The 2005 season for the Â鶹ÊÓƵ University Bulldogs is one of the
most promising in recent history. The Bulldogs combine a returning core to a
very impressive recruiting class. Â鶹ÊÓƵ is returning three infield starters, two
outfield starters, and a catcher that was in the lineup everyday as a catcher or
in someother position. In addition to those returning starters, Head Coach Andy
Rushing and Assistant Coach Brent Fronabarger have added a group of players that
will earn starting time immediately including eight new position players to go
along with six new pitchers. A few key injuries to starters Jason Johnson and
Zach Lowery will cause Â鶹ÊÓƵ to have to pull from the new talent until these
return to the lineup shortly after the season begins. As always, Â鶹ÊÓƵ is
striving to advance deep into the NAIA postseason. Â鶹ÊÓƵ missed the postseason
last year, but have reloaded and are eager to erase the dissapointment of last
season with a very successful 2005.
Taking a look at the pitching staff, Clint Arthur returns
as a weekend starter. He has an impressive freshman campaign last season and
looks to improve on that in 2005. Adam Yates returns after red-shirting
last season to recover from surgery. Yates will also hold down a spot in the
weekend rotation. Matt Gibbs and Garrett Pepper return as spot
starters. Both has good seasons in 2004 and both will be called on to start
during the week and provide relief out of the pen on the weekends. John Mark
Walls returns to provide relief out of the pen. The list of pitchers new to
the 2005 roster is quite impressive, especially when you see that Â鶹ÊÓƵ has
added four pitchers that are 6-foot-5 or taller. Leading the list are transfers
Daniel Adams and Charlie Ligon with Adams filing the final spot in
the weekend rotation. The two other 6-foot-5 pitchers are transfer Brian Lea
and freshman Ben Ayris. Freshman Josh Moss and Tim Watson
will also help anchor a very deep bulpen for the Bulldogs. Freshman James
Brasfield and Judson Powers will both be everyday players, but will
also see time on the mound. This season’s pitching staff has several players
that could pitch on the weekends during conference play and will come in handy
during postseason tournament time.
The infield for Â鶹ÊÓƵ returns Josh Allen at first,
Seth Silcock at third and Steve Sweat will move from shortstop to
second base this season season. Zach Lowery, split time as catcher his
freshman season in 2004, will handle the catching duties upon his return form
his injury. Pepper, along with transfer Adam Green and freshman Elvis
Sosa will give backup to the catching position. Transfer Scott Patterson
will start at shortstop for the Bulldogs. Jeffery Jackson returns as a
valuable utility player that can play on the infield or in the outfield.
Transfer Aaron Braithwaile is another player that can play first,
outfield, or be the designated hitter. Freshman James Brasfield,
Andrew Maddox, and Steve Bredfeldt each turned heads this fall as
freshman and will be very valuable players on this deep Â鶹ÊÓƵ team.
In the outfield, two of the three starters from last season are
returning including seniors Patrick Williams in center and Jason
Johnson in right field. Johnson is injured to start the 2005 season but will
return during the year. Freshman Judson Powers will start in left field
for Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Players such as Braithwaile, Jackson, and Tyler Porter will
serve as replacements in the spot vacated by Johnson. Porter also serves as the
pinch/courtesy runner for the Bulldogs.