Feb. 6, 2006

ABILENE, Texas - Anytime you lose 11 players to graduation, it seems almost natural to go into a rebuilding mode as a baseball team. That is not the case for this year's Hardin-Simmons baseball team.

HSU did lose 11 players to graduation from last season's American Southwest Conference runner-up team that went 28-19. But head coach Steve Coleman thinks the Cowboys have returned a team that in some ways better than a year ago.

"I think defensively we are better," said Coleman. "We have an outfield that can really go get the baseball. Trevor Bunte is an upgrade defensively at shortstop and Taylor Lamar and Brad Coleman are a year older and just more comfortable in their roles. We have more team speed than last year."

Pitching and defense have been a proven commodity for championships in all levels of baseball, but especially in the ASC.

"The teams that can pick it up and throw it and that also get good solid pitching are the teams that win the conference every year," Coleman said. "I think we do that as well as we have in the last five or six years."

One thing the Cowboys will have to replace is a foursome in the middle of the lineup that made the Cowboys a potent offensive team a year ago. Barry Janisse, Justin Wilson, Michael Popino and Elliot Strader all hit .317 or better. All but Wilson stated 46 or more game and they combined for 26 home runs, drove in 146 runs and scored 143 times.

"Those fours guys are going to be missed offensively. They really gave us an advantage, but I think we have replaced them with some guys that can hit. You won't replace their power numbers."

The Cowboys are looking for some of their experienced players to take the next step. Brad Coleman, Taylor Lamar and Michael Simpson all return after starting 40 or more games last season. Ryan Stepp and Bo Vaculik spent time as starters and return to the Cowboy lineup.

Junior college transfers are expected to take over at shortstop with Trevor Bunte and behind the plate in Blake Koch. Tre' Sellari and Danny Ruth will also be in the lineup and add some offensive power.

"We lost a lot of guys, but it is not like we are throwing freshmen into the fire. We have some guys that have played collegiately and are ready to play. It is a new team no doubt but I think we will be in the hunt in the conference."

HSU returns three starting pitchers - Dalton Rucker, Brian Arnold and Kurtis Lay from a year ago and Coleman is excited about his pitching staff.

"We have three guys back that threw a lot of important innings for us down the stretch a year ago," Coleman said. "We have confidence in them when they are on the mound and I think we have a couple of good young power arms."

If the Cowboys are going to make a postseason, push a week stretch in March will go a long way in determining it. HSU plays at defending conference champion Texas Lutheran to open ASC West play then plays host to Southwestern and nationally-ranked Marietta in the midweek then travel to crosstown rival McMurry. It will be a chance to play eight games in eight days against four times that have been to NCAA regional action.

"That will be a fun week," said Coleman. "I think we have the type of team that will not get too high or too low, but if we can play well that week it will give a push on the rest of the season. We have a demanding schedule, but I do that on purpose. I only get 40 games and I like to play the best teams I can play."

HSU plays Southwestern twice, Trinity, Marietta, UT-Dallas and Austin College as Division III teams in the non-conference. Marietta is ranked No. 9 in the preseason national rankings and Trinity and Southwestern are both annually in the national rankings.

The Cowboys also have a demanding non-Division III schedule that features games against NAIA No. 6 Lubbock Christian, NAIA No. 22 Oklahoma Baptist along with Wayland Baptist and the College of the Southwest.

Catcher Blake Koch Brad Coleman

McLennan community college transfer Blake Koch has to replace last year's starter Geoff Wheeler, who decided after school had started to not return to the team. Wheeler was outstanding behind the plate and hit .261 with a home run and 11 RBIs as a true freshman. Koch had a broken wrist in the fall, but was able to do some drills. Brad Coleman will move from third to relieve Koch some. Coleman has not played catcher since high school.

Coleman's Analysis "This is the only position on the field where we have depth issues. I think Blake is going to be the guy back there and he is very good defensively. He blocks the ball well and handles the pitching staff. We just have to see if he can handle catching three games in two days in conference play. He can handle the bat well, hit to all fields, hit and run and bunt. He will allow us to do some things with our team speed. We will probably catch Brad some early in the year, just to get him so live action since he hasn't caught in a real game in a while. He would be the backup."

