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Griffons slated for Thursday season opener
Back for their 32nd season on the diamond, the Nevada Griffons’ 2017 opener is slated for 7 p.m., Thursday at home against the Midwest Nationals.
The Griffons concluded the 2016 campaign with the MINK League’s No. 1 ranked offense. Additionally, the Griffons led the way with a dozen players selected to the MINK South Division All-Star team in ’16.
As was the case last season, Nevada’s schedule is front-loaded with home contests, as 18 of the Griffons 24 home games are in the month of June.
After guiding Nevada to a 22-20 conference record, and second-place finish in the MINK League South last season, Ryan Mansfield returns for his ninth season as Griffons’ head coach.
According to www.nevadagriffons.org Mansfield has compiled an overall record of 226-165 with the Griffons.
Mansfield’s previous experience includes assistant coaching positions with Metropolitan Community College-Longview in Lee’s Summit, Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College and Central Methodist University.
Although Nevada’s 2017 roster was not provided to the Daily Mail, the Griffons are expected to have heavy turnover from last season. A season ago, the Griffons returned only one player from its 2015 squad.
Having sustained success in summer baseball can be challenging, according to Mansfield, who also serves as the Griffons’ general manager. “The toughest thing about summer ball is trying to figure out what guys are going to fill what roles,” Mansfield said prior to the 2016 season opener. “The biggest thing right now is trying to figure out how to win as soon as possible.”
Note The Nevada Griffons June 3 home game, and July 10 road contest with the Ozark Generals are scheduled doubleheaders