Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Â鶹ÊÓƵ currently has a streak of 28 straight seasons with a winning baseball record. After a season slowed by injuries last year, Â鶹ÊÓƵ 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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ has plenty of experience and each of the nine players will have a key roll on this season’s squad. Three of the seniors are in their fourth year with the Â鶹ÊÓƵ 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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ 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’s most dependable pitchers. Ben Ayris has also been a starter pitcher for Â鶹ÊÓƵ for four seasons. He has improved over his career to give Â鶹ÊÓƵ 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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Cody Willoughby returns as a starting outfielder for Â鶹ÊÓƵ. 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’s 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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ 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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ. 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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s three conference starters. Danny Alberty proved his value in the fall with his hard work and fearless attitude that will make him Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s main reliever on the weekends.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ boasts three sophomores on this year’s squad, all of which are newcomers to the program. Andrew Hansen will start the season as Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s 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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ 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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ. He has a good arm out of the bullpen and will get RBI opportunities late in games. Yogi Vanaman will start the season as Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s 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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ offensively and defensively as he continues to improve. Matt Carter will be the third conference starter for Â鶹ÊÓƵ with Abram and Harken. He has great stuff and will complete a very deep weekend rotation for Â鶹ÊÓƵ, 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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s 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.