SAN FRANCISCO — The first official day of spring may still be a ways off, but the Academy of Art University baseball program is ready to start its seventh year in a growing history, and also begin a new era in 2015 – One that will be headed by new head coach Dan McDermott.
 
The Urban Knights embark upon a 48-game schedule beginning at home Monday at Laney College with a non-conference doubleheader versus California Collegiate Athletic Association member Cal State Stanislaus – a team that holds a 15-1 advantage in the teams' all-time series dating to 2009. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
 
McDermott inherits an Urban Knights team that set a program record for wins (12) in 2014. ART U also caught some national attention last fall when former Urban Knight Brandon Poulson signed a professional contract with the Minnesota Twins.

But that is all in the past.

McDermott has been working with the Knights since his hiring in June, molding the team behind attitude and effort – a "hard nose" mentality that they hope will bring a fresh perspective in 2015.
 
ART U returns 14 letterwinners from last year's squad and welcomes seven newcomers, all of whom should make a big impact. On the field, nine position players return compared to just four lost, including six starters. Half of the pitching staff is also back, with six arms returning for 2015 after six departed.
 
A team's strength can be measured by its strength up the middle, and senior catcher Chucky Cavestany returns to anchor the Urban Knights' middle after a solid 2014. He batted a team-best .308 with nine doubles and 13 RBIs last season and also threw out 18 potential base stealers. Junior center fielder Joseph Marchini is back to roam the outfield after stealing 15 bases and logging six outfield assists in 2014.
 
More offense is back for the Urban Knights in the form of junior utilityman and relief pitcher Maclane Brady. Brady hit .282 in 29 games last season with two home runs and 10 RBIs. He also made three starts and 11 appearances out of the bullpen, posting a 4.13 ERA while striking out 17.
 
Other returning position players include senior shortstop Jordan Thomas, senior first baseman Daniel Skinner, junior second baseman Cody Edmunds, senior outfielder Daniel Robertson, junior outfielder Greg Ivory and sophomore outfielder Daniel Gutierrez.
 
Senior right-handed pitcher Nate Gercken is back to lead the pitching staff. The veteran posted a 2.95 ERA last year with a 2-to-1 strikeouts-to-walks ratio (49 Ks, 24 BBs). He threw 82 1/3 innings with two complete games. Also returning from last year's starting rotation is sophomore righty Josh Lopez. Lopez started eight games last year and posted a complete game while throwing 58 total innings, second on the team only to Gercken.

Senior left-hander Yoshi Uemura looks to join the rotation this season after making three starts in 2014. Also back from last year's bullpen is senior Nick Giotta, who had a 3.42 ERA and 1-1 record in nine appearances. Sophomore Alex Kuisel comes back after notching a 3.41 ERA in 12 showings on the mound during his freshman season.
 
Academy of Art will look to improve on its 1-20 road record from a year ago, as six of its first eight games are away from Laney College. The Urban Knights will enjoy a 20-game home stand from Feb 20-March 21 before playing 16 of its final 20 games away from the Bay Area.