The Presbyterian College baseball team will begin its second season in the midst of transitioning to the Division I level in 2009. The Blue Hose embark on their journey to full Division I status after coming off a 13-40 season in 2008. Head coach Elton Pollock's team was just a play or two away in multiple games last season ? and could have easily won over 20 games.
This season, PC brings back a solid core to the foundation it had from a year ago, and has added a multitude of newcomers. Together, the squad could very well put together as sensational a season as Pollock envisions the team could have if they can get off to a quick start.
In every game Pollock expects his team to score early and often. Should the Blue Hose put together a solid offensive front in the early innings, the standout defense that is behind any of the pitchers he has on the mound should limit the opposition's opportunities, ensuring victories for PC.
When Pollock's team takes the lead, he expects the team to continue throwing strikes, forcing the other teams to make contact. That would allow his squad to make plays on defense. Combining the solid defense with potentially five to six guys that could hit at least .300 while others who can hit the ball out of the park, the firepower that PC needs to win the game could come from a number of different student-athletes over the course of the season. This year's team has more players who can get things done than in any of the recent seasons.
PITCHERS
The Blue Hose have a contingent of sure-fired student-athletes that will take the mound this season. Leading the way for PC is junior Jesse Harmon, who has seen action 30 times over the course of the last two seasons on the mound. A year ago, Harmon started nine times and threw 51.1 innings.
Junior Chris Powell finds himself as the No. 2 starter. A transfer from Louisburg College, Powell gained a lot of experience and brings an array of pitches to the staff.
Third-year student-athletes Micah Black and Joe Hammond are vying for the third starting spot on the weekend rotation. Each brings a tremendous work ethic to the team and both could start at various times. Hammond threw well a year ago, tossing 39.2 innings on the year. In addition to his role as a starter, Hammond could be called upon as a reliever and to provide a wealth of leadership and experience to the younger guys on the pitching staff.
Newcomer Will Freeman, who hails from nearby Columbia, S.C., also has the ability to start and could see plenty of innings of work in a starter or reliever role.
Redshirt-senior Mitchell Odom threw 56 innings a year ago, appearing in 19 games. The University of Georgia transfer has been productive since arriving from Athens, Ga., and will get the ball most of the time in the middle to late innings, coming from the bullpen.
Senior Daniel Hill has been a solid influence on the team and has been instrumental on the hill. A true team player, Hill has seen time playing defense and pitching since his arrival, but has concentrated more on his pitching since his sophomore year. Hill is currently slated as a mid-week starter for the Blue Hose.
Out of the bullpen, Pollock will have multiple choices depending on the situation at hand. Freshman Stewart Curry could potentially be a starter or a closer. He has a good arm angle and did not give up an earned run in the fall season. Andrew Foushee brings a unique arm slot to the rotation. His pitches also have lots of movement, allowing him to throw off opposing batters.
Rookies Matt Nodelman, Jordan Pace, and Tim Corbin, in addition to Chis Hale and Garrett Moore will all see time on the mound in 2009.
CATCHER
Sophomore Drew Wingo carried the brunt of the catching duties during his rookie campaign, and did an exceptional job. One of the best catchers to ever come through the Presbyterian College baseball program, Wingo has an above average arm with the uncanny ability to throw runners out.
“Drew controls the running game extremely well,” Pollock said. “He can throw behind runners and he will hit in the middle order of our line-up. Drew has an outstanding approach at the plate and has the ability to drive ball to the gaps.”
Fellow sophomore Nate Horton has good pop to his stick. A left-handed hitter, Horton saw success early on a season ago and will continue to make adjustments to the collegiate game. He will see plenty of innings as he is a good “catch and throw” catcher.
Senior Dane Fehr is a solid contact hitter and will see playing time. Rookie Tony Micklon has power potential and could immediately vie for the back-up spot. Micklon could also be in the line-up as the designated hitter with his approach at the plate.
INFIELD
The cornerstones of the infield group are Jared Combs and Zac Rhinesmith. Combs, who is the starter at third base and will also see action at first, has tremendous power potential and could find himself batting clean-up. A year ago, Combs led the squad with seven round-trippers and 36 RBI.
Rhinesmith is the starting second baseman for the Blue Hose. He has tremendous hands and excels at turning the double play. With a great approach at the plate, Rhinesmith projects to bat somewhere near the top of the order this season.
Rookie Gabe Grammar brings a spectacular arm to the program and will see innings at a number of different positions for the Blue Hose this season. When he's not in the line-up as a position player, Grammar will double on the mound. His assets on the mound include 90+ MPH fastball and an above average slider.
Junior Jeff Tatum is good defensively and has great footwork. He is a contact and execution type hitter that will see time in the line-up.
Newcomers Kenny Bryant and Caleb Brazell will each vie for the starting spot at first base. Bryant, who is left-handed, has great hands and is solid defensively. He has unlimited power potential and has plenty of growth potential.
Brazell also has power potential and will develop consistency with playing time.
Another first-year student-athlete that will see time is Andrew Williams. Williams put forth a tremendous performance in the fall and has good range with excellent body control. He is currently the frontrunner for the starting nod at shortstop.
OUTFIELD
Senior Cory Lyda is the catalyst to the entire team. A three-year starter, Lyda and the staff each carry high expectations of him during his senior season. Under the tutelage of former Blue Hose Team Captain William Bolchoz, Lyda has developed into a tremendous leader on and off the field. Along with the other seniors, he has instilled an outstanding work ethic in the program. Not only has he been successful on the field, but he has also helped encourage the freshmen and give them confidence that they can compete at the Division I level.
Harmon, when not pitching, will be penciled in as the starting right fielder. He is a power threat who can drive the ball to the gaps with the speed to turn doubles into triples.
Newcomer Aaron Preston has tremendous power potential, but consistency and how quickly he can make adjustments are the keys to his success. A year ago, he helped lead his legion team to the state tournament.
Aforementioned freshmen Kenny Bryant and Gabe Grammer will also see time in the outfield.
Backing up Lyda is JJ Elseser. A student-athlete that is a great contact and execution hitter, he has the fastest first step on the team. In addition to being the strongest player on the team, Elseser is a switch hitter than gives 100 percent on everything he does.
In left field, sophomore Mack Hite brings some game experience and has been an exception addition to the program. Hite, whose brother Tombo Hite played for PC, will make a case for plenty of playing time. He will be called on in various capacities in and throughout the season.
Another solid addition to the outfield depth is rookie left-hander Bobby Cole.
SCHEDULE
The coaching staff has broken down the slate into the preseason, pre-conference schedule and Big South Conference play. This year's schedule is no different from past slates, where the pre-conference competition is extremely tough.
The Blue Hose will face the likes of Georgia Southern, Georgia and UAB. A year ago, the series between UAB and PC was well played by Pollock's squad. This season, the Blue Hose will once again look to be in every single game while picking up even more wins.
“When we broke down each game last season, we noticed the small victories within the game; innings and portions of the game where we outscored our opponents,” Pollock said. “We have to capitalize and learn to play baseball for nine complete innings in order to be successful this season.”
In the Big South, PC opens will conference newcomer Gardner-Webb. Should the team continue to play sound defense and stay in the right position, PC should be able to do better than last season. One of the keys is to swing the bat early in the game in order to not have to play from behind.
The Blue Hose have a tough schedule, but with the team it has, the squad should carry a lot of confidence into the season. If the team sticks to the game plan each and every time out, PC's second Division I season will be its best yet.
