The George Mason baseball team is gearing up for its 2012 spring campaign with the official start of team practice and will take the next few weeks to prepare for their opening weekend at Elon, N.C.  As spring preparation begins, their work in the past months has been intense and focused.  Let's take a recap at the fall and winter seasons.

The team participated in its fourth-annual Mason Toughman Challenge in November, pushing players to their limits in a series of physical tests that included wall sits, hill climbs, two-mile run and various other challenges.

Defending champions from 2010, pitcher Brandon Kuter and third baseman Blaise Fernandez retained their Toughman titles, as Kuter won the competition with a total of 82 out of 90 points. He was followed by Fernandez who finished with 64 points, leading the position players.

"Toughman brings out the competitive spirit in everybody. These challenges test your mental and physical capabilities, but more importantly it brings out a fun environment for the team," Kuter said.

Recording top numbers in five of the seven challenges, Kuter was best among all competitors in the step-ups, hills climbs and wall sits, while pacing the pitchers with top times in the two-mile run and obstacle course. His most impressive finish was the wall sit, where he and fellow pitcher Ryan Pfaeffle recorded a time of 50 minutes before it was declared a tie...the next closest time was 13:08 by Jake Leonardo.

Fernandez was best overall in the two-mile run and obstacle course, barely edging Kuter in both events. He also led the position players in step-ups and hill climbs.

"It's always a fun challenge to endure physical and mental toughness with yourself and your teammates," Fernandez said.  "We understand that this portion of the season is part of the overall process to reach our standards for this program, which is to win championships."

The team also hosted its annual World Series, with the Jones' Jauggernaughts leading his team to victory over the team managed by the Haymakers in a decisive Game 7. For his efforts during the Mason Series, redshirt sophomore outfielder Josh Leemhuis was named the Mark Gibbs fall baseball MVP by the coaching staff. He batted .455 with 10 hits, five runs scored, seven RBI, two doubles, three walks and two strikeouts in 26 plate appearances.

"Coach Brown always talks about competing with ourselves, against each other, and ultimately against our opponent," said Leemhuis. " The fall World Series is always a friendly competitive spirit that brings out some great games and solid intensity from the entire team.

"And to win an award named after Mason alum Mark Gibbs whom I played high school baseball for, it is a tremendous honor."

The baseball team opens practice for the 2012 season today, and will take to the diamond for the first time on February 17 at the Elon University Tournament.