Tennessee Baseball Report   2012 Small College Previews

NAIA

Bethel    Bryan   Cumberland     Freed Hardeman     King     Lee    

probable starters:

Pos.  Name                Hit/Throw     Class
C- Tyler Roberson          R/R           JR (Dyer County HS)
  David Gardner           R/R           FR (Hopkinsville HS KY)
1b-Celtic Rush             L/R           SO (Lexington HS)
  Chris Cain              L/R           SR (Wallace State CC AL)
2b-Will Erwin              R/R           FR (Adamsville HS)
  Jordan Mobley           L/R           FR (Arlington HS)
SS-Cody Crocker            R/R           JR (Jackson St CC)
3b-Chase Pilkenton         R/R           SR (Dyersburg St CC)
  Ryne Bivens             R/R           FR (Riverside HS)
LF-Jordan Stack            L/R           JR (Bolivar HS)
  Josh Lindsey            R/R           JR (Harding Univ)
CF-Brian Ferrell           L/R           JR (Jackson St CC)        
RF-Lance Jarreld           R/R           SO (Walters St CC)
  Alden Rakestraw         R/R           FR (Cullman HS AL)    
DH-Committee

Pitchers
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
 Gary Ward              LHP      JR   Pitt CC
 Brooks Oursler         RHP      SO   Ole Miss
 Spencer Clifft         RHP      SR   Tennessee
 Joey Wilder            RHP      JR   Dyersburg HS
 Jason Overton          RHP      JR   Columbia St CC
 Michael Freeman        RHP      JR   Dyersburg St CC
 Cade Chambers          LHP      JR   Walters St CC
 Taylor Reeves          RHP      JR   Dyersburg St CC
 Keaton Gregory         RHP      JR   Dyer County HS
 Glenn Smith            RHP      SR   McKenzie HS
 Jason Foley            RHP      JR   Adamsville HS
Closer Turner Bush       RHP      SO   Goodpasture HS


Preview:

2011 Record 27-22 (TranSouth Tournament Runner Up)

Entering his fifth season, Rusty Thompson (107-82) and his staff look to build on the 27-22 record and runner up finish in the 2011 TranSouth Tournment. Picked 4th in TranSouth Preseason poll, Wildcats return 1 first team transouth and 5 second team transouth players. We look to improve on last years tournament success. We have a good returning class to go with a solid recruiting class and the arms that we added have solidify our pitching staff. We feel we will play solid defense and do small things offensively to put us in position to compete each weekend.

Schedule Highlights
(2)Belhaven #15
(3)Missouri Baptist #15
(3)Union TN #14
(3)Cumberland TN #7
(2)Southern Poly #21
(4)Culver Stockton #RV
(4)Northwestern Ohio #RV
(3)Martin Methodist #RV

probablestarters:

Pos.  Name                Hit/Throw     Class
C-    Ryan Seaton         R/R            JR
1b-   Joe Mike            R/R            JR
2b-   Robert Prieto       R/R            JR
SS-   Kyle Dearing        R/R            SO
3b-   Evan Mansell        R/R            SR
LF-   Kirkland Wheeler    L/R            SR
CF-   Justin Mackey       R/R            JR
RF-   Ryan Grigaitis      R/R            JR
DH-   Ben Ihde            L/R            SR

Conference Rotation
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
1   Roberto Ferguson    RH       SR
2   Daniel Wallace      RH       JR
3   Hunter Newby        RH       SR
Closer- Drew Suttles    RH       SO

Non-Conference Starters
#  Name               RH/LH  Class
1  Andy Southard      LH     SR
2  Charlie Overturf   LH     SR
3  Amos Bingham       RH     SR
4  Jonathan Soto      RH     SR
Any other pitchers who will help-
Keith Smith RHP FR
Joe Creasy RHP SO
Matt Singleton LHP SR


Preview:

2011 W -27   L-28    
Starters returning :  Position players: 8    Pitchers: 5

Outlook by position:

