Feb. 4, 2004

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons showed in the fall they have regained some of their swagger and have number of reasons to be optimistic about their chances heading into the spring season.

"Offensively, we have retooled our team a little bit," said HSU head coach Steve Coleman. "We are not going to be as fast as in the past, but we are going to be able to drive in runs all throughout the lineup and I think we have the ability to hit a lot of balls out of the yard. At least in the fall we showed the ability to do that."

Leading the way for the Cowboys will be the middle of the order that will consists of senior first baseman Andy Harrington and junior utility player Michael Popino. Popino hit .420 two seasons ago and a broken thumb in the first conference series of the year last season caused him to redshirt last season. The left-handed hitting Harrington came on late last season and finished at .324. He had a productive fall as well.

Sophomore designated hitter Craig Johnson is back after getting his academics in order. He had an up and down freshman season, but added maturity and bulk has helped him became a dangerous left-handed weapon at the plate. He had two grand slams in the fall. He should take full advantage of the strong wind that usually blows out at Hunter Field.

The left side of the infield will be in capable hands as Barry Janissee is back as the starter. As a freshman Janisse hit .341 while starting 27 games at shortstop. He went to Galveston Community College last season and is back with the Cowboys. His glove work will help shore up a shaky defense from a year ago. Freshman Brad Coleman, Steve's son, won the job at third base in the fall. He has good pop at the plate and struck out just twice in the fall.

Hardnosed Tim Donnelly will get the starting nod at second base. He gives the Cowboys a vocal leader on the field that can field his position and handle the bat in critical situations.

Taylor Lamar, Brian Whitworth, Ryan Gibbs, Bo Vaculik, Patrick Brandt are all utility guys that can play a number of infield positions and will battle for playing time throughout the season. Junior Chad Coleman will be the backup at first base.

Junior College transfer Michael Simpson's is a pitcher's best friend as his speed gives the Cowboys an added element in centerfield and at the top of the lineup. He can track down and ball in the outfield and he will set the table for the Cowboys sluggers.

Junior Brady Coke will battle for the starting job in left field. He has one of the strongest outfield arms in the conference and his ability to hit the ball with power to all fields makes him dangerous at the plate. Senior Brandon Beene will also battle for time in left and he gives the Cowboys a pest at either the top or bottom of the lineup. Beene has shown the ability throughout his career to get on base some way.

Popino is slated for right field as the team heads into the season but Abilene Christian transfer Justin Wilson, who joined the team at Christmas break, or Elliot Strader could still battle for playing time. Popino will be in the lineup somewhere, either as a first baseman, designated hitter or outfielder.

Senior Jeff Wisner gives the Cowboys some speed off the bench and he has been a solid player off the bench in the past for HSU.

No matter who wins the starting jobs in the outfield they will be pushed all season long by talented depth.

"We have added depth across the board, especially in the outfield. We have a lot of different players that bring something to the table.

The Cowboys also have a key ingredient to the team's success a catcher that can be the team leader. Scott Drake a junior college transfer from Ranger Junior College, gives the team a spark plug at catcher that can throw out runner's and call the game behind the plate. Will Hart, a junior college transfer from Trinidad JC, will also battle for playing time behind the plate.

It does not matter how good the Cowboys hit if they don't field the ball better than the last two seasons.

"When you look at teams that get in to the playoffs in our conference it is the teams that play good defense. When we were going to the conference tournament on a regular basis we fielded the ball with the best of them," said Coleman.

"We haven't done that in the past two years and this team should field the ball much better. We are solid up the middle with the two middle infielders that have range, a great Division III catcher and Michael Simpson can get to any ball in center. Good teams are solid up the middle and this team has that as good as any I have had here."

A solid defense will only help a solid returning pitching staff.

Junior left-hander Kyle Tabor returns for his third season in the Cowboys rotation. Tabor just gets people out. He doesn't over power hitters, but has the ability to get ground balls. He had a 6-4 mark a year ago with a better than average 3.68 ERA in a team-high 71 innings. His out pitch is his circle change that he uses as a strike out or ground ball pitch.

Craig Foreman has shown flashes of brilliance in his career and is the Cowboys most dominate arm. If he gets ahead and throws strikes he can be the best pitcher in the conference. His challenge is to be around the plate early in the count and not fall behind batters. He has the stuff to be the Cowboys Friday night starter and be one that can go toe-to-toe with any other No. 1 in the league.

Justin Wilson and Josh Cosby will battle it out for a rotation spot. Wilson was slated to be the closer for ACU this season but wanted the opportunity to pitch and play in the field. Cosby is a redshirt freshman lefthander from Fal Furrias that had one of the best fall efforts of anyone on the staff.

The bullpen will be stacked with experienced arms. Jonathan Emens is in his fourth season on the bump and was second on the team with a 5.79 ERA last season. Matt Hinds does nothing but get hitters out. He walked only four batters in 51 innings last season and has a devastating curveball and change-up. Josh Bishop returns after giving the Cowboys quality innings at times last season. Cory Summers a junior college transfer could also work his self into the midweek starting rotation and have a role out of the bullpen.

Patrick Brandt, Brian Whitworth and Brian Arnold will all see action out of the bullpen.

"This may be the deepest staff we have had here in a while. We have some guys with live arms that have shown they can throw strikes. We have to be able to match up with the best arms in our league and I think we have a chance to do that, we will go as far as our pitchers take us."