TIFTON — Spring is still two months away but the boys of summer at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will take to the baseball diamond Wednesday afternoon.

ABAC’s Stallions are to play an exhibition game at Valdosta State, the first action against another school for the 2018 season. Friday, the regular season starts with a home doubleheader against St. Johns River State (Fla.).

“A quick turnaround,” said head coach Brandon Reeder.

Indeed.

Spring semester began at ABAC Jan. 8. Even though the team had fall practice sessions, they have had barely two weeks to work together this month.

Reeder admits it’s “a little nerve-wracking,” but feels good about the talent he will have on the field.

The Stallions finished 32-28 in 2017, but caught fire in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament. After dropping their first round game to Andrew College, ABAC won three straight games to advance to the conference championship.

Unfortunately, their luck ran out there and the squad was defeated by Georgia Highlands, 8-3, in the finals. ABAC’s motto this year is “Unfinished business.”

Reeder believes the Stallions might be a championship calibre team, though he said the road to the tournament will be even tougher. The conference schedule is expanding from 24 games to 30, he said, and the number of teams making the GCAA tournament is shrinking, from six to four.

Part of the reason for Reeder’s confidence is pitching.

“We return four starting pitchers,” he said.

Dalton Rentz was the big winner on the staff last year with six and struck out a team-high 61 batters.

“He’s going to be our ace this year,” Reeder said.

Blake Howell, Drew Martens, Blake Durrence and Cole Garrett are back as well.

Garrett, he said, is the most improved pitcher on staff.

“He’s gotten a ton better,” he said. “He’s running [pitches] up there pretty good.”

Reeder is also expecting much from newcomers Walker Bass, Matt White and Buck Blalock. Bass and White are both Lanier County alumni, with Blalock coming over from Colquitt County. Bass’ speed has been as good as 91 miles per hour. Blalock has an outstanding breaking ball.

“He’s just a competitor,” said Reeder of Blalock. “He’s a bulldog.”

White can also play in the field.

ABAC’s hitters have power, but Reeder said they are a patient group, less prone to striking out.

Alex VanDerStok is expected to be one of the Stallions’ top hitters. A shortstop, he is a transfer from Georgia Southern. Mark Felton, who will be ABAC’s starting catcher, is another transfer, coming in from Armstrong State as is second baseball Stone Stephenson, who is coming in from Wallace State (Ala.)

“I like this group,” said Reeder. “We had a really good fall offensively.”

Besides his own team, Reeder said he expected Georgia Highlands and South Georgia State among the best teams in the GCAA.