2008 Spring Preview

Chattanooga St.     Cleveland St.    Columbia St.    Dyersburg St    Hiwassee    Jackson St.

Motlow State    Roane State     Southwest TN     Volunteer State    Walters State

 
Chattanooga State
probable starters:

Pos.  Name                Hit/Throw     Class
C-  Beau Geren              R/R          Soph
1b- Kendal Wells            L/R          Soph
2b- Scott Guest             R/R          Soph
SS- Heath Cheverton         R/R          Soph
3b- Bren Schuehler          R/R          Soph
LF- Pat Jones               R/R          Soph
CF- Ryan Williams           R/R          Fresh
RF- Edwin Borbon            R/R          Fresh
DH- Coty Green              R/R          Soph

Weekend Rotation
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
1  Zach Driggers         RH      Fresh
2  Coty Green            RH      Soph
3  Bren Schuehler        RH      Soph
Closer Lee Henry         RH      Soph

Weekday Starters
#  Name               RH/LH  Class
1 Wes Alsup            RH     Soph
2 Corey Davidson       RH     Fresh
3 John Howard          RH     Fresh
4 Bradden Scott        RH     Soph
Any other pitchers who will help- We have some outstanding arms that should fight
for innings this spring.  Brian Satterfield, Chad Reeves and Zeke Owen should be in
the mix to get innings.

Preview:

2007 W - 52  L- 12 
Starters returning :7  Position players: 5   Pitchers: 2

Outlook by position:

Infield -Our infield should be strong with a plethora of sophomores returning.
Wells, Green, Guest and Cheverton were big parts of our record setting season last
year and are going to be counted on for this spring.  Third base is a bit of a
question but Schuehler had a nice fall and should add pop to the line up.

Catching- Geren has recovered well from his surgery after his senior season and
looks good back there and Aaron Short has been a solid freshman so far this fall. 

Outfield- This is where we are a little less experienced but still talented.  Edwin
Borbon has looked great out there as has Ryan Williams, both freshmen.  Pat Jones is
a very solid defensive player and just needs his bat to come around.  Blake Hixson
and Beau Geren will see time out there as well as newcomer Seve Alvarez.

Pitching- We have very good arms and guys that saw success last season.  Coach
Robert Long has done another super job with these guys and we are expecting big
things from them on the bump.  Henry and Green had superb years last year and some
of the newcomers look to be solid replacements for Thomas Gray ( Tennessee Tech )
and Drew Bowlin ( draft San Francisco ).

Schedule Highlights- We play nationally ranked Gordon and Wallace Hanceville as well
as Georgia Perimeter and Gadsden State.

Key to success in '08 - Keep on doing what we have been fortunate to do and that is
compete well and try and establish our game early.  Good pitching and defense has
been our hallmark so far and hopefully that will continue.  This team has a chance
to be a special group like last year's was but the table is clear right now and we
have to start building our own record.
 
Cleveland State

probable starters:

Pos.  Name                Hit/Throw     Class
C-  Ty Nelson             R/R           SO
1b- Will Davis            R/R           SO
2b- Brandon Munsey        R/R           SO
SS- Travis Adair          L/R           SO
3b- Andrew Hennen         L/R           SO
LF- Chris Anselmo         R/R           FR
CF- Travis Borum          R/R           SO
RF- Andrew Root           L/R           FR
DH- Cory Hilton           R/R           FR

Weekend Rotation
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
1 Stephen Pryor         RH       FR
2 Josh Barrett          LH       FR
3 Phil Mariani          RH       FR
Closer Ben Booker       RH       FR

Weekday Starters
#  Name               RH/LH  Class
1 Jay Bolen           RH       FR
2 John Bradley        RH       SO
3 Drew Housewright    LH       FR
4 Drew Flaniken       RH       SO
Any other pitchers who will help-
Zack Lawson           RH       SO
Luke Whittaker        RH       SO
Nick Pierski          LH       FR
Mike Jacobs           RH       FR



Preview:

2007 W -   L-    
Starters returning :  Position players:    Pitchers:

Outlook by position:

Infield - The infield will be loaded with depth and should be one of our strenghts.
We will start all sophomores in the infield with a lot of experience from last year.
 Infield defense will have to be outstanding for us to be successful

Catching- Ty Nelson will return as the starter and catch most if not all of the
games.  Ty has great leadership and is one of the best defensive catchers in the
game.  The number two is still up in the air right now.

