Washington graduates (from left) Jared Henry, T.J. Rausch, and Walker Breard are expected to get plenty of field time this season for the Cornell College Rams. Photos courtesy of Cornell College Athletics.

Three former Washington Demon baseball players are expected to play pivotal roles for a Division III college baseball team in eastern Iowa. Cornell College Rams head baseball coach Seth Wing joined the KCII PM Sports Page Wednesday to discuss how 2012 Washington graduates Jared Henry and TJ Rausch, and 2014 graduate Walker Breard played vital roles in last season’s 19-22 campaign. Despite finishing last season three games below .500, the Rams won three elimination contests before bowing out in the conference championship to Ripon. A win over Ripon would have sent the Rams to the Division III NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.

Arguably the Rams’ most decorated returner from last season is sophomore first baseman Breard. He brought power to the middle of the batting order, recording a .357 batting average with 10 home runs and a slugging percentage of 1.172. His accolades last season included being named to the 2015 American Baseball Coaches Association Rawlings All-Central Regional second team and a First Team All-Midwest Conference selection as a first baseman. Wing says he expects Breard to be the team’s everyday first baseman.

Henry brings a veteran presence to the Rams’ bullpen as an everyday relief pitcher. Henry threw 21 innings in 18 appearances last season, recording a 7.06 earned run average with 13 strike outs. He ended the year with a 1-1 overall record and two saves.

Utility infielder T.J. Rausch played in 10 games before injuries forced him to sit out the remainder of his junior season. He posted a .321 batting average with four runs batted in. Wing says Raush will get starts this season at shortstop, second and third base.

The opener of the Cornell College baseball season this weekend in Auburndale, FL, competing against six teams a part of the RussMatt Invitational. Their first game is against a familiar foe from the state of Iowa in the Wartburg College Knights at 10 a.m. Saturday.