COUGAR BASEBALL SET TO OPEN SEASON
The Cleveland State baseball team is scheduled to open up the 2015 season on the road at Roane State on Tuesday February 4. Cougars coach Mike Policastro likes the make - up of this year's squad as they prepare for a challenging 51 game schedule. "We have a really good blend of veteran players and first year guys." I think we have the ability to have a really sound pitching staff.
We will have a core groups of pitchers who were on the staff last year that bring experience and the ability to give us quality innings. The staff will be led by red-shirt sophomore Kegan Frederick (Western Carolina signee) who is coming off an impressive fall. Kegan will anchor a staff that will also feature starters sophomores Michael Dike (Columbus State signee) a hard throwing right-hander who transferred from ABAC, returnee Raunel Perez (Carson – Newman signee), talented freshman Jake Wyrick (Cleveland HS) and Drew Buckhault (Eastside HS Ga.).
With those vying for starting slots, the bullpen will feature sophomore Brandon Leonard as closer. A right -hander has a heavy fastball and a sharp curveball that can get a strikeout when needed. Rounding out the bullpen will be freshman right-handers Christian Amos (Soddy Daisy HS), Drew Korzybski (Kearns HS), Matt Henshaw (East Hamilton HS) red shirt freshman Colton Morgan and Ryan Mahaffey (Soddy Daisy HS) the only lefty coming out of the pen.
The everyday line-up will have experience up and down the line-up. The offense should be led by sophomore outfielder Jammer Strickland who hit .313 last year with 8 doubles and 15 stolen bases. Redshirt freshman first-baseman Caleb Longley, returns after sitting out last year due to a back injury, will settle in the middle of the line-up. A run producer Caleb has the ability to carry the offense. The middle of the field should be solid with sophomore shortstop Janson Roberson who hit .308 last year and played solid defense and Clay Hetland at second base who is a solid left handed hitter who hit .310 last year in limited time. Rounding out the infield will be redshirt third-baseman Chris Caffrey who is an outstanding defensive player and a solid hitter with gap power. Freshman shortstop Blake Thomas (Montgomery County KY), third baseman Austin Phillips (Irwin County GA), first-baseman Drew Curtis (Maryville HS) and Caden Ricketts (Soddy Daisy HS) round out the infield.
Completing the Cougar outfield will be returning sophomore Wright Hackett who hit .288 last season. Hackett, a tremendous defensive outfielder will play centerfield along with sophomore transfer Shelden Brogden who brings experience and success in the league. Redshirt freshman returners Connor Coakley and Hagen Wilkey provide depth and should see significant action this spring.
Handling the catching responsibilities will be returning sophomores Anthony Hunt and Cole Baxley. Both saw significant time last year and should be able to use that experience working with the pitching staff. Freshman Christian Burnett (McCallie HS) was recently moved back behind the plate to help with depth.
The Cougars schedule will be challenging as they compete in the competitive TCCAA as well as non-conference games with NJCAA powers Georgia Perimeter, Northwest Florida, and Vincennes University.
"We are all looking forward to the season and the challenges that it will bring," stated Cougar coach Mike Policastro. "We have had a positive spring training with many guys making progress and feel like we can continue to get better as the season progresses".
