BLUE HOSE BASEBALL AT
CRITICAL TURNING POINT AS 2007 SEASON BEGINS
The Blue Hose return five players who played in more than 45 games in 2006. Still a very young team overall, PC will count on a strong freshman class, an experienced pitching staff and the addition of key transfers for success in the 2007 campaign.
Infield
New faces will occupy the third base and shortstop positions for the Blue Hose this season. Slated to start the season at third base is junior transfer Bobby Holmes. Holmes transfers to Presbyterian College from VCU. During the fall he displayed exceptional range at the third base position. At the plate, Bobby possesses quick hands and will be counted on to hit in the middle of the order. The shortstop duties this season will be handled by junior transfer Jared Combs. Combs is a 6-foot-4 sure-handed defender who transfers to the Blue Hose from Armstrong Atlantic State University. The second base position will be handled by senior John Berrian. Berrian has the ability to play shortstop as well, having started 10 times there during the 2006 campaign before an ankle injury shortened his season. The most experienced player in the Blue Hose infield will be junior Russell Robinson. Robinson is a former All-SAC Tournament performer who received the SAC Coaches Gold Glove Award in 2006. Robinson is a career .300 hitter and will be counted on heavily for his leadership and productive bat this season. The catching duties will be handled by senior team captain Kemper Booth and junior team captain William Bolchoz. The following players should also vie for playing time in the infield: Robert Anders, Josh Milner, Preston Simpson, Zach Wilson and Dane Fehr.
Outfield
The outfield is led by sophomore sensation Cory Lyda, who will make the transition from left field to center field this season. Lyda made the all-league team in 2006 as a second team outfielder and was also voted team MVP by his teammates. In right field will be junior team captain Kyle Craven. Craven led the Blue Hose in batting average, triples and total bases in 2006. The fastest player on the Blue Hose roster, junior Casey Carlson will round out the outfield in left field. Carlson batted .302 with two homers in 2006. Also looking to see time in the outfield this season are freshmen Jesse Harmon and Travis McConnell.
Pitching
Once again consistency will be the main concern for the coaching staff as the Blue Hose take the mound in 2007. At the conclusion of the fall, the following pitchers emerged as potential starters for the Blue Hose: junior Eric Tatum, sophomore Daniel Hill, redshirt sophomore and UGA transfer Mitchell Odom, freshman Jesse Harmon, and redshirt sophomore Jim Wagers. The long relief duties this season will be handled by a mix of veterans and newcomers; junior Andrew Cockerham, junior Steven Henry, freshman Zach Snipes and sophomore Parker Suit. In the short reliever role and closer roles will be senior Ross Ellis and junior Ben Dollar, respectively. Also vying for playing time on the mound will be freshmen Travis McConnell and Micah Black. If healthy, freshman Joe Hammond and junior Rob McEwen should also see time on the hill this spring for the Blue Hose.