Preseason Preview: Erskine

This is the fourth in a series of previews of state teams entering the 2011 season. Erskine assistant coach Thomas Holland provides information about the Flying Fleet

Palmetto State Baseball: What is the outlook for your team this season?
TH: The Fleet look to ride the momentum from a 2010 season that saw Erskine make its second NCAA tournament appearance in the last three seasons while finishing the season 41-17.

Although the Fleet offense lost the middle of their line up from 2010, Erskine will look to pick up where they left off. The offense will be led by senior John Bolding who had an outstanding junior season hitting .406 with 20 doubles, 17 home runs and 89 RBI’s. Joining Bolding will be sophomore Drew Willingham who hit .317 with 10 doubles and 10 home runs and 49 RBI’s while missing 15 games and junior shortstop Zac McCarthy who hit .328 with eight homeruns.

The Fleet pitching staff returns All American closer Atlee Pearson who will anchor a solid bullpen. In 2010 Pearson led the country with 16 saves and is just five away from breaking the NCAA career record. Sophomore Kit Carter will serve as the set up man for Pearson, after coming up big for the Fleet late in year, including some big outings in the postseason. Senior Carlton Watts returns after going 5-0 with a 2.29 ERA in 2010 and missing the last month of the season with an injury. After having Tommy John surgery and missing all of 2010, the Fleet welcome back senior Huitt Scarborough to the mound. Huitt looks to be fully recovered and after having an outstanding fall will be counted on heavily for the conference weekends.

PSB: Based on what you saw in fall workouts, which newcomers seem most ready to contribute from the start of the season?
TH: We saw a couple freshmen and one transfer show out on the mound for us in the fall. Freshmen Zach McAllister and junior Taylor Ramsey have put themselves in a position to be in our conference rotation, while freshman Chase Corn could either be a mid week starter or a key left hand arm out of the pen.

On offense, we will be counting on three freshmen to step into our lineup and fill in some holes. Freshman Will Huff had an outstanding fall and will start the season at second base. While also showing out on the mound in the fall, Corn also was one of our most consistent hitters in the fall and will start the season in center field. After a slow start in the fall, freshman Zach Smith tore it up in the last half of the fall and will start out the season at third base.

PSB: Based on what you saw in fall workouts, what area of your team is of the most concern entering the season?
TH: We have some young players in key positions this season, so the lack of experience could be a problem, but so far everyone seems to be adjusting.

PSB: Which returnees from 2010 do you think fans will see the most improvement in for 2011?
TH: After struggling last season, seniors Casey Winckowski and Brian Laznik had outstanding falls and we are looking for these two guys to be big parts of our offense in 2011. On the mound Kit Carter should be a big addition to our bull pen to set up for Atlee Pearson.