Third in a series of 2015 season previews for college/junior
college baseball programs in South Carolina. I've asked for responses
from every school. I'll run all I receive. Some days, I may run more
than one. I'll publicize all on Twitter (@palmettobase) and Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Palmetto-State-Baseball-Blog/92994136001)
Responses by Southern Wesleyan coach Mike Gillespie
Palmetto State Baseball: After what you saw in fall workouts, what are your team's prospects for the 2015 season?
MG: We had a productive fall season. It was our first fall working under NCAA guidelines so we were able to take full advantage of the weeks when they allowed for full team practice versus group sessions. We are very young this year and this allowed for a high level of enthusiasm and energy each day. Our guys were very attentive and eager to learn.
PSB: What are your biggest areas of concern entering the 2015 season?
MG: Experience will be a large role, especially early in the season. Almost 70 percent of our roster is made up of freshmen and sophomores. How quickly we are able to play together as a unit based on our youth will be important and of course depth on the pitching staff will be important.
PSB: In what areas does your team appear to be improved from the 2014 season?
MG: I feel we will play better team baseball in 2015, compared to 2014. We were old last year and playing majority of seniors and at times we played as individuals instead of a team. Our guys really bought in this fall to our hitting philosophy and approach so I really feel we will get back to our style of baseball this spring.
PSB: Based on fall workouts, which returnees from 2014 (including redshirts) look best prepared to play a bigger role in 2015?
MG: Matt Buss (SR/LHP) had a solid fall and will be looked on to anchor the rotation. Mike Hyman (SR/OF) had a solid fall at the plate after a good summer playing and Dan Williams (SO/1B) led our team in hitting this fall after a good freshman year.
PSB: Based on fall workouts, which newcomers are most likely to contend for major roles in 2015?
MG: Josh Shimp (FR/SS) had a solid fall and should contend to start at shortstop. On any given day our middle infield could be made up of freshmen.
PSB: Has there been some big off-the-field news from your program since last season? If so, what?
MG: Making the transition to NCAA DII is exciting. It gets us back in the SC/NC/TN area playing in Conference Carolinas, which will renew some games against schools we used to play over a decade ago. We have also been fortunate to have some construction occur the last few months at our facility, most evident would be a clubhouse connected to our home dugout.
Next: Francis Marion
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