Seventeenth 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)
Information provided by Ryan Real, sports information director at PC
The Presbyterian College baseball season begins this weekend as the Blue Hose host Delaware State for a four-game series that begins on Friday at 2 p.m. The 2015 campaign will fuse an experienced corps with a large amount of newcomers who head coach Elton Pollock expects to make up a fast, determined team.
“I like this group,” said Pollock. “I like this team a lot. I think our strong suit will be our ability to defend and throw strikes. We’re still working on our offensive identity, but we want to make sure guys know what their roles are and how to push runs across.”
Big South Conference coaches selected PC to finish 10th in the League’s annual preseason poll, but a strong group of arms and a sure-handed infield have the Blue Hose thinking higher.
Pollock points to the mound as an asset this season, with good reason. Senior Beau Dees (Blenheim.) will lead the starting pitching staff, healthy and ready to take the ball on Fridays. Sophomores Hayden Deal (Newton, N.C.) and Brian Kehner (Marietta, Ga.) return after starting a combined 13 midweek games last season, as will junior Aaron Lesiak (Greenville), who found his role on the team with 17 appearances and 10 starts in 2014.
The Blue Hose coaching staff also expects big things from newcomers Tanner Chock (Loris), David Sauer (Irmo), Cole Norwood (Darlington), Craig Williams (Duluth, Ga.) and Russell Thompson (Alcolu), among others.
“Beau pitching against anybody gives us a chance to win,” said Pollock. “Sauer and Norwood come in from junior college where they pitched big games in the playoffs. They know what it takes it pitch at a high level and they have that experience and mentality.”
A deeper pitching staff means a beefed-up bullpen as well. Sophomore Ethan Wortkoetter (Greer) returns after a stellar freshman campaign that saw the rookie make a team-high 30 appearances, earn four saves and hold opponents to a .248 batting average. Trey Hayes (Belton) and Michael Trebendis (Fayetteville, Ga.) will join him in the bullpen and the staff will receive a boost from redshirt senior Chad White (Suwanee, Ga.), who will return from injury and pitch for the first time since 2012.
“From top to bottom, we have guys who can throw strikes,” Pollock said. “We have power arms and sidearm guys who can give us a chance to win.”
The Blue Hose have built a strong defense behind the pitchers. Senior Jay Lizanich (Greer) takes his customary position at shortstop, where he will throw to career .305 hitter Jacob Midkiff (Greer) at first base this season. Freshman Ryan Hedrick (High Point, N.C.) will man the hot corner at third and sophomore Glen Casaceli (Jupiter, Fla.) will likely hold down second base.
“Our goal is a .980 fielding percentage,” said Pollock. “If we go .980, we’ll lead the Big South.”
The gloves stay just as strong moving to the outfield. Veteran senior Brandon Martin (Gray Court) will set up shop in left and dynamic centerfielder Tyler Weyenberg (Marietta, Ga.) will patrol centerfield, returning after a freshman season where he and Martin played in 82 games and committed zero errors. Weston Jackson (Greer) hit .300 last season, made several highlight reel catches and will aim to make more for his junior season as a utility outfielder.
PC will look to regain its form at the plate after a season that saw Midkiff lead the squad with a .321 batting average. Returning slugger Cam McRae (Darlington) hit five home runs in 2014 and will split catching duties with freshman TJ Richardson (Sugar Hill, Ga.). Newcomer Peter Johnson (Seattle, Wash.), a transfer from St. Johns River State College, should add power as a designated hitter and can also play outfield. New faces Patrick Burt (Cayce) and Rob Koski (Bel Air, Md.) will also see time at the plate.
The season schedule starts with four home games out of 23 at the PC Baseball Complex this season. The team plays its last home game on April 26 before embarking on 11 straight regular season road games—six of them in conference—to try and qualify for their first-ever Big South Conference Championship tournament berth.
“Our schedule is 100 percent challenging,” Pollock said. “A lot of teams got better and we still travel to our SEC and ACC opponents. We were so close in so many games last year, but this team is back. This team is ready.”
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