Infield -
The Transouth Conference will be hard pressed to find another infield with as much experience as the Lions in 2012. Joe Mike, Evan Mansell, and Robert Prieto have been fixtures in the line-up over the past three years and Kyle Dearing returns after starting 52 games as a freshman. Senior transfer Ben Ihde has started all three of his previous seasons as well to give the Lions another potent bat and steady glove.
“It makes you feel good as a coach when you look out on the field and see guys that have been there before and been successful. If you have a lot of returning players that haven’t done very well, maybe that experience isn’t a positive. Each of these guys have played at a very high level at differing stages of their collegiate career. If they can duplicate those stretches over the course of this season, we have the chance to win a bunch of games.”
Mike returns at first base after hitting a combined .311 in his first two seasons. A summer in the Ohio Valley Collegiate League may have helped push the right-handed swinger over the hump after hitting .301 in the wood bat league. Prieto returns for his junior campaign after hitting .391 with 32 doubles and 40 stolen bases in his first two seasons. Prieto will make the switch in positions to second base this season after starting the previous two years at short stop.  Dearing moves over to short stop after spending 2011 at second base. Dearing led the Lions last season with 35 stolen bases after getting on base at a .442 clip. A couple sophomores provide depth in the middle infield. Lincoln Lakoff returns after hitting .293 in 17 starts as a freshman, mostly at DH. Dustin Speight appeared in 32 games as a freshman with his ability to play three infield positions and all three outfield positions. Mansell figures to return to the clean-up spot after driving in 41 runs with se!
ven home runs and 15 doubles as the starting third baseman in 2011. Mansell earned post-season All-Star honors in the New York Collegiate League this summer. Ihde transfers from Lambuth University where he was the starting third baseman for the Eagles. Ihde, a 2006 Cincinnati Reds draft pick, can play either corner position and brings much needed left-handed pop to the order.  
“we have a lot of production returning from our infield and have high expectations that they can not only duplicate what they have done in the past, but have even better years. We have spent a lot of time working on our infield defense, an area we felt we were weak at last year, and look to see some improvement in that area," Coach Estes said.


Catching-
The one position the Lions have had to replace from 2011 was behind the plate where only two starts return.  Senior Josh Goodwin enjoyed a full fall season with the Lions after transferring in at Christmas break in 2011. Junior College transfer Ryan Seaton earned high praises in the fall from the pitching staff because of his blue collar approach and his ability to negate the running game. Highly anticipated freshman Jake Todd rounds out the catching trio after having a productive fall.
“Ryan is as good of a throwing catcher that I have had. Josh has the most experience being around our pitchers and going through a grueling Transouth Conference series and can help relate that to some of the younger guys. Jake has great ability and a great work ethic which will allow him to be successful,” Coach Estes said.


Outfield-
Justin Mackey returns to center field after a breakout sophomore season that saw him hit .409 with a .504 on-base percentage. Both numbers are among the all-time leaders at FHU. Seniors Kirkland Wheeler, Jesse Hykes and Tyler Wilson all saw significant action in the outfield as well last year with Wheeler making 49 starts and Hykes and Wilson making 28 and 25, respectively.
“Justin really surpassed expectations with the numbers he put up last year and the defense he played. The result is his expectations have gone up. Kirkland and Jesse both provide power bats and the ability to change the complexion of a game in one swing. Tyler really had a good fall and has got us excited to see him carry it over this spring,” Coach Estes said.
Senior Blake Taylor returns after being the primary courtesy runner the past three years. Taylor has 42 career stolen bases in 42 career at bats. Jake Francis will pull double duty this season as a pitcher and position player. Francis hit .250 in 15 starts last year.
Two newcomers figure to see opportunities in the outfield for the Lions. Three Rivers College transfer Ryan Grigaitis has the ability to play in the infield or outfield and should help boost an already established line-up. Freshman Pete Trollinger impressed coaches in the fall with a smooth left-handed swing and plus abilities on defense. “Our outfield situation is probably the most competitive on the team. When you have six players back that started at least 15 games last year and add two junior college starters and several freshmen than can really play, it gives you a lot of possibilities and makes for a lot of competition.”


