Experience and senior leadership will provide the foundation for the 2000 edition of the Colonel baseball team.  Seventeen lettermen return, six of which were position starters, as well as two conference starters on the mound who accounted for 17 of the team’s 35 victories last season.  In addition, a reliever who won five games and saved six last season returns.  The six starting position players accounted for 59 home runs of the team’s total of 97 in 1999.  Several of these players have started since their freshman year and have steadily progressed to the point that they know what they want and they know how to get it.

Naturally, expectations and hopes for the 2000 team are high.

The maturity, intensity, energy and enthusiasm displayed during the fall practice, individual skill work and strength training and conditioning are indicators that this team is focused and committed.

Pitching Staff

The pitching staff will be anchored by returning conference pitchers Corey Eagle and Chip Albright.  Eagle, a lefty, won eight games last season after a slow start and had an outstanding summer in the Valley Collegiate League.  In the fall practice, he was determined to show that he is a pitcher who can be depended on to compete and win conference games.  Albright, won nine games as a freshman.  He led the staff in ERA.  The third conference starter will be selected from candidates Scott Santa, a sophomore, and Spencer Boley, a sophomore, both right handers.  Left hander Keith Murnane, a J.C. transfer, is expected to make a significant contribution as middle relief, midweek starter or possible conference starting pitcher.  Pitchers expected to provide middle relief include senior left-hander Shane Billau and sophomore right-handers Nic Lively and Josh Thomas.  Lively showed considerable improvement in the fall program.  Honorable mention All-OVC Mike Martini, a senior left-hander, returns in the bullpen.  Martini had an outstanding 1999 season with six wins and five saves.  Senior right-hander, Jeff Sharp, can bolster the bullpen and will compete with a good fastball, slider and splitter.  This is an experienced staff, losing only Eric Bess to graduation.  Bess won seven games in 1999 and had 21 career victories.

First Base

First base is in capable hands with returning senior Lee Chapman, a preseason All-American.  Chapman was a 1999 NCAA All-South Regional selection based on his offensive statistics of .373 batting average, 20 home runs and 71 runs batted in.  Chapman is also an outstanding defensive first baseman who fielded .991 and an outstanding base runner who added 20 stolen bases.  Backing up Chapman this season will be J.R. Estes, an outstanding left-handed hitting prospect.  Estes is projected as the starter next season and will gain valuable experience this year.  He was a highly productive power hitter in high school.

Second Base

Adam Basil returns after three solid seasons at the plate, batting .314, .321 and .344 while hitting in the third spot in the line-up.  He has displayed power at the plate with home run totals of six, 11 and 12, and RBI totals of 36, 40 and 47.  After a season as the designated hitter, Basil will provide good middle infield defense and double play combination with shortstop Kiley Vaughn.

Third Base

Following his selection as the All-Conference shortstop for two seasons, Jason Sharp repeated on the All-OVC team in 1999 as the third baseman.  An outstanding athlete, he has all the tools to be an exceptional third baseman who can supply offensive power in the middle of the lineup.  He has put up impressive offensive numbers the past three seasons, including batting averages of .322, .346 and .371.  He was selected by teammates as one of the 2000 tri-captains.

Shortstop

Kiley Vaughn performed defensively as expected in ‘99 but was more productive offensively than anticipated.  Vaughn is already regarded as one of the  top defensive shortstops in Division I with excellent range and a quick throwing release.  He plays with good instincts and confidence.  Vaughn will be a productive offensive player as he is moved to the number two position in the batting order, where he will do a good job of executing offensively.

Utility Infielder

Robby Price, a freshman, and Chris Frailly, a sophomore, will provide depth in the infield.  Both are able to play all three infield positions.  Price has good hands and an outstanding arm.  He is a good contact, gap hitter who projects to be a solid player for the Colonels.  Frailly hits from the left side with surprising power, does a solid job defensively and strives to improve.  Playing time will be limited due to the experienced, quality infielders who start.   However, Price and Frailly will be able to perform well if needed.

Catchers

Sophomore Mike Schneider replaces All-OVC catcher Joe Smith who graduated.  In limited action last season, Mike hit .308 including a game winning double at Xavier.  Mike has a strong, accurate, quick release throw to second base and hits with occasional power.  He has a great desire to be a superior Division I catcher.  Tim Booghier, a red-shirt freshman, moves into the back-up role.  He has some potential at the plate with surprising power.  He is very durable and strong.  Tim has improved his receiving and needs to continue to work on  consistency in his throwing accuracy.  Ronnie Allen, a freshman who will also serve as a reserve at catcher, has a real love for the game and receives well with an adequate arm.  He understands what he needs to work on at the plate and works diligently to improve.
 

Left Field

Tom White returns after a productive offensive year in 1999 where  he hit  nine home runs and had 35 RBI’s.  White is a  tough out at the plate in clutch situations. He has become an excellent baserunner and has steadily improved defensively.  Aaron Williams is a solid contact hitter who can execute offensively.  He has a positive attitude, good work ethic and is a team-oriented player.  Williams, a sophomore, is expected to get some playing time.  Adam Crowder is a former infielder who will be moved to the outfield and should be able to make the transition.  Crowder runs and throws well enough to play in the outfield but his real asset is his bat.  He is able to drive the ball and projects to be an offensive force in the future.

Center Field

Brad Sizemore returns to patrol center field.  He has outstanding range and will be called upon to initiate the offense as the lead-off hitter.  Brad is an aggressive outfielder, hitter and baserunner who showed good leadership qualities in the fall.  Sizemore understands his role and the significance of his responsibilities and will accept the challenge.  Sophomore Jason Yount has the tools necessary to play center field.  He is very fast, has a good arm, covers a lot of ground and works hard.  He needs to develop as a  hitter to get some playing time.

Right Field

The most competitive situation in the fall was in right field.  Both Gabe Thomas and Mike Brown have outstanding skills.  They both run well, throw well and have power potential at the plate.  The one who is not selected to play right field will get an opportunity to DH.