Feb. 11, 2005

ABILENE, Texas - Going into the season, the Hardin-Simmons baseball team will have a familiar look to the one that went into the last game of the season with a shot at going into the American Southwest Conference Tournament.

The Cowboys return starters at seven of the nine positions and a former starter is back in the lineup. Six of the top seven pitchers on the staff from a year ago also return. Combined it gives the Cowboys one of the most experienced teams in the conference.

"I think we got some veteran guys that know what it takes to win," said eighth-year head coach Steve Coleman. "We have some good arms, can hit, run and play defense. How quick we can come together as a unit will be a key."

The Cowboys will be led by its outfield, which will be one of the most prolific threesomes around. Senior Justin Wilson in leftfield, sophomore Michael Simpson in centerfield and Michael Popino in rightfield combined to hit 16 home runs and each hit over .330 and drove in more than 30 runs last season. Simpson was named the Newcomer of the Year in the ASC and Popino hit a team-best .388.

They also cover a lot of ground in the outfield, with Simpson recording 78 putouts without an error last season. Wilson can run and has a huge arm and Popino makes all of the plays in right.

"That could be the best outfield in the league, especially offensively," said Coleman. "Simpson and Wilson can really run and Popino does a good job defensively. All three can hit and all three will probably be in the middle of the lineup in some order."

On the infield the Cowboys return a solid left side. Sophomore Brad Coleman hit .327 as the starter at third base last season. Senior shortstop Barry Janisse hit .368 and led the team with 43 runs and 15 doubles.

"Brad and Barry are both guys that can hit and they are going to make some special defensive plays. They have to make the routine defensive play more consistently than last year. If they are sound on the routine plays, they could be one of the best left sides of the infield we have had around here."

The right side of the infield is the only spots on the team that the starter is not returning from a year ago. Taylor Lamar, who played behind Tim Donnelly last season, will give the Cowboys a solid defender at second and also a prototypical leadoff hitter. Elliot Strader a two-year starter for the Cowboys in the past at designated hitter and in the outfield is making the move to first base, after mainly coming off the bench last season.

"We know what Elliot can do," said Coleman. "He is going to be streaky offensive player that can get extremely hot with the bat and carry the offense. He has a chance to be good defensively at first. Taylor is a guy that will hit leadoff for us and be a solid defensive second baseman. We need him to get on base and ignite our offense from the top of the order.

Scott Drake, one of the best defensive catcher in the league, will handle the pitching staff. He threw out 12 base stealers last seasons. The designated hitter will be either, junior Craig Johnson, a power-hitting lefthander or Kurtis Lay a strong-hitting righthander.

"Drake is a very good defensive catcher as is (Geoff) Wheeler. We think both of those guys can lead our defense from behind the plate. Both do a good job handling pitchers and have good strong arms.

The bench consists of Bo Vaculik, Chad Coleman and Kurtis Lay on the infield. Ryan Stepp and David Willis in the outfield and Wheeler at catcher.

Senior Craig Foreman will lead the pitching staff. He went 5-4 with a 4.18 ERA last season. He led off last season throwing a no-hitter in the first game of the year and will likely get the opening-day start again this year. Foreman is a hard thrower and a workhorse, throwing a complete game in all 11 starts last season.

"We are counting on big things from Craig this year," said Coleman. "He is a senior and we want him to have the ball in his hands when we need a big win. When he is right, he is probably the best pitcher in the league. We have to see him be consistently good for us.

Junior Nick Kincaid, seniors Justin Wilson, Kyle Tabor and Josh Bishop along with a pair of sophomores Brian Arnold and Patrick Brandt are battling for the two other weekend rotation spots. All but Kincaid have shown flashes of brilliance in the past for the Cowboys.

"We have to find that second and third starter. Right now we have Nick penciled in there and some of those other guys are just going to have to battle to see who can win the job. The fortunate thing is we are not sure because they are all talented and we are trying to get the best ones on the field.

Dalton Rucker, C.J. Rigala and Matt Hinds will give the Cowboys even more options out of the bullpen. Hinds is a workhorse that is always around the plate. Rucker is a lefthander with a knack for getting people out. Rigala is a strike thrower that has a chance to see the mound.

"If we are consistent on the mound and hit like I think we can, this is a team that can get to the postseason," Coleman said. "Then it is all about who gets hot at the right time."