First Base Bo Vaculik Tre' Sellari Kelton Redpath James Gage

The Cowboys will have a new first baseman this season and it could be one of several players. Veteran Bo Vaculik has moved over to first from second base and will see some time. Trey Sellari is a junior college transfer that has some offensive pop. Freshman Kelton Redpath was pushing hard for the job, until he broke his wrist on Feb. 4. James Gage, who also plays football and is the Cowboys' only lefthanded pitcher out of the bullpen, is the best defensive first basemen and will likely see some time, especially late in games as a defensive replacement. They will be trying to replace the departed Elliot Strader from a year ago. Strader hit .327 and was one of the vocal leader's of last year's team.

Coleman's Analysis "We are just trying to find the best guy right now. It is not a clear-cut situation. Right now Gage is the best defender, Bo (Vaculik) and Sellari are going to be in the lineup for offense. It could become a situation of where one of them gets hot with the bat and just forces their way into the lineup.

Second Base Taylor Lamar Kevin Ellison Justin Greene

Junior Taylor Lamar returns to his second base position after starting 41 games a year ago. He Is a solid defensive second baseman and teams well with Trevor Bunte in turning double plays. Lamar led the conference with 34 walks last season and had a .430 on-base percentage, while hitting mostly in the leadoff spot a year ago. He hit .264 with 13 RBIs in his first season as a starter. Freshman Kevin Ellison and utility guy Justin Greene could also see time.

Coleman's Analysis "Taylor makes all of the routine plays at second base and turns a great double play. He will lead off and be a catalyst offensively for this team. Ellison and Greene could see some time as backups at the position, but if Lamar plays like we expect him to he will be the main guy over there."

Shortstop Trevor Bunte Brian Fields

Trevor Bunte, a transfer from Ranger Junior College, has come in taken the shortstop position. He is a flashy player with the glove, that makes all of the plays. He has upgraded the Cowboys' defense, that had 25 errors last season out of offensive-minded starter Barry Janisse. The Cowboys will have to find a way to replace Janisse's offense as he hit .351 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs and led the team with 46 runs scored and 65 hits. Sophomore Brian Fields will provide solid depth at the position.

Coleman's Analysis "I really like Bunte's demeanor. He comes in every day, works hard and goes about his business. He doesn't get too high or too low. Guys tend to feed off of his play and that is something you want out of the shortstop position. I think he has upgraded us defensively at the position and I think he will be a solid hitter. He is not going to put up huge power numbers, but he hits well. Brian is a good team guy. He works hard and if Trevor goes down or struggles we won't hesitate to put him in there.

Third Base Brad Coleman Tre' Sellari Justin Greene

Junior Brad Coleman came on late in the year both offensively and defensively to become one of the top third basemen in the conference. Coleman hit .280 with four home runs and 23 RBIs in 157 at-bats. Sellari will be a solid player at third, if Coleman is catching. Justin Greene could also fill in at third base.

Coleman's Analysis "We need Brad to step it up and have a full offensive year hitting somewhere in the middle of the lineup. He can make all of the plays defensively. Trey is a solid offensive player and won't get you beat defensively. Greene can play a lot of positions because of his athleticism."

Left Field Taylor Gibbs Danny Ruth

The Cowboys will have a platoon situation in left field. Left-hand hitting Taylor Gibbs and right-hand hitting Danny Ruth will both get time. Gibbs had a solid year as a utility plater lsat season. He had two home runs and five RBIs in 30 at-bats and he also scored 10 runs and stole three bases. Ruth is an Abilene Wylie product that transferred in from Vernon Junior College.

Coleman's Analysis "Right now it will probably be a platoon situation with Taylor Gibbs and Danny Ruth. Neither one has run away with it and said it is their job. Both are streaky hitters and if one of them takes the job consistently it will be because they get hot with the bat. Gibbs probably has more raw speed, Danny is better at taking good angles and he has a better arm. They both bring assets to the club."

