Bill Neale remembers when his Kansas Wesleyan baseball teams pursued those in the Kansas Conference's upper echelon.
"I was chasing those teams for several years here chasing (Oklahoma Wesleyan) and chasing McPherson or Friends at times, whoever it was," he said.
Things have changed dramatically, though. The Coyotes are now the hunted rather than the hunters in Neale's 12th season.
"We've kind of flipped the script and it's the other way," he said. "It's fun, it's enjoyable."
They shared the conference title with OKWU last spring - their third consecutive crown - and won the KCAC postseason tournament en route to qualifying for the NAIA's Opening Round for the third consecutive year. The Coyotes were 41-15, 30-6 in the KCAC, and have won 133 games since 2023.
Neale expects nothing less moving forward.
"The plan is to get to Lewiston (Idaho, site of the NAIA World Series) and make some noise there," he said. "Obviously, it starts with winning the KCAC and winning the tournament. We know we've set a high bar here. We're not going to rebuild; we're going to reload and go get good players."
The task won't be easy. Graduation depleted the pitching staff along with the outfield, and there's the typically rugged KCAC to deal with.
Neale welcomes the challenge.
"I don't think there's any pressure with it, I don't think our guys feel that. We believe in ourselves, we believe that the only team that can beat us is us, so we prepare very well every week so that when we get to games we're going to win," he said.
Neale points to the coaching staff as a big reason for their success. Associate head coach Bret Ringer and pitching coach Tyler Huffstickler each return for their fourth season.
"I think it's the consistency of how we operate and honestly how the three of us are so different, but we work so well together," he said. "We have a consistent mindset. The kids that come back each year have bought into what we're doing and the new ones that come in say 'This is the Coyote way, this is how we win Coyote baseball games'."
Reloading the pitching staff is the key.
"We're only bringing back 140 innings of 460 innings pitched last year, and that was mostly from three guys," Neale said. "There's going to be a lot of new faces."
Shaw Lee (5-0, 2.45 ERA) started six games last year. Riley Gwin (3-1, 2.61) earned All-KCAC Second Team honors as a relief pitcher and is joined by fellow reliever Hunter Blea (0-0, 3.47, 5 saves). Thalen Wright, Will Yamka, Davin Hinote and Tyler Wise also return after seeing spot duty. Aiden Henderson is back after missing last season with an arm injury.
"We have some guys that were a part of it that are coming back, but they're going to be asked to step into bigger roles," Neale said.
Top newcomers are Russell Freedheim, a transfer from Santa Rosa; Kayden Shivers, a transfer from Loras; and Logan Baptista, a transfer from Merced. Shivers will work out of the bullpen while Freedheim and Baptista will start. Baptista is also and quality hitter and will be used as a designated hitter along with first base and the outfield.
"He's a big two-way guy, that type of guy we haven't had since Tyler Triano," Neale said.
KWU returns most of the infield - third baseman Garrett Garfield, second baseman Joe Finder, first baseman Fernando Ruvalcaba and utility player Blake Dale.
Ruvalcaba hit .326 with 18 home runs and 65 runs batted in, Garfield .290 with 15 homers and 59 RBI, Finder 11 homers and 38 RBI and Dale .276 with seven homers and 20 RBI. Carter Allen (15 homers, 66 RBI) will open at catcher. He joined the team after transferring from Eastern Illinois and replaces First Team All-KCAC catcher Tyler Favretto.
"(Allen) had a lot to do with why we had the success that we did coming from a Division I school," Neale said. "He's one of those guys that kind of makes us go. Having Garfield back at third base is really important and obviously (Ruvalcaba) at first base or right field."
A key addition to the infield is shortstop Niko Olson, a transfer from Division I Santa Clara.
"He has a chance to be special for us," Neale said.
Catchers Zac Goldenberg and Jackson Harriger will also see duty, according to Neale.
The outfield is a bit murkier following the graduation of Jacob Williamson and Eric Romero. Coulson Riggs and Lakin Franz were backups last season and return. Neale signed transfers Chris Finocchario from Niagara, Tyler Nordike from Santa Rosa and Mason Allmara from North Dakota College of Science. Isaac Hawthorne, a transfer from West Valley College, will be used in the outfield and infield.
"Offensively I'll say this - I think this is going to be the hardest team just to pick the roster, to pick the top 18 hitters to take with us let alone figure out who's starting," Neale said. "We've got 14, 15 guys that could start for us right now. Great problem for me but I might have to have some tough conversations with guys. That's never fun."
Neale expects the KCAC to be a gauntlet once again.
"It's as deep as ever," he said. "OKWU is going to be a menace. They're getting probably the best pitcher in the conference back off Tommy John surgery, and they brought some guys in. Ottawa is going to be really good; Tabor is always right there and making (NAIA) Opening Rounds; Friends is talented and plays really good baseball. Then there's McPherson, always one of the most talented teams. It should be another great year for the KCAC."
The Coyotes won't have to go far for the conference tournament which will be played April 29-May 2 at Dean Evans Stadium.
"It's great for our community," Neale said. "It means a lot to me because this is my 12th year and Salina is one of the reasons why I haven't left. It will be nice for us to sleep in our own beds and all that good stuff."
Weather has already affected the start of the season. KWU's season opening series at University of the Southwest (N.M.) has been moved to January 26 and 27 in Hobbs, N.M.