The players returned from the Big South Conference tournament, cleared out their lockers, held exit interviews with Craig Cozart and headed their separate ways.

For all the success High Point University enjoyed during the 2010 baseball season, the Panthers still came up short of their ultimate goal: extending their season into June at the NCAA Regionals.

“I think the overlying theme is they were very proud of the things they were able to accomplish as a team – things that hadn’t happened here in two decades,” the Panthers’ head coach said. “But there was a definite wanting for more. Not going to an NCAA tournament has left a void in our complete satisfaction for the season.”

Cozart and assistant coaches Bryan Peters and Rich Wallace arrived at HPU from Central Florida two years ago intent on righting a sinking ship. The Panthers showed promise at times last year and finished 21-32 overall and 11-12 in the Big South.

Thanks to an explosive offense, High Point sailed into uncharted waters this spring. The Panthers won eight weekend series – five of them sweeps – finished fourth in the Big South at 15-12 and went 31-29 overall. That record was far and away the program’s best in the NCAA Division I era (since 1999) and ended up being the first winning record since 1990, when the Panthers still competed in the NAIA ranks.

“They did change the face of the program with what they did this year,” Cozart said. “The expectations are changed now going forward.”

Four seniors graduate, including top hitters Matt Gantner, Max Fulginiti and Pablo Rosario. Gantner and Fulginiti started all 60 games this spring. Gantner ranked second on the team with a .379 batting average and broke the school’s single-season record for hits with 88. Fulginiti batted .365 with 84 hits, and tied Gantner for the team lead in doubles with 25, also a team record.

Toss in junior Nate Roberts – a potential loss to the major league draft after hitting .416 with 19 homers and 69 RBIs – and plenty of firepower will be gone for a team that led the Big South in team batting.

With talents such as Murray White IV, Steve Antolik, Andrew Bartlett, Mike Mercurio and Kyle Mahoney returning to work with hitting guru Peters, the Panthers’ head coach isn’t concerned about the offense moving forward.

It’s the pitching staff that clearly needs work after posting an earned run average of 6.91 (ninth out of 10 league teams), opponent batting average of .331 (ninth) and ranking either last or next-to-last in runs allowed, walks allowed, wild pitches and home runs allowed.

“If we had an area where we are still trying to improve, it’s what we do on the mound,” Cozart said. “We had a nice core of offensive players on the team when we took the job and we had a long ways to go on the mound. That’s difficult to change in one year, and that is one of the emphases for this year, to add some arms.”

That fourth senior, Jamie Serber, served as HPU’s top starter this spring. He finished 6-3 with a 5.42 ERA, throwing nearly 30 more innings than the next-closest Panther. Other regulars in the rotation included freshman Jared Avidon, sophomore Al Yevoli and junior Brian Jones, with freshman Jaime Schultz and juniors Corey Swickle and Mike Caldwell throwing often in relief. Former Wesleyan Christian Academy standout Mikel Rodenberg led the Panthers with eight saves in his junior campaign.

“We got some good things out of our freshmen this year and we only lose one pitcher,” Cozart said. “Each of those guys will come back and be better than what they were this year, which I think bodes well.”

Only about 10 Panthers will play this summer, with most grabbing some rest after the long season. Many players take summer session classes, allowing them to work out with the strength and conditioning staff.

Cozart and his assistants, meanwhile, busy themselves on the recruiting trail, wrapping up a few late additions for the 2011 season and luring in recruits for the coming years.

They’ve got plenty to talk about now when it comes to High Point baseball.

“Our coaching staff and family are very happy living here, representing High Point University, and we know we can continue to take this program to new heights,” Cozart said. “The future is definitely bright here – for High Point University athletics overall.”

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