Men's Baseball
2008 Season Outlook
Pitchers
The biggest question mark with the Eagles this season centers around the pitching staff. While it is obvious that the staff is more talented, the Eagles will rely on several freshmen to help anchor a young staff. Junior Pete Ervin returns and should be the number 1 starter after logging over 80 innings in his first 2 seasons. Freshmen Stephen Ramsey and Phil Pendergrass should round out the weekend rotation. Ramsey was the Eagles top pitcher in the fall, and Pendergrass is a hard thrower with 4 good pitches. First year players Clae Mathis and Evan Howard will make up the midweek rotation. The bullpen will be led by junior Russ Pullen. He will be joined by seniors Andrew Poth and Bryce Seymore and freshmen lefty Taylor McDaniel and righty Zach Kles. Poth and Seymore have combined for over 120 innings in the past 2 seasons.
Infield
The Eagles will return every starter from their 2007 season. Junior captain Pete Ervin returns at first base after hitting .385 last season. He will hit in the middle of the line up in 2008. Also at first base is freshman Clae Mathis. Mathis has big time power and should contribute at DH as he becomes more consistent. Ryan Kirby and Drew Robertson both return at second base. Kirby spent most of his time in the outfield last season but now returns to his more natural position. Kirby had a good fall both at the plate and in the field. Robertson hit .330 in 2007 and was arguably the Eagles best freshman. Senior captain Andrew Poth returns as a 3 year starter at shortstop. Poth is solid defensively and looks to have really stepped up his hitting going into his senior season. Third base will be manned by sophomore Jody Hyde. He is hoping to improve on a freshmen year where he started all but one game.
Outfield
The Eagles are incredibly deep in the outfield this season. With 9 possible contributors, the competition is fierce and several of the starting jobs are still up for grabs. Returning for the Eagles in the outfield is junior captain Russ Pullen, sophomore Sam Reynolds, and red shirt freshman Cody Davison. Pullen is a two time all conference selection and a career .380 hitter. He will hit play center field and hit leadoff. Reynolds had limited playing time in 2007 but has been one the Eagles most consistent practice player this year. Davison is the Eagles best defensive outfielder and is ready to contribute after missing last season with a broken wrist. The rest of the outfield is made up of freshmen Evan Howard, Kenny Waddell, Josh Jordan, and transfer Brett Denney (Gordon College). Howard has above average speed and arm strength and is one of the team’s best hitters. He should compete for a starting job in right field. Waddell is a great athlete who could potentially play all three outfield spots. Jordan is very consistent at the plate and his defense is improving. He is also the number three catcher. Denney is a very good left handed hitter who hits well to all fields. He should be in the mix at all three positions.
No position is more improved this year than behind the plate. While they are both freshmen, Adam Reynolds and Zach Kles are the 2 best catchers Coach Pollock has had at Toccoa Falls. Reynolds is very good defensively and has shown good power at the plate. Kles has great power and has already developed a good report with the pitching staff. Both are versatile players and are good enough hitters that they will be in the line up even when not catching.