Outfield- Travis Borum will return as the only outfielder.  Little or no experience
in the corner position.  Look for freshman to step up and contribute heavily.

Pitching- Only four sophomores return on the staff.  The majority of innings will go
to freshman.  Pitching should be our best area with a lot of functional depth.  Ten
to eleven guys should see innings this spring.

Schedule Highlights- As always our schedule starts with our outstanding conference.
Other mid week notables are Young Harris College, Wallace State, Gadsden State,
Okaloosa Walton, Shelton State, and Middle Georgia.

Key to success in '06 - Execution, is the key to almost every baseball teams
success.  We really have to find a way to lean on our sophomore leadership and gel
together with good chemistry.  Pitchers have to be able to throw strikes and be
consistent.  If we can find a way to eliminate free bases we should have a great
chance to compete in the league.
 

Columbia State
probable starters:

Pos.  Name                Hit/Throw     Class
C-Alex White, Cody Pomeroy l/r r/r       s/f
1b-Chris Hale              r/r            f
2b-Tim Eggerton            r/r            f  
SS-Chris Lovett            r/r            f
3b-Corey Hale              r/r            f
LF-Hunter DeBerry          r/r            f
CF-Tony Allen              r/r            f
RF-Holden Killen           r/r            f
DH-Drew Earl               l/r            s

Weekend Rotation
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
1 Shane Tilley             LHP     S
2 Wes Gobble               RHP     F
3 Matt Fiser               RHP     F
Closer Steven Dodson       RHP     F

Weekday Starters
#  Name               RH/LH  Class
1Hunter Fowler         RHP    F
2David Trent           RHP    F
3Jordan Stumbo         RHP    F
4 Josh Tramel          LHP    S
Any other pitchers who will help- Brock Glass, Clint Shelby, Matt Vaughn 

Preview:

2007 W -   L-    
Starters returning :  Position players:    Pitchers:

Outlook by position:

Infield - We will be very young on the infield but should have some play makers.  If
we make all the routine plays we will be fine.  Someone will have to step up and
become the leader that we need.

Catching- Alex White is a returning player that will see a lot of playing time and
will provide some pop from the left side of the plate.  Cody Pomeroy will also see
the field, a very good defensive catcher; he will control the running game.  Cody
will need to be consistent offensively. 

Outfield- Again very young, they will have to step up defensively and offensively.
We will look to our outfield to drive in a lot of runs.

Pitching-  We are returning one starter from last year so we will have to learn on
the job this year.  They will have to learn that they can't pitch like they did in
high school.  We have have the opportunity to pitch very well and the depth to go
deep into the season.

Schedule Highlights-  Every conference game will be a highlight.  You have to show
up ready to play every game or you will loose.  I'm very excited about the season
and ready to get started. 

Key to success in '08 - Executing every time we get the chance, pitching well and
playing solid defense.  We will have to limit our mistakes that a lot of young
players make and get on and off the field.  We have the opportunity to win a lot of
games this year but we must do all the little things right.


 
Dyersburg State
Probable starters:

Pos.  Name                Hit/Throw     Class
C-  Lemond Arthur          L/R            FR
1b- Johnathan White        R/R            SO
2b- Joe Glass              R/R            FR
SS- Matt Holliman          L/R            SO
3b- Phillip White          R/R            SO
LF- ??????????????         ???            ??
CF- Capris Longmire        R/R            FR
RF- Wes Lane               R/R            FR
DH- Trey Morrison          R/R            SO

Weekend Rotation
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
1 Shawn Smith            RH      SO
2 Derek Copley           RH      SO
3 Johnathan White        RH      SO
Closer Bubba Victory     RH      FR

Weekday Starters
#  Name               RH/LH  Class
1 Brad Davis           LH    SOPH
2 Ryan Whitson         RH    SOPH
3 Levi Davenport       LH    SOPH
4 Brandon Cooper       LH    SOPH
Any other pitchers who will help- Scott Doby Freshman LHP, Rusty Edwards Freshman
RHP,Alex Lewis Freshman RHP, Miller Scoggins Freshman RHP, Derek Hinson Frshman RHP,
should see some action also.

