The Cleveland State Community College 2016 baseball season begins this Friday at Cougar Field.
Opening day's first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. The Cougars host Roane State in the first of a three-game series, then travel for the final two games Saturday and Sunday.
Cougars head coach Mike Policastro is faced with replacing much of last year's everyday starting lineup along with five pitchers that transferred to four year schools.
"We're building a pitching staff with a combination of freshmen and sophomores that saw limited action last season," said Policastro.
"We do have five sophomores returning to the line up that will see a lot of playing time."
Sophomore Blake Thomas hit .318 last year and will start at second base. Thomas is joined in the infield by fellow sophmores Drew Curtis and Austin Phillips, playing first and third base respectively.
Hagen Wilkey is the only returning outfielder and will patrol right field. "Hagen has the capability of being a presence in the middle of the line-up," said Policastro.
The rest of the Cougar's lineup is filled with either red-shirt or true freshmen. Lee Gibson, a Troy State transfer, expects to hit in the top of the order and start at shortstop. Freshman first baseman Sean McDermott should provide middle of the order pop in the line-up.
Freshman Billy Brand will contribute as a utility infielder while middle infielder Brett Browning is expected to put up numbers on offense.
Adding depth to the infield is freshman Parker Cochran, who plays third and second base along with pitching middle relief. Freshman Jake Rogers is penciled in to be a starting pitcher, but can also contribute at third base.
In the outfield freshman Devin Gardner will play centerfield. "Gardner is a speedy outfielder that can cover ground and is an offensive threat," said Policastro.
Adding to the outfield will be redshirt freshmen Trent Elliott and John Anderson along with true freshman Jordan Ransom. Elliott is a left-handed hitter that can play all outfield positions, Anderson is an athletic switch hitter and Ransom is a talented defensive player with a strong accurate arm.
Returning catchers Christian Burnett and Koltyn Plumb will hande the Cougar pitching staff, along with redshirt transfer Hagen Kennedy and true freshmen Ethan Dalton and Jake Griffin.
"All of the catchers will have a chance to contribute some time during the year," said Policastro. "Their continued improvement working with the pitching staff will be key."
The pitching staff returns five players from last year. Sophomores Drew Korzybski (5-3 4.05 era), Colton Morgan (2-1 5.10 era) and Christian Amos (1-1 5.40 era) combined for over 100 innings pitched last season. Each will log innings as starters along with freshmen Jake Rogers and Justin Coleman. "The conference weekend rotation will need to be stable with starters needing to be consistent outing to outing," said Policastro.
The Cougars have depth in the bullpen with returning late inning right-handers Matt Henshaw and Matt Roueche'. Rounding out the bullpen is sophomore left handed pitcher Ryan Mahaffey, freshman lefty Elijah Haney, and right-handers Taylor Thompson and Josh Griffin.
"They work hard each day," said Policastro. "With the inexperience it is going to be on the job training for a while, but I believe that we will compete, and if we are able to limit mistakes, we will put ourselves in a position to be successful."