Baseball gets fresh start
Posted by The Skyliner on February 3rd, 2010Billy Cannada
Staff Writer
Despite the sub-par 2009 season, head coach Travis Henson believes that a fresh start in 2010 is cause for optimism in the Crusader Clubhouse.
“The 2010 Crusader baseball campaign holds tremendous promise for an exciting season,” Henson said. “The addition of a strong incoming class of freshmen and junior college transfers, combined with the existing talent of returnees, has created a lot of energy and excitement in anticipation of what is sure to be an impressive season.”
After only winning 10 out of 50 games last season, the North Greenville baseball team is looking to make some major improvements on the diamond this spring.
“I believe last season certainly laid the foundation for a promising future,” Henson said. “The 2009 squad was tantalizingly close to an even far greater number of wins, having lost 11 games by two runs or less – losses that we hope to turn into wins this season.”
The strength of the freshman class will be something that the Crusaders will rely on much of this season, and they are doing a lot to impress in their first year at North Greenville. Some notable new faces for the Crusaders that are likely to have an immediate impact are outfielder Adam Taylor, first baseman Dalton Knight, mathematics education, and middle infielders Bubba Giles, mathematics education, and Nate Richards, social studies education, who will also serve as closers for the Crusader bullpen. The top returning players for coach Henson’s squad will be senior outfielder Randy Stegall, business administration, sophomore first baseman Tyler Callicut, accounting, and sophomore designated hitter Derek Fulmer, business administration.
“An influx of new talent and a strong group of proven returnees will be aided by a solid coaching staff with a year of experience and growth behind them,” said Henson.
The entire Crusader ball club has bought into the coaching staff’s optimism for the upcoming season, as the players will also be working to step it up in the spring. Catcher Cory Matheson, social studies education, a redshirt freshman, believes that the team will be much improved from the 10-win team a year ago.
“We’ve really bought into what the coaches have been teaching us,” Matheson said. “We have a better team attitude and everyone has been working hard, focusing on what they are doing, and improving their game.”
The second year head coach says he is a big believer in high goals for his team, and has provided a constant reminder of those goals for his club. The number 427, the amount of miles between North Greenville and the NCCAA World Series in Cincinnati, Ohio, is printed on the back of every Crusader’s practice jersey.
“We want to be reminded of our goal every day,” Henson said. “While we have a long way to go, we feel very encouraged heading into the season.”
The Crusaders will open up the 2010 season at home on Feb. 4, as they face off against King College at Ashmore Field at 12 p.m.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 2