The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team has built a reputation of being a gritty, hardnosed team that fights until the last pitch – and that will never change.

The Panthers are excited to bring that reputation down south as the team opens its season Tuesday afternoon with a doubleheader against Wisconsin Lutheran in Fort Myers, Fl. It is the first of eight games Pitt-Bradford will play during their 10-day stint in Fort Myers.

"I think we are going to open some people's eyes around the league. We have a group that loves to work hard and be on the field," said Pitt-Bradford assistant coach Zach Foster. "Our team chemistry is something that will set us apart. We are a family, and that carries over on to the field. If we do the little things perfectly, control what we can control, and play the game the right way, we will be in a good spot come playoff time."

The Panthers graduated first team All-AMCC selection Connor Borowski and second team selection Ethan Showers from last year's team. However, they are returning a solid group of players including first team All-AMCC selection Jay Clinger.

Clinger returns for his sophomore season at second base after an outstanding freshman campaign. He was the only freshman in the league to receive first team honors. He finished the year second on the team with 37 hits and third in runs scored with 20. He finished the year hitting .322 while driving in 13 runs.

The Panthers also return senior, Pat James. He and Clinger will serve as the team's captains this season.

"We are very fortunate to have Pat's veteran leadership to help mold the young core that we have," Foster said.  "Every single player on this team is going to have an important role in our success. We have a young team with some freshman and sophomores who could potentially play some huge roles for us. We look to Jay Clinger and Jean Turber to have big years offensively, with a great young core of freshman to step in and produce as well."

The Panthers have flexibility at the majority of the positions around the diamond. Austin Parent, Keagan Goodliff and Sawyer Packard are locked in a three-way battle for the starting spot behind the plate. Brody Wood and Austin Hoggatt will see time at first base. Clinger will start at second. Dalton Renn and Kevin Sompel will play third while Jacob Rivers will start at shortstop.

Brock Blovsky, J.J. Kitchen, Turber and James will be in the outfield while James, Kitchen, Hoggatt and Tim Brown will see time at designated hitter.

Ryan Northcott, Justin Beimel, Matt Hogue and Ryan Boyer are expected to contribute on the mound this season.

"We are looking to Ryan Northcott to establish himself as a starter this season on the mound," Foster said. "He has the stuff to be one of the better pitchers in the league if he stays consistent and sticks to his strengths and plan as a pitcher."

For Pitt-Bradford, every game will be important.

"We want to win them all, bottom line," Foster said. "Our guys have set a standard for themselves to work toward perfection. With that said, every conference game is going to be equally important and we put a high emphasis on taking those games."

The Panthers get their first shot at a win, Tuesday afternoon with a doubleheader against Wisconsin Lutheran at Terry Park in Fort Myers.