Pitching-
The Lions look to improve upon last season’s 4.94 team ERA with a collection of solid returners and exciting newcomers. Hunter Newby, Roberto Ferguson, Andy Southard, and Charlie Overturf all return as weekend starters. Junior College transfer Daniel Wallace figures to pitch meaningful innings on the weekends to round out a solid rotation of arms. Amos Bingham has also started weekends during his career and could provide valuable depth if any of the top five go down.
“Newby has been a weekend guy the last three years and has gotten better every year. Andy is a guy that really steps his game up against better teams. His best starts last year were against the top teams in our conference. Roberto has ace quality stuff. He showed that down the stretch last season when he went 3-0 in his last four starts with a 1.08 ERA. Overturf won six games as a sophomore and battled through injury last year so we are excited to have him back at full strength. Wallace brings a different dimension that we haven’t had the last two years. All five of these guys could be our #1 by the middle of the year,” Coach Estes said.
Drew Suttles returns to anchor the bullpen after leading the team in appearances (25), ERA (2.81), and saves (5) as a freshman. The depth of the bullpen is a highlight for the Lions this season. Senior right-handers Bingham and Jonathan Soto along with southpaw Matt Singleton give the staff plenty of middle and late inning support. Left-handers Ryan Wood and Eric Tompkins give the Lions two additional experienced arms after assuming major roles on the junior varsity squad the last two seasons. Sophomores Jake Francis and Joe Creasy as well as freshmen Ryan Fares and Keith Smith will look to take advantage of early opportunities.  

Schedule Highlights-
The Lions once again play a very challenging schedule. After travelling to UT-Tyler Feb 10-12, the Lions will play four consecutive weekends against NAIA ranked or receiving votes teams. Non-conference games include #3 Lee, #15 Belhaven, and NCAA D2 power North Alabama.

Key to success in '12 -
The Lions figure to rely on experience with 11 position players that had at least 15 starts last season and the addition of four transfers that started at their previous institution. The mound will be a place of familiarity as well with well over 600 college innings returning for a pitching staff that looks to be as deep as it is talented. “We have almost an entire roster of players that have been recruited by the current coaching staff so we feel this year will be a good test of where we are and where we want to go. I think ‘experience’ is the best word to describe what we have with this team. We won’t go through anything this year that hasn’t already been experienced by these guys. After having just two seniors last year, that combined for just three seasons of competition, the Lions look to 14 seniors to help them reach the NAIA Opening Round for the first time in school history. “Having a bunch of seniors doesn’t automatically mean you will be successful. We’ve talked to these guys and they understand what is at stake. You can feel there is a sense of urgency with these guys and that is good for the entire program,” Coach Estes said.

Pos.  Name                Hit/Throw     Class
C- Jorge Saez/Taylor Comford R/R        JR/SR
1b- Roberto Reyes            R/R        SR
2b- Blake Barber             R/R        SR
SS- Edmanuel Rivera          R/R        JR        
3b- Roberto Duran/Preston Scoggins R/R  JR/SR
LF- Mike Moore               R/R        SR
CF- Chris Avey/Brady Renner L/L R/L     JR/JR
RF- Trevor Burgess           L/L        JR
DH- Corey Davis              R/R        JR

Conference Rotation
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
1   Kris Hall            RH       JR
2   Patrick Merkling     LH       JR
3   Vince Spilker        RH       JR
Closer Joe Fabre/Jose Samayoa RH  SR/JR

Non-Conference Starters
#  Name               RH/LH  Class
1  Jose Samayoa        RH     JR
2  Andy Hillis         RH     SO
3  David Eskew         LH     JR
4  Matt Passauer       RH     SR
Any other pitchers who will help- SR LHP James Rechenbach, FR LHP Ryan Zimmer, SO RHP Dustin Lawson, JR RHP Mike Fasolo, SO RHP Alex Moore

Preview:

2011 W - 51  L- 14    
Starters returning : Position players: 3   Pitchers: 7

Outlook by position:

Infield - Our infield will be anchored by SS Edmanuel Rivera.  The slick fielding SS will be a boost to our team defense.  Blake Barber, a mid-semester transfer from Cal St Fullerton will be a solid bat at 2nd base.  SR Roberto Reyes is the teams top returning hitter and will man 1B.  SR Preston Scoggins and JR Roberto Duran will fight for time at 3B and both provide great options.  SR Max Harvell will also fight for time at SS and 2B. Powerful Corey Davis should handle the DH responsibilities.

Catching- JR Jorge Saez and SR Taylor Comford will handle the majority of the catching duties.  Saez is a solid catch and throw guy and Comford returns for his senior season after medical red-shirting in 2011.  He was the backstop on our 2010 NAIA Runner-Up team.