Preview:

2007 W - 43  L- 13   
Starters returning :  Position players:    Pitchers:

Outlook by position: If we get the pitching we could be competitive.

Infield - Our infield should be Ok.  We have several combinations we may be able to
use when Phillip White becomes completely healthy after suffering a broken leg last
season. 

Catching- Lemond Arthur will be the starter and will be backed up by Beau Baker and
Corey Bruner.  Arthur is a talented hitting catcher with good footwork behind the
dish.

Outfield- We will be Ok in the OF

Pitching- We return all but three arms from last season

Schedule Highlights- Every Conference opponent.  This conference is so tough from
top to bottom that if you take a week off, you will be 0-3.  Non-Conference we play
Meramec CC, John A. Logan, Itawamba CC, Northwest MS CC, Forest Park CC, and Three
Rivers which are all very solid programs.

Key to success in '06 - "We must play as a team and limit our mistakes.  We must be
more consistent on the mound to match last year's staff.  Finally, we need to play
with more intensity than we have displayed to date.  This group is very laid back
which concerns me."

 
Hiwassee
probable starters:

Pos.  Name                        Hit/Throw     Class
C- Jamey Davis/Doc Crowe          R/R - R/R     SO/FR
1b-Brad McPeek                    L/R           SO
2b-Spencer Williams               S/R           SO
SS-Matt Hargis                    R/R           FR
3b-Carl Seals                     R/R           SO
LF-Matt Roberts/Matt Byrd         R/R - R/R     FR/FR
CF-Bobby Turner/Ryan Queen        R/R - R/R     FR/FR
RF-Chase Harp/Daniel Morgan       R/R - R/R     FR/SO
DH-Daniel Evans/Daniel Morgan     L/L - R/R     FR/SO

Weekend Rotation
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
1Kyle Godfrey           RH       SO
2Mark McGill            RH       FR
3Matt Byrge             RH       FR
Closer - Brent Boyd/Chase Harp

Weekday Starters
#  Name               RH/LH  Class
1Cody Searcey         RH     FR
2Drew Bowers          RH     FR
3Jordan Huettel       RH     SO
4Pete Moser           RH     SO
Any other pitchers who will help- Kaleb Penley (RH - FR) and Nick Holder (RH - SO)
will both be quality right handers coming out of the pen.


Preview:

2007 W -   L-    
Starters returning :  Position players:    Pitchers:

Outlook by position:

Infield - Our infield this year should be solid.  We have experience in our starters
at 1B, 2B and 3B, and Matt Hargis should be able to step in as a freshman and do
what is expected of him to be an everyday shortstop. 

Catching- I feel that we will be better defensively behind the plate this year as
Jamey Davis has improved not only at the plate but defensively as well.  Doc Crowe
should see considerable time behind the plate this year as well as he has proven
that he can handle the pitching staff well and be tough behind the plate.

Outfield- We are still looking for the guys that want to be in the outfield on an
everyday basis.  We are young in the outfield and have big shoes to fill after last
year. I feel that there might be many starting combo's in our outfield this year
depending on our opponents, match-ups, and situations.

Pitching- Our pitching staff might lead our team this year.  Kyle Godfrey will carry
a big load for us this year but we have many other pitchers who I feel comfortable
with as far as thier competitiveness and thier stuff.  There is not a big gap
between the first and last man on our staff so it will be interesting to see how
they handle it this year.

Schedule Highlights- Aside from our conference which is a tough match-up every
weekend, we will travel to Louisburg College, Gordon College, Middle Georgia
College, Young Harris, Blue Ridge C.C., and St. Catharine's. 

Key to success in '08 - I think our pitchers will give a chance to be in every game,
offensively we must look to be aggressive and scrappy at the plate and on the
basepaths to squeeze across as many runs as we can.  Defensively we must focus on
making the routine plays and playing within the framework of what we try to do. 
 
