The defending Mid-American Conference baseball champions know everyone will be gunning for them this season.

Western Michigan University head coach Billy Gernon wouldn't have it any other way.

"There is a target on our backs and they will be coming for us and that is a good thing," Gernon, who enters his 15th season at the helm, said. "I want guys coming after us because we'll be coming after them, too.

"I've been telling our guys that there is zero pressure to win it. We've proven it. The only pressure we should feel is the demand to come to practice and get better so we can do it again. I think that changes your perspective about what we're trying to do, which is get better every day so we are playing our best when it matters the most."

The thing is, MAC opponents won't recognize the way WMU comes after them, in either hitting or pitching.

"Last year, we relied on a lot of power," Gernon said. "This year, we're going to rely a little more on chaos on the bases, with stolen bases, more movement, but we also have the reigning MAC Tournament MVP Dylan Nevar sitting in the middle of the lineup."

WMU (32-23 overall, 19-11 MAC for second place in the regular season) lost 42 of its 65 home runs hit last season. However, Nevar, a senior, led the team in home runs with 16 and RBIs with 71. WMU led the league with a .313 team batting average, too.

As for pitching, WMU led the MAC with a 5.55 earned run average and an outstanding seven shutouts. The only problem is reliever Luke Thelen was drafted by the Colorado Rockies and starter Brady Miller signed with the Chicago Dogs of the American Association. Miller led WMU in starts with 16 and Thelen had a sterling ERA of 3.53.

In all, WMU lost three of its four top hitters, its starting catcher, center fielder and right fielder. It also lost its pitching coach when Daniel Schlereth went to the University of South Florida.

Replacing Schlereth is former major leaguer Zach Putnam, who was a teammate at the University of Michigan with current Detroit Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter. Putnam was Michigan's bullpen coach last season.

"We're very excited to have landed Zach with his experience and major league pedigree," Gernon said.

The coach in charge of causing chaos on the base paths is Josh Rebandt. For the past six seasons, he was the field manager of the Traverse City team in the Northwoods League.

WMU does return 20 players from the 2024 championship team.

"We have been blessed with good seniors in our past and we have that again this year," Gernon said. "We have veterans, but they are new veterans.

"The biggest thing I'm trying to get adjusted to is the last two years, I could have made out a lineup card which wouldn't have changed that much throughout the season. This season, we could have different lineups until we find our rhythm, our identity."

The pitching staff will have some of those veterans as well as new arms. Transfer Ty McKinstry, a junior, "has earned the nod to be our Opening Day starter," Gernon said.

He's also looking at returners DJ Thompson, Matt Hoover and Zach Vriesenga and transfer Joey Wizceb for starting spots. The bullpen will be once again led by senior Turner Doran, who had three saves and a 3.44 ERA. In 34.0 innings, he struck out 42 and walked just 10. Senior Joe Shapiro returns after striking out 26 in 37.1 innings. Also, Kent State transfer Aiden Hinds could chew up some innings after moving from shortstop.

"Aiden has arguably the best fastball and best curveball on the team," Gernon said. 

Three of the four starting infielders, Brendan Harrity at third, Grady Mee at second and Michael Maloney, at shortstop, all are back. Harrity hit .299, Mee .292 and Maloney .273.

Gernon is looking at juniors Avery Thielman, Lucas Rick and Connor Ostrander at first base. Catching is a battle between transfers Diego Pena and Chris Akers.

Nevar is a stalwart in the outfield with Luke Kerrins, Cooper Hums and Jackson Isaacs among those vying for spots.

Western Michigan has 22 home games scheduled this season, "and that includes The Citadel, which I don't think has ever come to Western Michigan before," the head coach said. "In my career, we are a much better team at home, but we don't play as many as I would like."

The Broncos open on Feb. 14 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C., playing Michigan State. WMU also has games with Dayton and Monmouth in Cary.

"This year, we have 12 games scheduled against Power 4 conference teams," Gernon said. "That is a very high percentage of games that we know, going in, are going to be very, very difficult.

"The team members want that kind of schedule and so do I."

Last season, that kind of schedule helped the Broncos win the MAC Tournament.