2006 University of the Cumberlands Baseball Season Preview

The 2006 Patriots are coming off of a solid 2005 campaign that saw the Patriots advance to the NAIA Region XI Championship game. The team finished the season with a 38-21 record and a MSC 2nd Place finish. After beginning 2005 with a slow start, the Patriots are looking forward to building on the momentum created by the deep tournament run.

Pitchers
The pitching staff is deep but loaded with newcomers. Returning All Mid South Conference pitcher Adam Walker (7-0) will again anchor the pitching staff. Newcomers Josh Cowan (SW Tennessee CC), John Silverman (Ohio St.), Justin Adams (Vincennes Univ.), and Chris Short (Lincoln Trail CC) make up a talented rotation. These newcomers all have valuable college experience under their belts. Redshirt freshman Adam Blakey had an excellent fall season and will make a push for a starting role.

Lefthanders Tyler Peurach and Brooks Morgan compiled 16 appearances in 2005 and will give us two strong lefties out of the bullpen. Junior College transfer Justin Roth (Polk CC) is another lefty that could contribute. Injuries and illness slowed his progress in the fall. Submariner Tim Thoreson logged 10 appearances and 19 innings in 2005. He and redshirt senior Justin Carr could see action as the team’s closers.

Junior College transfer Alan Wolanin (Cuyahoga CC) could also log valuable innings in 2006.

Outfield
The outfield retuns two All MSC Honorable Mention players in Daniel Guttridge and Chris Wood. Guttridge (.354, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 11 SB) will play centerfield and Wood (.309, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 14 SB) will play right. Junior college transfer Trevor Urbanick (Hiwassee JC) led the team in hitting in the fall and will play left field. Sophomore Ty Smallwood is coming off of knee surgery, but has really improved his strength. Freshman Ronnie Hawkins showed tremendous potential in fall workouts. He is a great runner with some power.

Infield
All Mid-South Conference second baseman B.J. Foley (.285, 11 Doubles, 33 RBI) and third baseman Chaz Gentry (.312 16 Doubles, 3 HR, 36 RBI) return, as well as strong-armed third baseman Joe Hager. Sophomore infielder David Roberts had a good fall offensively. Newcomer John Sullivan (WVU-Tech) is a tremendous shortstop and Jake Asher (Montgomery College-Germantown) can play second, short, and third. Asher hit .417 in the fall and will also see time on the mound. At first base, senior Chris Cartas, junior Victor Wooldridge and sophomore Michael Dooley are all in the mix. Cartas is one of the top hitters in the MSC, Wooldridge is a tremendous athlete, and Dooley is an excellent defender.

Catchers
The Patriots may have the strongest catching corps in the country. Sophomore Scott Scudder has worked very hard and improved greatly since last year. He had a great summer in the Clark Griffith Collegiate League where he competed against some of the top college players in the nation. For his Vienna Senators team he hit .351 with two homeruns and 13 RBI's while leading them to a CGBL regular season championship.

Freshman Robert Mills was the Las Vegas High School Player of the Year in 2005 and was first team All State in Nevada. He had a solid fall and his left handed stick will be very valuable. Senior Chris Cartas could also see time behind the plate. He had an excellent Region XI Tournament playing behind the plate.

The Outlook
Brad Shelton enters his fifth year at the Cumberlands with high hopes. Experienced veterans and talented newcomers make this team a contender.

Shelton said, “Our pitching is much deeper than in years past. Our defense is also stronger. We have more team speed than last year and I think we swing the bats well. We have experienced returnees and talented newcomers. It’ll be fun to watch this team come together.”

The Schedule
The 2006 schedule is tougher than it has been in the past. Top 25 NAIA teams Tennessee Wesleyan, Spalding, Union, and Cumberland University are on the schedule, as well as NCAA Division I, Belmont University. “To prepare for our league and regional play, we must play strong competition. Our veteran team won’t be intimidated by the schedule. Our league is very strong, but our non-conference schedule will help us when the postseason arrives,” commented Shelton.