Sports

CofC Baseball Primed for Season

Strong pitching staff leads College of Charleston into 2012 campaign.

This update is provided by College of Charleston Athletics Communications.

Following a 2011 season that ended prematurely in the Southern Conference Tournament semifinals, the 2012 College of Charleston baseball team is motivated to return to the NCAA Postseason.

The Cougars open their season on Friday in Mobile, Ala. They return to Mount Pleasant on Feb. 24 for the two-day Cougar Invitational.

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The Cougars return several key members from last years’ 39-22 squad, including the entire starting pitching staff and the NCBWA Freshman of the Year in Daniel Aldrich. The Cougars also welcome a stellar recruiting class of transfers and freshmen that ranked 35th in the nation according to Collegiate Baseball newspaper.

Watch a video preview of the season.

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College of Charleston was picked 25th in the College Baseball Lineup preseason poll and 32nd in the poll from Collegiate Baseball. The Cougars were also selected tops in the conference by the league’s coaches in the 2012 SoCon Preaseason Coaches Poll. Aldrich and junior hurler Christian Powell were named to the Preseason All-SoCon First Team, while seniors Marty Gantt and Josh Renfro made the second team.

While the Cougars will have to replace everyday starters in the infield and the hitting production of stars Matt Leeds and Rob Kral, both drafted to the minor leagues, the focus will be on the veteran pitching staff and limiting big innings from opponents.

“This is the most talented and experienced pitching staff that we’ve had here in my four years,” said head coach Monte Lee. “Any time you can return two weekend starters who were All-Conference pitchers the year before in Renfro and Powell, you’re going to have confidence in your staff. Those two guys have a lot of experience, and then David Peterson, who has even more experience, is back for his senior year after being drafted by the Astros. We feel like we have a really talented pitching staff and that’s what we’re going to base most of our decisions around.”

PITCHING

The Cougars will go with Renfro, Powell and junior Jake Zokan in the weekend rotation. The trio combined for a record of 21-6 in 2011, and all three posted ERAs under 3.66. Zokan averaged over a strikeout per inning pitched last season while seeing starts in the middle of the week. He will move to the Sunday starting spot, while last year’s third starter David Peterson moves to the bullpen in a new closer role. A three-year starter who was drafted last June, Peterson ranks in the Top 10 in school history in starts, wins and strikeouts. Peterson will join with last year’s closer Kyle Owings, senior Nick Osterman and junior Dre Watts as relievers aiming to shut down opponents in the late innings.

This year’s midweek starters will include senior Ryan West, junior Griffin Jones and junior Matt Pegler. Pegler made 21 appearances last season and posted a 4.30 ERA.

INFIELD

Cougar fans will see some new faces in the infield this season after the departures of Leeds, Jamie Holler and Jesse Mesa. Senior Rob Harding returns after making 37 starts in 2011, hitting .289 with 15 RBIs. Harding could see action at second and third base. At shortstop, the Cougars will look to junior-college transfer Bradley Goodson who comes to CofC from Central Florida Community College where he earned All-Conference honors. Goodson brings considerable athleticism and a strong arm to the middle of the infield. A transfer from Spartanburg Methodist where he was an All-Region honoree, junior Tyler Jackson will take over at first base as a strong bat for the middle of the lineup.

Sophomore Brandon Glazer will be in competition for playing time at third base, after playing in nine games last season. True freshmen Gunnar Heidt and Devon Reed will compete for playing time in the infield as athletic and quick young talents that will bring a large contribution this season and into the future.

OUTFIELD

College of Charleston’s outfield will not see a drop-off in veteran leadership or talent as senior Marty Gantt moves to center field permanently. A preseason All-Conference selection, Gantt played in the outfield and at first base last season as an everyday starter. He averaged .329 and made 44 RBIs while leading the team with 25 steals. His speed and ability to get on base will make him a dangerous leadoff hitter for opposing pitchers. Redshirt-sophomore Daniel Aldrich returns to right field after a breakout freshman season that saw him win National Freshman of the Year honors and multiple All-America nods. Aldrich hit .347 with 22 home runs and 73 RBI for a slugging percentage of .739. He enters the season as a Collegiate Baseball Preseason First Team All-American.

In left field, sophomore Brandon Murray will become a regular starter after seeing the field at the end of last year. A rangy fielder with a strong bat, Murray hit .290 last season and has put together a solid fall and spring campaign. Reed will also factor in as a player that can see both infield and outfield action.

CATCHERS

After losing Kral to the draft and Robert Pritcher to graduation, the Cougars will look to sophomore Jimmy Holton and junior-college transfer Ryan Welke for stability behind the plate. Holton made 18 starts last season, tallying 21 assists and a .987 fielding percentage. Welke comes in as a strong, powerful bat and arm that will mix things up behind the plate and in the batting lineup. Freshman Davis Richardson provides depth at catcher.

“We have a lot of young guys on this team, but they have a lot of energy and they’re excited to be here,” Lee said. “They’re a talented group too. I’m not too worried about them making the adjustment. I expect a lot of the younger guys to make big contributions this year.”

The Cougars open the season with a weekend series at South Alabama starting on Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The CofC home opener will come on Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. against Rhode Island as a part of the Cougar Invitational. Season and individual game tickets are available by calling 843-953-COFC.


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