Coach Greg Dennis said Chattanooga State is looking to bounce back in 2015 after a subpar season.
The team is hosting its Annual Pancake Breakfast this Saturday at the Applebee’s at 5606 Brainerd Road from 8-10 a.m. Tickets are $5 at the door and the team will be selling baseball apparel as wellt.
Coach Dennis said, "Coming off of a somewhat disappointing 2014 campaign (26-17), the Tigers are looking to bounce back using the formula that has served them so well in previous successful seasons……..good pitching, great defense and a solid, situational approach at the plate. Myself and assistants Joe Wingate and Coty Green have put together a squad for this year’s assault on the conference title that we feel is adequately loaded enough to fulfill that quest.
"Pitching should be anchored by 3 returning sophomores that have plus experience in weekend games from last year. Brennan Swindoll ( 7-4, 4.10 ERA ), and Zach Thompson ( 6-4, 2.90 ERA ) both started virtually every weekend this past season and are going to be counted on for more quality outings this year. Andy Clay ( 2-2, 6 saves ) will look to continue his role of closing games as well as playing the field and batting at the top of the order. Not only do the Tigers feel great about those three but they have added some of the best arms they have had in a number of years. Transfer Nick Mason should come in and contend right away for conference innings while his younger brother Jake has also shown the command and stuff to be a conference guy also.
"A mid-year transfer, Austin Hutchison, has been added to the group and he brings Division I experience as he was the Friday starter at ETSU last year. Another transfer, Gabe Rich, has shown a plus arm off of the bump and should anchor a deep bullpen along with transfer David Mayo who, much like Rich, has shown very good stuff. Freshmen Drake Adair, Alex Birdsong, Sean Williams, Noah Karst, Stefan Remus and Peyton Coleman should all factor in to big innings and solid roles.
"Not to be forgotten, the Tigers offense is looking to regain its “Roar” after having a somewhat subpar year last year. Sophomores Michael Goss ( .387 avg., 20 RBI ), Chaz Vesser ( .333 BAvg ), Jean Paul Rodriguez ( .422 BAvg ) and Ben Young ( .324 BAvg ) all are looking to be key cogs in the everyday lineup. Transfer JoJo Underwood looks to nail down the hot-corner for the Tigers and hopefully a middle of the order spot with his powerful bat. Another transfer, Ari Fabian, came in injured this fall and has battled injuries all fall thus far but has the ability to be a very good LH hitter this coming spring once he gets well. Freshmen are going to make a huge impact on the Tigers this spring and there are plenty of good ones. Local talent, Hunter Parker, is contending in the outfield for a starting spot while Nate Schmal, Kam Herring and Zack Comeaux are also vying to get playing time in the outfield. Dalton HS star, Grant Sane, is competing at 3B and should factor in some this spring and brings a potent bat. Noah Karst should see time on the mound as well as in the middle infield some this spring.
"All in all, the Tigers look ready for the always difficult task of making their way through the TCCAA conference as well as the Region VII schedule. We are excited about what 2015 is going to bring to this team and feel that with continued work and determination, this squad has the stuff to go a long way in 2015."
