2010 SEASON PREVIEW

By: Chris Due

The LCU Baseball program opens up their 2010 season Saturday at Northwood University. To preview the 2010 season, we had coach Nathan Blackwood sum up the make-up of the team by analyzing the positions and hurdles approaching.

The Rotation

In nearly the same scenario as last season, we head into the season with six guys competing for the three primary weekend rotation spots – Tanner Vickers, Tyler Rogers, Frank Corolla, Paul Gonzalez, Tristan Gaines and Hunter Scott. Tanner, who was the lone returning player in the rotation last season, is ironically the only returning player in this season’s rotation. The Lubbock native was the team’s ERA leader (2.79) in 2008 and he has a career pitching record of 19-5.

Infield

Last season’s infield returned just one everyday starter in the infield and it was first baseman Rob Learned. This season will have another overhaul in personnel, and the only returning player in the infield is at the opposite corner with third baseman Ross Blondin. He was an NAIA First Team All-American who produced 103 hits and 25 home runs. David Cruz is a Venezuelan transferring in from Seward County Community College (KS), who should serve as an everyday starter at shortstop. There will be competition on the right side of the diamond. At second base, we may see Richard Bohlken or Austin Stewart. Bohlken came to LCU last season, but he had to sit out a season because he comes with professional playing experience.

He was drafted in the 32nd round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Angels and spent a season with their rookie league affiliate. Stewart transfers to LCU from Chabot College (CA). At first base, Marc Gomez and Doug Kroll will vie for playing time. Gomez, a local product of Coronado High School, was injured last season. Kroll is a two-time JUCO All-American that spent last season with Oklahoma State. Christian Soberanes is a versatile defensive player that will also fill in at any infield position. Behind the dish we will see either Dan Neumann or Joe Staley. Neumann had some clutch hits in last season’s title clinching game at the NAIA World Series and batted .368 on the season. Staley transfers in from Stephen F. Austin and he was a 2007 Tampa Bay draft selection.

Outfield

If we can stay healthy, we could have one of the best defensive outfields that we’ve had in a long time. Each of the top guys battling for spots have good speed and

good arms. With such a large outfield area to cover, it’s important that we have a good outfield defense. We also have more depth in the outfield this year giving us many opportunities to use situational lineups as well as lategame defensive replacements. Kroll could slip out to left field if he is not used at first base or the start could be given to Reid Chenworth, who batted .400 last season at Phoenix College (AZ). Center field will belong to Rafael Thomas. Like Kroll, he comes to LCU from Oklahoma State. J.J. Muse or Austin Stewart will see time in right field. Muse hit .317 with 18 extra-base hits last season with the Chaps. Brett Kazmierski can fill in or start anywhere in the outfield. He hit .455 in a pinch-hit role last season.

Offensive Qualities

There are a lot of new faces on our offense with Blondin being the only everyday starter returning. Doug Kroll, Reid Chenworth, Joe Staley, and Neumann give us some good power options to join Blondin in the middle of the order. Good speed in Thomas, Stewart, Bohlken, Muse, and Kazmierski give us good options for the top

and bottom of the order. Gomez and Cruz are both good options for bat control positions in the lineup.

How to Build on Last Season’s Success

The national recognition has been good for this University and for this program, but we must understand that this is a new year. We have a new team made up of very talented individuals who are capable of great things, but it is important to understand that last year’s accomplishments and the preseason ratings mean nothing in reference to this season. We must build on the fact that we have very high expectations in this program, but each year’s success must be earned.

Changes at Hays Field

As always, we are continuously seeking improvements in our physical facilities and God has blessed us with very generous individuals over the past few years that

have helped make these improvements possible. We are extremely excited about our new turf and dugouts and look forward to continuing the next phase of our stadium renovation which will encompass a new grandstand. This new grandstand

will give us many added features including additional seating capacity, more bathroom/concession facilities, and even a JV / visitor’s locker room connected to the 1B dugout.

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