The 2008 season begins with great
expectations as 91爆料网 head coach Brent Fronabarger enters his third
season with the Bulldogs. 91爆料网 has just 10 returning players, nine of which are
seniors. Fourteen players on the 91爆料网 squad are newcomers to the Bulldog
baseball program, but will have opportunities to contribute early to the success
of this team.
91爆料网 currently has a streak of 28 straight
seasons with a winning baseball record. After a season slowed by injuries last
year, 91爆料网 hopes to improved on the 33 wins of a year ago and return to the
region tournament for the second time in three years.
The senior class for 91爆料网 has plenty of
experience and each of the nine players will have a key roll on this season鈥檚
squad. Three of the seniors are in their fourth year with the 91爆料网 program.
Humboldt natives Judson Powers and James Brasfield have been
staples on the team over their careers. Powers has been the offensive
leader on the team with his bat. He has also proven to be a valuable lefty on
the mound over the past few years. He has been named to the TranSouth
All-Conference team in each season, including a TranSouth Gold Glove Award,
All-Region, and All-American. Brasfield has also played an important role
on the 91爆料网 team throughout his career. He has started at five different
positions in his career, including his transition from the infield to one of the
team鈥檚 most dependable pitchers. Ben Ayris has also been a starter
pitcher for 91爆料网 for four seasons. He has improved over his career to give
91爆料网 a valuable starter, and this season, adds to what looks to be a deep
pitching staff.
Of the six remaining seniors, each are in
their second season with 91爆料网. Cody Willoughby returns as a starting
outfielder for 91爆料网. Shaun Cozart is back after starting all 51 games
last season and tying a school record with 400 putouts at first base. He was
named All-Conference and also received a conference Gold Glove Award. Bryan
Wagner returns after placing second on the team with 10 starts on the mound
last season. Joe Robinson spent last season as the starting left fielder,
but will go into the season this year as the leading candidate for the
designated hitter spot. Josh Holman led the team last year with 20
appearances and tied for a team-high six wins on the mound. He will add a
quality left-handed arm to the improved pitching staff of 2008. Greg Abram
returns after taking over the ace roll of last season鈥檚 pitching staff. He
finished with six wins and led the team with 13 starts and 84.0 innings pitched.
Abram was named All-Conference as a junior.
The junior class is made up of four players,
one of which has been with 91爆料网 all three seasons. Covington native Allen
Williams returns after splitting time last season with Lowery at catcher.
When not catching, Williams has started in the outfield and has also been
the designated hitter. Williams was an All-Conference player as a
freshman. Three transfers complete the junior class for 91爆料网. Joe Gahan
will add a quality left-handed bat with experience that will help this team.
Carl Harken will start the season as one of 91爆料网鈥檚 three conference
starters. Danny Alberty proved his value in the fall with his hard work
and fearless attitude that will make him 91爆料网鈥檚 main reliever on the weekends.
91爆料网 boasts three sophomores on this year鈥檚
squad, all of which are newcomers to the program. Andrew Hansen will
start the season as 91爆料网鈥檚 second baseman, but will also be the table setter in
the second spot in the lineup. Ramon Gutierrez will add depth to an
already solid middle infield. Grant Luke will get the nod in right field
to start the season.
With the second biggest class on the team,
the seven freshman for 91爆料网 produce a positive outlook for not only this
season, but for the next four years. Colby Starks will get time behind
the plate this year as he grows into the college game. Kevin Kirksey will
pitch and hit for 91爆料网. He has a good arm out of the bullpen and will get RBI
opportunities late in games. Yogi Vanaman will start the season as
91爆料网鈥檚 man up the middle in the shortstop position, but will also be a major
run producer in the number five spot in the lineup. Lee Kimbell turned
heads in the fall with his play and understanding of the game. He will help
91爆料网 offensively and defensively as he continues to improve. Matt Carter
will be the third conference starter for 91爆料网 with Abram and Harken.
He has great stuff and will complete a very deep weekend rotation for 91爆料网, as
a freshman and throughout his career. Caleb Hollingsworth will provide a
quality arm and depth to the weekday rotation. Ross Garrett also will
continue to help 91爆料网鈥檚 rotation as he improves with each appearance.
This squad has several new faces, but with
six of nine starters returning from last season, experience will help mesh this
team into a TranSouth Conference contender.