Roster
Name |
Pos |
Class |
Hometown |
Austin Hutchison |
RHP |
So. |
Dandridge, Tenn. |
Hunter Parker |
OF |
Fr. |
Chattanooga, Tenn. |
David Mayo |
OF / RHP |
So. |
Loganville, Ga. |
Zack Comeaux |
OF |
Fr. |
Carencro, La. |
Nate Schmal |
OF |
Fr. |
Cumming, Ga |
Jean Paul Rodriguez |
C |
So. |
Dominican Rep. |
Ben Young |
OF |
So. |
Maryville, Tenn. |
Andy Clay |
RHP / 2B |
So. |
Loganville, Ga. |
Chaz Vesser |
C |
So. |
Alcoa, Tenn. |
Brennan Swindoll |
LHP |
So. |
Lebanon, Tenn. |
Stefan Remus |
RHP |
So. |
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. |
Peyton Coleman |
RHP |
Fr. |
Collierville, Tenn |
Michael Halley |
SS |
So. |
Collierville, Tenn. |
Kameron Herring |
OF |
Fr. |
Heath, Ohio |
Noah Karst |
RHP / INF |
Fr. |
Woodstock, Ga. |
JoJo Underwood |
3B |
So. |
Cartersville, Ga. |
Michael Goss |
1B |
So. |
Cartersville, Ga. |
Sean Williams |
RHP |
Fr. |
Rowlett, Texas |
Grant Sane |
3B / C |
Fr. |
Dalton, Ga. |
Nick Mason |
RHP |
So. |
Cincinnati, Ohio |
Drake Adair |
RHP |
Fr. |
Grapevine, Texas |
Gabe Rich |
RHP |
So. |
Ringgold, Ga. |
Zach Thompson |
RHP |
Fr. |
Chattanooga, Tenn. |
Jake Mason |
RHP |
Fr. |
Cincinnati, Ohio |
Ari Fabian |
1B |
So. |
Atlanta, Ga. |
|
|
|
|
Greg Dennis |
Head Coach |
|
Joe Wingate |
Assoc. Head Coach |
|
Coty Green |
Pitching Coach |
|
2015 Schedule
Tue. |
3-Feb |
Ga. Perimeter |
A |
1:00 PM DH
|
|
Fri. |
6-Feb |
East. Ga College |
A |
2:00 PM |
|
Sat. |
7-Feb |
East. Ga College |
A |
12:00 PM DH
|
|
Tue. |
10-Feb |
West Ga. College |
A |
1:00 PM DH
|
|
Sat. |
14-Feb |
Ga. Perimeter |
H |
1:00 PM DH |
|
Mon. |
16-Feb |
West Ga. College |
H |
1:00 PM DH
|
|
Fri. |
20-Feb |
East. Ga College |
H |
2:00 PM |
|
Sat. |
21-Feb |
East. Ga College |
H |
12:00 PM DH |
|
Tue. |
24-Feb |
Piedmont College |
H |
1:00 PM DH
|
|
Fri. |
27-Feb |
* Dyersburg St. |
A |
2 PM CST |
|
Sat. |
28-Feb |
* Dyersburg St. |
A |
12 PM CST DH
|
|
Tue. |
3-Mar |
Piedmont College |
A |
1:00 PM DH
|
|
Fri. |
6-Mar |
* Roane St. |
H |
2:00 PM |
Sat |
7-Mar |
* Roane St. |
H |
12:00 PM DH
|
|
Tue. |
10-Mar |
Lake Mich. CC |
H |
1:00 PM DH
|
|
Fri. |
13-Mar |
* Vol State |
A |
2 PM CST |
Sat. |
14-Mar |
* Vol State |
A |
12 PM CST DH
|
|
Tue. |
17-Mar |
Atlanta Sports Acad |
H |
1:00 PM DH
|
|
Fri. |
20-Mar |
* Cleveland St. |
H |
2:00 PM |
Sat |
21-Mar |
* Cleveland St. |
H |
12:00 PM DH
|
|
Mon. |
23-Mar |
Shorter College |
A |
1:00 PM DH
|
|
Wed. |
25-Mar |
Bryan College |
H |
1:00 PM DH
|
|
Fri. |
27-Mar |
* SW Tenn |
A |
2 PM CST |
|
Sat. |
28-Mar |
* SW Tenn |
A |
12 PM CST DH
|
|
Thu. |
2-Apr |
* Jackson St. |
A |
2 PM CST |
|
Fri. |
3-Apr |
* Jackson St. |
A |
12 PM CST DH
|
Fri. |
10-Apr |
* Walters St. |
H |
2:00 PM |
|
Sat. |
11-Apr |
* Walters St. |
H |
12:00 PM DH
|
|
Wed. |
15-Apr |
Bryan College |
A |
1:00 PM DH |
|
Fri. |
17-Apr |
* Motlow St. |
A |
2 PM CST |
|
Sat. |
18-Apr |
* Motlow St. |
A |
12 PM CST DH
|
|
Mon. |
20-Apr |
Shorter College |
H |
2:00 PM DH
|
|
Fri. |
24-Apr |
* Columbia St. |
H |
2:00 PM |
Sat. |
25-Apr |
* Columbia St. |
H |
12:00 PM DH
|
|