Jackson State

probable starters:

Pos.  Name                Hit/Throw     Class
C-Josh Jones/Haskell Fink r/r-r/r       so/fr
1b-Joe Sparacino           l/r          so
2b-Khayyan Norfork/Cory Allen r/r       fr/so
SS-Alex Turner             s/r          so
3b-David Maristany         r/r          so
LF-Derrick Blackwood/Elliot Bonner l/l-r/r  so
CF-Austin King             r/r          fr
RF-Davis Pearce            r/r          fr
DH-Josh Brock              l/r          fr

Weekend Rotation
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
1 Michael Panthofer      rhp     so
2 Bradley Williams       rhp     so
3 Jacob Fox              rhp     fr
Closer

Weekday Starters
#  Name               RH/LH  Class
1 Will Bonner          lhp    fr
2 Allan Hargett        lhp    fr
3 Jarrod Parker        rhp    fr
4 Derrin Rogers        rhp    fr
Any other pitchers who will help-
Jake Overzet
Cody Crocker


Preview:

2007 W -   L-    
Starters returning :  Position players:    Pitchers:

Outlook by position:

Infield - An experienced infield should help a young pitching staff. Our team
leaders are the guys on the infield so I feel like we will be strong defensively. We
have returnee's in at least 3 or 4 positions, each had a good freshman season.

Catching- We will be solid behind the plate with Josh Jones and Haskell Fink. Jones
caught 20 games. in 2007. It won't drop off any with Haskell behind the plate. He had
a good fall and has shown improvement defensively.

Outfield- We have several guys that have similar defensive ability, so it will
mainly depend on who gets it done at the plate. Derrick Blackwood, Davis Pearce,
Elliot Bonner, Josh Brock, and Austin King all do a good job defensively and each
showed an offensive side in the Fall.

Pitching- Our pitching staff showed signs of promise in the Fall. Returners Michael
Panthofer and Bradley Williams will be the anchors as long as they stay healthy.
Jacob Fox, Will Bonner, Cody Crocker, Alan Hargett, Jake Overzet, and Jarrod Parker
all showed they could get people out in the Fall. A guy to look for mid spring will
be Thom Hunter Pratt. Pratt is recovering from shoulder surgery and sat out last
year. He could be ready by mid April.

 

Motlow State
 
Roane State
probable starters:

Pos.  Name                Hit/Throw     Class
C-  Ryan Cole               R/R          FR
1b- Kyle Hicks              R/R          SO
2b- Chase Fellin            R/R          FR
SS- Jacob Smith             R/R          SO
3b- Derrick Sise            R/R          FR
LF- Kyle Adams              R/R          FR
CF- Josh King               R/R          FR
RF- Cody Church             R/R          FR
DH-

Weekend Rotation
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
1 Wil Lynam             RH       So
2 Josh Garland          LH       Fr
3
Closer Michael Foxworth

Weekday Starters
#  Name               RH/LH  Class
1
2
3
4
Any other pitchers who will help-

Preview:

2007 W -   L-    
Starters returning :  Position players:    Pitchers:

Outlook by position:

Infield -

Catching-

Outfield-

Pitching-

Schedule Highlights-
The Raiders' schedule will be comprised of challenging opponents again this season.
Five opponents on the 2008 schedule are ranked in the top 20 in the national
pre-season polls.

Key to success in '08 -
To succeed, the Raiders must develop their identity as a quality team and overcome
youth and inexperience.  Roane State will start only two sophomores in the field.
On the mound, the Raiders will look to Wil Lynam as their sophomore leader.
Freshmen pitchers will have to make the adjustment to college quickly to lay a good
foundation for the tournament.


 
Southwest TN
probable starters:

Pos.  Name                Hit/Throw     Class
C-    Jordan Wakefield    RT/RT         SO  Austen Moody     RT/RT      FR
1b-   Cory Rudolph        RT/RT         SO  Jesse Brooks     RT/LT      FR
2b-   Matt Dangar         RT/RT         FR  David Clayton    RT/RT      SO
SS-   Mike Fortenbery     RT/RT         FR  Ryan Ripperton   RT/RT      SO
3b-   Devin Hicks         RT/RT         SO
LF-   Billy Ray Todd      LT/LT         SO
CF-   Daniel Hill         RT/RT         SO  Grant Garlington RT/RT      SO
RF-   Dustin Dover        RT/RT         FR  Josh Hansen      RT/RT      FR
DH-   Chris Coleman       RT/RT         FR  Cory Stultz      RT/RT      FR

