2013 preview: Erskine

First of a series
Answers provided by Thomas Holland, Erskine's Director of Baseball Operations

PSB: After what you saw in fall workouts, what are your team's prospects for the 2013 season?

TH: We were a very young team last season, so we returned seven starters on offense and almost our whole pitching staff.  We have a chance to have a really good season as long as we can keep everyone healthy.  We will play a very difficult non conference schedule which should help prepare us for Conference Carolinas play.

PSB: What are your biggest areas of concern entering the 2013 season?

TH: Right now our biggest concern is making sure everyone keeps working out over the break and that we can keep everyone healthy through January. 

PSB: In what areas does your team appear to be improved from the 2012 season?

TH: Our pitching staff has really improved since 2012.  We have more depth that we have ever had and we got Zach McAllister back who was a conference starter as a freshman but missed 2012 with an ACL surgery.  We should also be better offensively, we will return seven of our nine starters from last year and that will be great for our offense.

PSB: Based on fall workouts, which returnees from 2012 (including redshirts) look best prepared to play a bigger role in 2013?

TH: On the mound, Seniors Heath Gray and Taylor Wall will be full time starters this season after splitting 2012 between starting and coming out of the pen.  The will join McAllister as our weekend starters to start the season.  Kit Carter another senior showed that he will anchor down our bull pen along with fellow senior Tyler Jones. 

On offense, senior Drew Willingham will once again anchor down the middle part of our lineup, while junior Chase Corn showed all the tools to be one of the leaders on offense.  Sophomore Logan Galliher picked up where he left off at the end of 2012, hitting the ball all over the field and will be a key cog in the lineup.   Sophomore’s Brandon Wooten and Cody Spence both showed lots of improvement at the plate in the fall and could have an impact for us on offense.  Senior Phillip Herring also showed all fall why he is one of the best defensive catchers in the region.

PSB: Based on fall workouts, which newcomers are most likely to contend for major roles in 2013?

TH: Redshirt freshman Samuel Cothran had an outstanding fall, hitting almost .400 in the fall and has definitely earned a shot to get in our lineup.  Also sophomore transfer Zack Jones proved that he will be our starting shortstop in the fall, making spectacular play after spectacular play in the field while hitting almost .350.

Thursday: USC Salkehatchie