Kimbler, 45, a former minor league infielder, has shown the ability to recruit nationally. Nine members of the 31-man roster arrived from California. Kimbler’s willingness to endure growing pains with so many freshmen — he could have gone for a quick fix by signing junior college transfers — underscores his desire to build a program for the long haul.

“Being able to play four years, it’s going to help leaps and bounds confidence-wise,” said Cameron Serapilio-Frank, a freshman right-hander. “I really feel comfortable with how much our team is growing this year, but I can only imagine where we’re going to be in three years when we have gotten used to the college setup and the way things are run. I think sophomore, junior and especially senior year, we can make some really big noise.”

The Violets will take a 1-2 record into what looms as the most challenging part of their schedule, when they begin league play and face their University Athletic Association opponents from March 8 to 15 in Sanford, Fla. They will not play their home opener until March 28, when they host Brandeis for a doubleheader at MCU Park in Brooklyn. The field also serves as home for the Brooklyn Cyclones, a Mets affiliate. N.Y.U. has a five-year agreement to use the ballpark, which is about a 45-minute drive from campus. Kimbler, keenly aware of the fragile makeup of the roster and the urgent need to instill confidence, is working to build off that lone victory.