Jan. 29, 2007

ABILENE, Texas - With all nine position starters return, along with an influx of talented depth Hardin-Simmons goes into the 2007 season with maybe its highest expectations ever.

The Cowboys are one of only two teams that have advanced to the ASC Tournament each of the last two years and they look to make it a third straight with a team loaded with experience at every position.

Expectations may be high, but everyone knows it's a new season and anything can happen.

"It's a new year, but it looks very similar to what we had last year," said 10th-year head coach Steve Coleman. "It is nice to see the same faces out there that have played in some big games together. We definitely have experience and some talent, but they have to prove it between the white lines and not on paper."

Dalton Rucker was picked as the American Southwest Conference West Division Preseason Pitcher of the Year and Brad Coleman was named the preseason player of the year. Rucker won the award in the postseason last year after going 8-3 with a 2.90 ERA.

Rucker, a talented lefthander, will lead a rotation that has been bolstered by a pair of Division I transfers Jeff Walker and Nathan Copeland. Walker is an Abilene native that is back after playing at the University of Pacific. He is a lefthander and is expected to be the Cowboys Friday night starter. Copeland played at Northwestern State (La.) and is a native of Granbury. He is expected to be a weekend starter, going into spring camp.

They will be backed by maybe the deepest and most talented bullpen the Cowboys have assembled. Josh Alcorn had seven saves a year ago and posted a 2.13 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 38 innings of work. Opponents hit just .164 against him in his All-ASC season. Brian Arnold (4-2, 5.46), Lance Johnson (4-1, 3.44), C.J. Regala (3-0, 4.82) and Kyle Barton (1-3, 5.80) are all experienced arms that have worked as starters and out of the bullpen.

Ray Kysar, Will Weiland and Tim Kreigel are all newcomers that will try to work in some innings. James Sweatman transferred in at the semester break from West Texas A&M, where he pitched for two seasons. James Gage could also get the Cowboys some outs as a left-handed specialist.

"I really like our staff," said Coleman. "Obviously, Dalton and Josh were a big part of what we did last year, but if you look at the bullpen right now there are four or five quality, experienced guys that on most years would be guys we have had in our rotation on the weekend.

"Obviously, Jeff and Nathan bring two strong arms into the rotation that can get a strikeout when they need it. They have pitched at the Division I level and looked good in the fall. We are excited about our depth in the pitching staff. You can't say that every season at the Division III level."

As experienced as the pitching staff looks, the Cowboys also have a veteran look in the field as well.

Coleman leads the team at third base where he is the team's best hitter and an excellent fielder. He hit .376 with three home runs and 39 RBI, including a .486 average in league play. He had 17 errors in a 14-game stretch last season when he was playing on basically one leg with a bum knee. He had only one error in his last 69 chances of the season.

"Brad had a great year last year and there is no reason he can't repeat it," said Coleman. "He is one of the best hitters in the league and has played a solid third base for us for four years now."

He is flanked on the left side of the infield by the best defensive shortstop in the conference in Trevor Bunte. The talented senior has great range and is a lethal double-play combo with Taylor Lamar at second base. Bunte hit .266 a year ago, but was a clutch hitter and also tied for the team lead with nine sacrifice bunts.

Lamar is one of the top on-base players for the Cowboys. He walked 27 times last season and also hit .299 with 26 RBIs. He started 44 of the games last season, but missed the fall with a back injury.

"Taylor and Trevor turn the double play about as well as we have seen at Hardin-Simmons," said Coleman. "They both have some range and can get to some balls. It is nice to have four senior starters up the middle.

James Gage will get the nod at first base to start the season, but he will have competition. Gage started the last 12 games of the year and he is a great fielder and has shown some pop. He gives the Cowboys a lefthanded hitter that can handle the bat in situational play. Senior Bo Vaculik, who started 29 games in 2006, and freshmen Kyle Swearingen, Colby Day and Zach Stephens will fight for time at first base.

Kevin Ellison and R.C. Waters, a pair of veterans will serve as utility middle infielders. Kelton Redpath and Casey Jones will provide depth at third base. Freshmen Will Weiland and Ray Kysar also will fight for time as utility players.

"We have a bunch of talent that will be sitting over there with me in the dugout," said Coleman. "That is a good thing and they have to be ready when they get a chance - whether it is a pinch-hit, a spot start, a pinch run opportunity or as a late defensive replacement. They have to be able to adjust to their role and be able to adapt if that role changes during the season.

"Championship teams are the ones that can get the roles established and buy into them. I don't think we have a lot of ego on this team so I don't think it will be a problem."

Tre Sellari', the ASC West Newcomer of the Year last season, will be the every day designated hitter, after hitting .296 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. Swearingen, Vaculik, Wayne Pimpton and Dixon are other guys that could get at-bats as the designated hiiter.

Blake Koch returns as one of the top defensive catchers in the conference. He will have more depth around him to keep him fresh, after he caught in 43 of the 45 games last season. Freshmen Regan Dixon and Jared Elston each have a chance to log some innings behind the plate.

"I think we will be solid behind the plate. Blake Koch is a solid defensive guy that calls a great game and the guys respect a lot. He gets us where we need to be defensively. The two young guys have a chance to be good players for us in the future.

The outfield may be the best collective group in the ASC and possibly in the country. Danny Ruth and Michael Simpson were All-ASC selections in left and center field and will return as starters. Ruth hit .345 with two home runs, 15 extra-base hits and a .438 on-base percentage. He also had 32 RBIs and played a stellar left field.

Simpson gives the Cowboys the ability to cover even more ground in the outfield because the corners can shade closer to the lines, because of Simpson's amazing range. He gets to every ball in center field and often makes it look effortless. He also hit .351 with five home runs and 30 RBIs and was 8-for-8 in stolen bases.

The right field job is will be manned by Ryan Stepp, who started 41 games there last season and hit .322 with 10 extra-base hits and 20 RBIs. He also has the best outfield arm on the team and can run. He was on the all-tournament team of the ASC Tournament.

Taylor Gibbs had a great fall at the plate and has some power and speed. He can play all three outfield positions and could get some at-bats as the designated hitter or as a pinch-hitter. Tre' Sellari can also play in the outfield if needed.

Wayne Pimpton and Zach Stephens will also look for time in the outfield. Both are newcomers that can hit, but may see most of their at-bats as pinch-hitters or as the designated hitter.

"It is nice to have options. We have four guys that we have seen do the job and do it well. Michael covers so much ground it makes us really good defensively out there. Danny, Ryan and Taylor all run well so we can go get some balls."

Coleman is also nearing the school record for most wins in school history. He has 210 wins and needs seven more wins to top Larry Martindale's 216 wins.