Center Field Michael Simpson Justin Greene

Junior Michael Simpson could contend for league player of the year honors. He is an outstanding defensive centerfielder that covers more ground than anyone in the league. He also hit .341 with eight home runs and 43 RBIs last year. Justin Greene would be the backup to Simpson.

Coleman's Analysis "Michael has proven to be one of the best players in the conference. He hits with a lot of power and he seems to be a little more patient at the plate. If he lowers his strikeout total he could push for player of the year honors."

Right Field Ryan Stepp David Willis Nick Olsen

Sophomore Ryan Stepp returns after a solid freshman campaign that saw him hit .275 in 23 starts as a freshman. He has a solid arm and hits well from the left side of the plate. He will bat second and his speed and strong arm in the outfield gives him the job in right. David Willis is one of two seniors on the team and he will be used as a reserve outfielder and also as a pinch hitter and possibly a DH. Nick Olsen gives the Cowboys one more option in right.

Coleman's Analysis "Stepp has gained some weight and strength and his really had a good preseason. He can do a lot of things with the bat and he is solid in the outfield. I expect him to have a big year. He started quite a few games last year. Willis can hit with some power.

Designated Hitter Tre' Sellari Bo Vaculik David Willis Danny Ruth/Taylor Gibbs James Gage Josh Alcorn

The Cowboys have not settled on a designated hitter, but it is not from a lack of options. Three pitchers have shown the ability to hit in Josh Alcorn, Kurtis Lay and James Gage. Vaculik or Sellari one will most likely be on the field at either first or third.

Coleman's Analysis "We have some guys that can hit. This is probably going to be our deepest offensive team in the last several years. We are going to have good hitters sitting on the bench. That will be good for late in the game."

Utility Justin Greene R.C. Waters Casey Jones

The Cowboys have three utility guys that can play a variety of positions in Justin Greene, R.C. Waters and Casey Jones.

Coleman's Analysis "Greene is an athlete and is taking some time getting back into playing shape, after not playing baseball for a few years. R.C. and Casey are two kids that do whatever you ask them, if it is shagging ground balls, catching bullpens, whatever. They are good team guys to have because when they don't get in the lineup they don't brings others down. They come out every day with a positive attitude.

Starting Pitchers Brian Arnold Dalton Rucker Kyle Barton Lance Johnson Kurtis Lay

The Cowboys will have one of the top rotations in the league, with two proven guys in Brian Arnold and Dalton Rucker and three other guys that have potential top of the rotation type stuff. Arnold was 3-1 last season as a sophomore and Rucker turned out to be the ace of the staff as a freshman with a 4-2 record and a 1.48 ERA. Kurtis Lay was 4-1 in 52 innings of work with a 4.61 ERA and he also had three saves. He is going to start the season as the weekend closer, but he could also log starts if he is not used in the first two games of the weekend series as a closer.

Freshman Kyle Barton has been impressive enough in the preseason to get the nod as the third starter for the Cowboys, allowing Lay to take his closer demeanor to the bullpen. Lance Johnson had battle some injury problems, but he has some of the best "stuff" on the team. He will likely see some relief time on the weekends and by a midweek starter.

Coleman's Analysis "I am excited about the prospects of our pitching staff. We lost four durable guys from last year that really pitched well for us in Craig Foreman, Josh Bishop, Kyle Tabor and Matt Hinds. However, this group we have has a chance to be the best top of the line rotation we have had. Arnold and Rucker have thrown well and I really like Kyle Barton and Lance Johnson. They both have some fire inside them and they have above average arms. Kurtis Lay is as intense of a player as you will find and I can see him closing a lot of games for us."

Relievers Sidjohn Regala James Gage Josh Alcorn Paul Garrett James Crawford Travis Franklin

The Cowboys relief squad is inexperienced with Sidjohn Regala the only player that has seen varsity action. James Gage will see the mound as the only lefthander out of the bullpen and Josh Alcorn is athletic and has shown good velocity. Paul Garrett is an offspeed, control guy that will likely be used as a situational pitcher.

Coleman's Analysis "We have some guys in the bullpen that have shown that they can get people out. They have not proven at the varsity level, but they are guys that we will have some confidence in. They will also have to start some in the midweek."