The 2009 version of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ
University Bulldog baseball team will be full of new faces. Eight seniors left
the field in 2008, while two other starters will not be returning for the 2009
campaign.Â
Included in the players lost from
last season are three infield starters, two outfield starters, and two of the
three weekend starting pitchers. Also, four other senior hurlers who saw
valuable time on the mound graduated.Â
However, this team that Head
Coach Brent Fronabarger (fourth season as head coach at Â鶹ÊÓƵ) has assembled
to replace those players will be just as strong, if not stronger. He returns
eight players, including four seniors that will contribute to the success of the
squad. Helping reload the 2009 roster will be 17 new players.
A small group of four seniors
highlight the returning class, led by four-year starting catcher Allen
Williams (C/OF/Covington, Tenn./Covington HS). Williams is the only
four-year senior in the group. In addition to catching, Williams can
also play right field. Carl Harken (RHP/Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kirkwood CC)
also returns after a successful junior season as Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s number two weekend
starter. Harken, a 2008 All-Conference player, will be called on to
anchor the pitching rotation in 2009. Danny Alberty (RHP/Miami,
Fla./Jackson State CC) returns for a senior year after leading the team in
appearances (16) in 2008. Joe Gahan provides senior leadership and depth
in the outfield.
The junior class is the largest
of the four classes with nine players. However, only Grant Luke
(OF/Birmingham, Ala./Troy University) is a returning player from 2008. Luke
hit .308 last season while starting 40 games in left field. Eight junior
transfer to Â鶹ÊÓƵ in 2009 including Josh Jones (1B/OF/Gardendale,
Ala./Jackson State CC), Brad Davis (LHP/Newbern, Tenn./Dyersburg State
CC), Alex Turner (IF/Adamsville, Fla./Jackson State CC), David
Maristany (3B/Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Jackson State CC), Derek Blackwood
(OF/Medon, Tenn./Jackson State CC), Greg Harrington (RHP/Grand Rapids,
Mich./Lincoln Trail CC), Corey Rudolph (OF/1B/Memphis, Tenn./Southwest
Tennessee CC), and Bobby Stierwalt (2B/Woodbridge, Va./Virginia Tech
Univ.).
Three of the five sophomores on
the roster return to Â鶹ÊÓƵ after contributing as freshman. Colby Starks
(C/Murray, Ky./Calloway County HS) played in 32 games, with 27 starts, as a
freshman as a catcher or designated hitter. Kevin Kirksey
(RHP/1B/Gastonia, N.C./Ashbrook HS) played in 33 games, 24 starts, as a first
baseman, pitcher, and designated hitter. Ross Garrett (RHP/Parsons,
Tenn./Riverside HS) saw limited action, but looks to build on the hard work of
his freshman season. Two sophomores enter Â鶹ÊÓƵ for the first time this
season. Andrew Haley (LHP/Memphis, Tenn./Univ. of Memphis) and Dan
Beck (RHP/Middle Georgia CC) will help provide punch to the pitching staff.
The freshman class boasts the
second high player numbers with seven. Each of these freshmen enters the
program highly touted with high expectations. Wade Collins
(1B/3B/Cookeville, Tenn./Cookeville HS), Clint Barnes (OF/C/Bolivar,
Tenn./Bolivar Central HS), Danny Grimm (SS/Jackson, Tenn./University
School of Jackson), Cole McAdams (3B/Huntingdon, Tenn./Huntingdon HS),
Jackson Nichols (2B/Franklin, Tenn./Christ Presbyterian Academy), Cody
Dew (RHP, Halls, Tenn./Halls HS), and Jeremey Stack (RHP/Jackson,
Tenn./Madison Academic HS).
This team looks to improve on the
program last season that posted a third place finish in the TranSouth Regular
season standings, missing the region playoffs by mere percentage points. The
roster of filled with talented players that have valuable experience at the
college level. However, the roster also boasts numerous young players that will
find themselves in starting roles in 2009. |
