his first three seasons at Erskine, Crocco holds a 72-58-1 record as the Fleet skipper. 
 
In year four, however, Crocco has sensed something special about this team. 
 
"We are coming off the most competitive fall that we've ever had since I been at Erskine," Crocco said. "I am extremely excited about putting this group on the field. We were absolutely rolling last season and we have some upperclassmen with unfinished business." 
 
There is one difference about this 2021 team compared to years prior, though. 
 
"We are deep," Crocco said. "We have a significant amount of depth, especially in the outfield which will be a strong asset for us. This is a very close-knit group and they really enjoy playing together." 

FIRST PITCH? 
The Fleet take the diamond in less than two months when they challenge rivals Lander University on February 5 at 12:00 PM. Opening weekend is highlighted with a doubleheader on both Friday and Saturday (Feb. 5-6) with Lander and Queens. 
"We open this year with Lander, and we hope to open every season by facing Lander whether it be here or in Greenwood," Crocco said. "Next year they'll be here, and we look forward to playing those games." 
 
The Fleet opened their 2020 campaign against the Bearcats in dramatic fashion. Trailing 6-3 entering the bottom of the 9th, the Fleet rallied to tie the game and then Drew Yniesta connected for a two-out walk-off single to give Erskine a 7-6 win. 
 
Find out more about the walk-off victory, here. 

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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