2005 University of the Cumberlands Baseball Season Preview

Cumberlands finished the 2004 campaign (45-11) with Mid-South Conference Season and Tournament Championships, but also had two disappointing losses in the Region XI Tournament. With that in mind, the returning players and a strong recruiting class have their goals set on a trip to Idaho for the 2005 NAIA World Series.

Pitchers

The ’05 pitching staff is deep and experienced. The Patriots return 19 wins and 11 saves from a year ago. Six seniors and four juniors will log innings on the mound.

Returnees Isaiah Ruffner (7-2) and Josh Blanton (3-0) will anchor the staff. Newcomers Adam Walker (Clemson), Jordan Gaietto (Miami Hamilton (OH)), and Justin Carr (Freed-Hardeman) have shown that they can all be dominant starters in the Mid-South Conference.

Seniors Todd Hawkins (5-3 13 appearances) and Jake Shaver (10 saves 17 appearances) will be two of the top relief pitchers in the NAIA.

Lefthander Tyler Peurach returns as the team’s left handed relief specialist and submariner Tim Thoreson (2-0 1.40) had a solid fall season.

Senior outfielders Derek Christerson and Roman Cox will also see time on the mound. Both have mid to high 80’s fastballs with good stuff. Freshmen Patrick Miller, Justin Stewart, and lefty Brooks Morgan will also contribute.

Outfield

The outfield returns its top four from 2004. Mid-South Player of the Year, Roman Cox (.395-6-44) will be in left. Two time First Team All MSC centerfielder Derek Christerson (.369-1-36) and Second Team All MSC Chris Wood also return. Mid-South Tournament hero Aaron Ellis (.317-3-12) is again healthy and looks to have a great senior year.

Redshirt sophomore Daniel Guttridge returns after missing 2004 because of elbow surgery. An honorable mention All-Conference selection as a freshman in 2003, Guttridge hit .314 with 14 stolen bases.

Freshmen Justin Stewart and Ty Smallwood have played well in fall workouts as well.

Infield

The Patriot infield will have a different look this year. At first base, sophomore Victor Woolridge had a tremendous fall hitting over .400, while left handed junior Tommy Guinn provides excellent defense. Freshmen Mike Dooley and Justin Stewart also have bright futures with the Patriots.

The Patriots have four quality middle infielders in senior Matt Mikolajczyk (.333-1-10), junior college transfer Adam Garrett (Odessa JC), freshman Tyler Sibley, and freshman Drew Fahey. All four have good speed and solid defensive actions with strong arms.

At third base junior transfer B.J Foley (Tampa) brings a middle of the lineup bat from the left side, and sophomore Joe Hager is a tough defender with the best arm on the infield. Freshman Chaz Gentry may be the most versatile player on the team. He can pitch, play third and first, or catch. It will be tough to keep his bat out of the lineup.

Catchers

The Patriots may have the strongest catching corps in the country. Junior Chris Cartas (.336-3-46, 2nd team All MSC) can catch, play first, or DH. Sophomore Drew Bridewell (.337-0-13, 2nd Team All MSC) was the best defensive catcher in the MSC as a freshmen.

Sophomore Matt Miller (.351-1-8) has the potential to be a top power hitter. Freshmen Scott Scudder has a tremendous arm and is a very good hitter.

The Outlook

Brad Shelton enters his fourth year at Cumberlands with high hopes. 16 contributors return from the 2004 Mid-South Conference Championship Team that was 45-11.

Shelton commented, “Our offense and pitching are our strengths. We must improve defensively. Last year’s team was ranked in the top 20 nationally in team defense. This team must improve defensively in the off-season. We have the ability we must improve our consistency. Our young guys must learn to ‘play the next pitch’. We must make all the routine plays and most of the tough ones.

We swing the bats well, have some speed, and our pitching is deep. We have experienced returnees and talented newcomers. It will be fun to watch this team come together.”

The Schedule

The 2005 schedule is much tougher than it was in 2004. Top 25 NAIA teams Tennessee Wesleyan, Spalding, Rio Grande, Union, and North Georgia are on the schedule as well as NCAA Division I, Belmont University. “To prepare for our league and regional play, we must play strong competition. Our veteran team won’t be intimidated by the schedule. Our league is strong, but our non-conference schedule will help us when the postseason arrives,” said Shelton.