Progress on the diamond has been achieved via baby steps for Presbyterian College since the Blue Hose joined the Division I ranks as a member of the Big South Conference in 2008. Head coach Elton Pollock, who is guiding the program for the 13th season, has seen his team take subtle yet significant strides over the last several campaigns, including back-to-back 27-win showings in 2015-16, which represent the highest total in PC’s D1 era, and a school-record 12 conference victories last spring. After playing professionally in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization and spending seven years in the business world, Pollock returned as an assistant coach under Doug Kovash prior to taking the reins as head coach in 2005. The 2017 campaign will be Presbyterian’s 10th as a D1 program, and Pollock believes the pieces are in place for the Blue Hose to post their best season to date and contend for their first conference championship. PC welcomes back six starters among the position players, two of three members from last year’s weekend rotation, and nine pitchers who saw extensive activity in relief roles a year ago.