Outfield- This may be the deepest position on the team.  JR's Chris Avey and Brady Renner provide a great 1-2 punch in CF.  Most likely, one will end up at a corner OF position while not playing CF.  SR transfer Mike Moore will man LF and JR Trevor Burgess will most likely assume the RF spot.  Up to 3-4 other outfielders could see significant playing time.

Pitching- Our pitching is also one of the deepest spots on the team.  Several guys could be options for the rotation, but the weekend should be anchored by JR Kris Hall (#80 prospect by Baseball America), JR Patrick Merkling (2011 drafted by Baltimore) and JR Vince Spilker (drafted 20th round 2011 by the Dodgers).  The quality up front pitching should make the bullpen deeper.    

Schedule Highlights- The SSAC is again going to be a rugged test.  The league placed 7 temas into the NAIA Natioal tournamnet last year and it appears to be loaded with talent again.  Traditional non-conference battles with Cumberland, Union College, Tennessee Wesleyan, and Trevecca make it a difficult process, but one which should prepare the team well for the post-season.

Key to success in '12 - Team Chemistry, Overall team health, and offensive and defensive execution.
 

probable starters:

probable starters:
 

probable starters:

Pos.  Name                Hit/Throw     Class
C- DOUG JOYCE              R/R           SR  
1b-JIM MARTIN/KODY PINSON L/R R/R        SO/JR  
2b-RJ RAYBORN             R/R            SR
SS-DANNY GRIMM            R/R            SR
3b-COLE McADAMS           R/R            JR
LF-CLINT BARNES/KIAN JOST R/L R/R        SR/SR
CF-BRETT PAWLAN           R/R            SR
RF-HUNTER SMITH           R/R            SO  
DH-WILL IRVIN             R/R            SR

Conference Rotation
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
1 WILL IRVIN            RH      SR  
2 JARED DAVIS           RH      JR
3 JEREMEY STACK         RH      SR
Closer JACOB ALEXANDER  RH      FR

Non-Conference Starters
#  Name               RH/LH  Class
1 HUNTER SMITH        RH     SO
2 JOHN REED           RH     JR  
3 COLIN HATCH         RH     SO
4 CODY DEW            RH     SR
Any other pitchers who will help-
DAVID LEISEY RH  JR
BENJIE FESMIRE RH JR
WILL EMBRY RH  FR


Preview:

2011 W -38   L- 19      
Starters returning :10  Position players:7    Pitchers: 3

Outlook by position:

Infield -We return our entire infield with the exception of 1b.  Our infield is very athletic and consistent.  We finished last season fielding .970 as a team.  We expect to be as good, or better this Spring. Danny Grimm(ss) is the anchor up the middle.  He has started from day 1 as a freshman.  RJ Rayborn(2b) has good range and brings a toughness to our infield.  Cole McAdams(3b) has started for two years and won the conference gold glove last season.  Firstbase will be played by Jim Martin and Kody Pinson.  Both guys are very solid around the bag.

Catching- Catching will be handled by Doug Joyce and Tim Anderson.  Doug is as good as it gets.  He is a pre season all american and great leader.  Tim provides solid defense and a take charge attitude.

Outfield- Our outfiled is very fast and athletic.  Leftfield will be between Kian Jost and Clint Barnes.  Both guys are good offensively.  Centerfield is Brett Pawlan.  Brett a great defender and top of the order guy.  Rightfield will be Hunter Smith.  Hunter has a good arm and is very good offensively.      

Pitching- Jeremey Stack and Jared Davis are both first team All Conference selections.  Both guys provide great leadership and poise when on the mound.  Will Irvin(Transfer) will be our number one this Spring.  Will has good stuff and the ability to pitch with three quality pitches.  Hunter Smith has made a push for one of the weekend spots.  Hunter has swing and miss type stuff.  Colin Hatch will return after missing last sprng with injury. Before his injury he was making a push for closing out games.  Cody Dew, lead our team in appreances last spring, is a sidearm guy that gets outs.  You can use Cody in all situations.  John Reed will provide bullpen help on the weekends and mid week games. Benjie Fesmire, David Leisey, and Will Embry will provide depth.          

Schedule Highlights-Schedule is tough once again with our usual conference schedule, which includes #7 Cumberland. Mid week games against ranked teams Missouri Baptist#15 , Belhaven College#16 , and Taylor University #25.  

Key to success in '12 - Offensively we must get some consistency out of the bottom of our order.  If that happens we will have the chance to be a very solid club in all areas.