Weekend Rotation
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
1   Dusty Carver        RH  SO          Colby Fitzpatrick    RH   SO
2   Chris Coleman       RH  FR          Chad Free            RH   SO      
3   Dusty Dover         LH  FR          Brandon Goodam       RH   SO 
Closer  Jas Ferguson    LH  FR          Kirby Grisham        LH   FR 

Weekday Starters
#  Name               RH/LH  Class
1  Adam Hampton       LH     SO         Nick Purcell         RH   FR
2  Tim Harmon         RH     SO         Shane Phillips       LH   FR
3  Matt Ince          LH     FR         Mitch Warren         LH   SO
4  Bryan Joyner       Rh     FR         Chris williams       RH   FR
                                        Justin Wright        RH   FR

Any other pitchers who will help- What we have done is add some much needed depth to
our pitching staff. We don't have any idea who will be our top pitchers at this
time. I can tell you this they have worked there butts off for Coach Holt and I know
for a fact this will be our most improved area on the field!


Preview:

2007 W -18   L-41    
Starters returning :  Position players:    Pitchers:

Outlook by position:

Infield -I don't know how much we can improve here over last year. That group we had
last year should have taken the field wearing body armor when some over our
pitchers took the mound. We will replace a good hitter in Clay Wright with another
good hitter in Devin Hicks at SS Phillip Gibson was solid but between Ryan Ripperton
and Mike Fortenberry we have two very capable replacements. Between those two it
will come down to who is hitting. At 2B we will have more power at this position
with Bartlett 07 State Champ Matt Dangar and the very capable David Clayton. First
Base will see the return of Cody Rudolph who is an athlete at thought spot who can
pick it and hit it.

Catching- North Alabama signee Jordan Wakefield will return behind the Dish where he
will be joined by Freshman Austen Moody who will be a very capable back stop. This
addition will give Jordan an opportunity to get some time off during the season.
Last year Jorn caught 55 of 59 games.

Outfield- Billy Ray Todd-Daniel Hill-Dustin Dover-Josh Hansen-Grant Garlington
They will roam the outfield at First Tennessee Fields. All can play and all can hit
all five will be playing somewhere at the next level. We have been able to add depth
as well as arm strength to our OF.

Pitching- Just Showing up we have improved at this position and I am proud of what
our staff was able to do last year with the injuries and numbers we had including no
LHP's.
The addition of Coach Holt to our staff has had and awesome effect on our pitchers
work habits as well as their mechanics. These guys are looking forward to the 08
season with renewed confidence in their abilities.
 

Schedule Highlights-Open up: FEB 1-2-3 at LSU Eunice (2006 DII Junior College Champion)
@Okaloosa Walton  FEB 8-9-10 Shelton State-Cleveland State-Okaloosa Walton Playing
in our New home First Tennessee Fields and their awesome facility- indoor
concessions and restrooms- Bullpens and equipment and playing surface that will much
improved.

Key to success in '08 - We know and everyone else knows for us to be competitive we
must be 100% improved on the hill. I think we have the ability to be much improved
in this area. We will be successful if we can show a great confidence in our
abilitie as well as our team! Win or Lose we just hope we can be competitive!
Volunteer State
probable starters:

Pos.  Name                Hit/Throw     Class
C-  Chase Patrick          L/R           SO
1b-  Zach Hendren          R/R           SO
2b-  Kevin Nelson          S/R           SO
SS-  Michael Duckworth     R/R           FR
3b-  Bo Cook               L/R           SO
LF-  John Jones            R/R           SO
CF-  Jesse Bowman          R/R           SO
RF-  Bart White            R/R           SO
DH- Brett Grizzard/Josh Garton  L/R L/R   FR FR

Weekend Rotation
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
1Matt Costello           LH       SO
2Spencer Nelson          RH       SO
3Hayden Shrum            RH       SO
Closer Ben Crocker       RH       FR

Weekday Starters
#  Name               RH/LH  Class
1Eric Gilley           RH      FR
2Ryan Branscum         RH      SO
3Zach Murphy           RH      FR

Any other pitchers who will help- Stuart Dill, Justin Houk, Jordan Smith, Mike Blume 



Preview:

2007 W -   L-    
Starters returning :  Position players:    Pitchers:

Outlook by position:

Infield -We feel that we are much improved in this area this year.  This will be the
key to our season once again.  If we can make the routine plays on the infield we
will have the opportunity to win.

