SHEPHERD BASEBALL PREVIEW

The Shepherd University baseball team looks to build upon last year's 29-21 overall record and a 10-6 mark in conference action. The Rams return 14 letterwinners from last year's squad.

     Head coach Wayne Riser, who enters his 19th season at the helm for the Rams, has added a talented group of newcomers to a solid core of veterans as the Rams will aim to be among the best teams in the WVIAC and compete for a trip to the
Regional playoffs.  

Below is a position-by-position breakdown of the Rams with a description of all players.

Pitching

Perhaps the position with the most depth and the most untested talent is on the pitching staff.

Senior Matt McCarty (Stephens City, VA/Sherando) leads the list of returnees on the mound for the Rams this year.
McCarty gained All-American honors in 2008 as he posted an 8-2 mark with a 1.91 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 70.2 innings.

Junior Kenny Reisinger (Ickesburg, PA/West Perry) posted a 5-1 mark with a 3.65 ERA in a team-high 23 appearances in 2008. He struck out 21 in 37.0 innings. He was an honorable mention All-WVIAC selection.

Senior Charlie Gordon (Pasadena, MD/Chesapeake/Anne Arundel CC) recorded a 4-4 record with a 4.83 ERA last season. Gordon fanned 39 in 50.1 innings.

Junior Kyle Shifflette (Severna Park, MD/Severna Park) had a 2-2 record with a 5.40 ERA last year. He fanned seven in 31.2 innings.

Senior Brandon Armentrout (Martinsburg, WV/Martinsburg) returns after spending most of his time at third base last year. He posted a 1-3 mark with a 6.34 ERA.

Riser is looking for improved production from sophomore C.J. Bliffin (Monrovia, MD/Urbana) coming off an injury last season. Bliffin posted a 0-1 mark with an 8.84 ERA in a limited role last season.

Sophomore Adam Lauer (Ocean City, NJ/Ocean City) was impressive in eight appearances last season. He recorded a 0-0 mark with a 1.93 ERA in 18.2 innings.

Junior Pat Smith (Ashville, PA/North County {MD}) should be a key figure in the bullpen. The hard-throwing righthander had a 2-1 mark and a save with a 6.55 ERA last year. He struck out 16 in 22 innings.

Junior college transfers Bryan Wolfe (Bel Air, MD/John Carroll/Harford CC), Josh McQuade (Baltimore, MD/North County/Dundalk CC), and Brian Collins (Martinsburg, WV/Jefferson/Frederick CC) are expected to contribute for the Rams.

Freshmen Trevor Appleby (Chambersburg, PA/Chambersburg) and Shawn Wiles (Knoxville, MD/Middletown) are talented newcomers who could also see action.

Junior Matt Ridenour (Hagerstown, MD/North Hagerstown/HCC), who sat out last season as a redshirt, could also make an immediate contribution depending on how well he progresses from off-season surgery.

Freshman Jesse Leszczynski (Crofton, MD/Arundel) is expected to be redshirted.

Infielders

The Rams return several players with starting experience in the infield this season.

Senior Drew McCormick (Stephens City, VA/Sherando) returns as the starter at second base.

McCormick earned Honorable Mention All-WVIAC honors as he batted .327  with 35 RBIs and 37 runs scored last year. He smacked 13 doubles, a triple, and seven home runs. He also drew a team-high 26 walks.

Junior infielder Patrick Aragon (Gaithersburg, MD/Watkins Mill/Montgomery College) who sat out last season as a redshirt will fill the starting role at shortstop.

Armentrout, Appleby, and last year's starter senior Matt McCarty could also see action.

Junior transfer Brian Collins is slated to start at third base. Junior Joey Hayes (Vienna, VA/ Madison) and Armentrout return with third base starting experience.

Hayes batted. 299 with 35 hits and 25 runs scored. He had seven doubles and drove in 16 runs.

Junior transfer Joe Wilt (Kearneysville, WV/Jefferson/Garrett CC) is expected to get the starting nod at first base with talented freshman Nathan Minnich (Waynesboro, PA/Waynesboro) also vying for action.

Junior Matt Murray (Hagerstown, MD/Hagerstown CC) will also push for playing time.

Freshmen infielders Jake Cook (Centreville, MD/Queen Anne's) and Lee Hertel(Clarksburg, MD/Damascus) will likely be redshirted.

Outfielders 

The Shepherd outfield should will sport a new look this season with the loss of starters Justin Dailey and Chris Wilkins. 

Matt McCarty will take over the starting duties in center field. 

McCarty batted .353 with 48 hits and 36 runs scored. He had five doubles and a pair of round-trippers.

Senior Neil Toothman (Ronceverte, WV/Greenbrier East) is expected to see starting action in left and right field.
Toothman batted .296 with 20 RBIs and 20 runs scored last year. He added nine doubles and two homers.

Senior Trey Stewart(Romney, WV/Hampshire/Garrett CC) returns after starting in right field last season.Stewart batted .255 with 27 hits and 23 runs scored in 2008. He drove in 10 runs.

Junior transfers Chris Szafren (Keyser, WV/Keyser/Potomac State) and Tyler Beard (Hagerstown, MD/Williamsport/Davis & Elkins) could make an immediate impact.

Szafen was a standout at Potomac State, while Beard gained All-WVIAC honors at Davis & Elkins.

Junior Matt Ridenour could also vie for a starting role.
Freshmen Jake Williams (Henderson, MD/Queen Anne's County) and Ethan French (Martinsburg, WV/Musselman) are expected to be redshirted.

Catchers

Senior Brett Caplan (Marriottsville, MD/Liberty) returns as the starter at catcher.

Junior Anthony Jackson (Belcamp, MD/Aberdeen/Anne Arundel CC) is also expected to see some starting action.

Caplan, who should also see time at designated hitter, batted .310 with 36 RBIs and scored 35 runs in 2008. He belted eight doubles and three home runs.

Jackson was redshirted last season.

Junior transfer David Miele (Martinsburg, WV/Salisbury(Pa.)/Lehigh Carbon CC) and sophomore Westley Jenkins (Harpers Ferry, WV/Jefferson) could also figure in the mix.

The Rams will open the 2009 campaign on Friday against Armstrong Atlantic State. Doubleheader action is slated to begin at 11 a.m.