Catching-We are untested behind the plate.  Chase Patrick will start behind the
plate and he will be pushed by a very talented Freshman Jason Payne. 

Outfield-We are very experienced in the outfield this year and will start three Soph
out there.  These guys will be pushed by some very athletic and talented Freshman.

Pitching-This could be the deepest staff that we've had in a long time.  We will
start three Soph on the weekend.  The key to our pitching staff will be our starters
going deeper in to ball games than our starters did last year.

Schedule Highlights-Confernce Schedule and Northwest Shoals, Calhoun and Wallace
State as well as Joliet College who finished Runner-up in the DIII World series last
year.

Key to success in '08- Defense and focus.  This team is pretty good when we are
focused on the task at hand. 
 
Walters State
probable starters:

Pos.  Name                            Hit/Throw     Class
C- Dylan Pratt/Jesse Wierzbicki           R/R        FR
1b-Adam Stooksberry/Kyle Koeneman         R/R       SO/FR
2b-Nick Langley/Jon Dalton                L/R,R/R   SO/FR
SS-Alex McClure                           S/R        FR
3b-Cody Hawn                              L/R        FR
LF- Will Skinner/Pratt                    R/R        FR
CF- Adam Milligan                         L/R        SO
RF- Chad Hunter                           R/R        FR
DH- Koeneman/Dalton                       R/R        FR              

Weekend Rotation
#   Name                RH/LH   Class
1 David Francis         RH       SO
2 Nick Fuller           RH       SO
3 Chad Bell             LH       FR
Closer Coty Woods       RH       SO

Weekday Starters
#  Name               RH/LH  Class
1 Jack Snodgrass      LH      SO
2 Adam Ray            RH      SO
3 Ben Walker          LH      SO
4 Spencer Clifft  RH      FR
Any other pitchers who will help-
Austin Bridgewater  RH  FR
Mark Allen Bounds   RH  FR
Derek Marshall      RH  SO
Tyler Farley        RH  FR

Preview:

2007 W - 43   L- 11   
Starters returning :  Position players:3    Pitchers:2

Outlook by position:

Infield - Our infield has a chance to be pretty strong, especially on the left side
with McClure and Hawn. The right side should be solid as well with Langly returning
at 2nd base and Stooksberry playing his natural position of 1st base after catching
last season.

Catching - Both catchers, Pratt and Wierzbicki, will catch a significant amount of
time this season. Both do a fine job of handling our pitching staff and have the arm
strength to control opponents running games.

Outfield- Our OF can be very strong with Adam Milligan returning in CF and the
additions of Will Skinner and Chad Hunter. Each of those freshmen do a tremendous
job defensively and provide some punch offensively as well. Logan Bowers and Austin
Bridgewater give us some depth out there as well. 

Pitching- We need our pitching to be much improved over last season, as you are only
as good as your pitching. We feel they have the ability to do that. With 3 former
draft picks in David Francis, Nick Fuller, and Chad Bell, we feel we have 3 pretty
good ones to run out on the weekends. And sophomores Jack Snodgrass, Adam Ray, and
Ben Walker will give us quality innings as well as midweek starts. Freshmen Spencer
Clifft, Austin Bridgewater and Mark Allen Bounds continue to improve and will be
relied on in important roles as well. Closer Coty Woods must continue to improve and
become more consistent but has the ability to do so.

Schedule Highlights-
Feb 9-10: Travel to Chipola to face defending National Champs Chipola, 2003 National
Champs Southern Nevada, and St. Petersburgh CC.
Feb 19: Host 3rd ranked Spartanburg Methodist in doubleheader.
Plus every weekend in the TJCCAA is a highlight. Every weekend is a dogfight in this
league.