Feb. 5, 2008

Now in his second season, Metro State head coach Bobby Pierce is excited about this year's group and the balance this season's Roadrunners bring to the diamond. Although last year's team went 17-35 in Pierce's first season, it ended well with two wins in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament, including a win over regular-season champion Mesa State, and Pierce hopes that Metro State can use that winning attitude to start the 2008 campaign off on a positive note.

However, Pierce is the first to tell you that this year's group is a completely new team and that no one is dwelling on last season. The Roadrunners return 17 letterwinners from 2007, but also welcome 14 newcomers, including three potential starting pitchers.

"I'm excited about our balance this season," said Pierce. "We bring a several things to the field. We are athletic and fast on the bases and in the field, we have legitimate power in the middle of the lineup and our depth is a huge key."

Metro State, who ranked second in the RMAC in steals last season, again brings speed to the basepaths and the field, but Pierce also has several guys who can hit for power in the middle of the lineup to boost offensive production.

"We have a fast lineup," said Pierce. "Our overall athleticism should give opposing pitchers problems. We will have a lot of guys who can steal bases, but also have guys with pop in their bats."

Also cause for celebration around Denver so far this winter has been the weather. Pierce and the Roadrunners have gotten out on the field several times already this preseason and hope to play several home series during the month of February. After last season, when Metro State played just seven games in the entire month of February and none at home, Pierce is hoping for several weeks of games before conference play begins the first week of March.

Pitchers

With 12 pitchers on the mound in 2008, Pierce is excited for the number of options that he has against opposing hitters. With six pitchers competing for four starting spots, he knows that he will also have a couple of quality arms ready out of the bullpen or for a midweek start. Pierce also is enthused about the attitude of his pitchers as they push each other every day in practice.

Penciled in at the No. 1 and 2 starters are two newcomers, junior college transfers Joel Lockhart and Steven Green. Both local products, they are very competitive with a live fastball, as well as quality second and third pitches.

"Joel and Steven are both very competitive," said Pierce. "They have had successful junior college careers and one of them will be our Friday night starter."

Competing for the other two starting roles are seniors Josh Eckert and Armando Casas, sophomore Ted Jamison and junior college transfer Ryan Eccles. Casas led the team in appearances last season with 19, while Eckert has started his previous three seasons in Denver. Jamison came on late last year and made 10 starts, earning three wins. Eccles, from California, has a solid frame and a live arm.

"There is so much competition for the starting spots that it can only make the bullpen that much better," said Pierce. "We have quality depth and can give opposing hitters different looks."

Six others will be competing in the bullpen, all returning players from a year ago. Matt Backes, a 6-foot-5 righty who saw some time as a late-inning stopper last season, has solid velocity. Derek Colbert has a side-arm delivery, while Tony Weber, who made 16 appearances a year ago, throws a large percentage of strikes. Also returning is lefty specialist Pete Klingsmith and sophomore righty Hudson Beasley. Junior Tyler Hensen could also see time in the bullpen this year after catching a year ago, as well as freshman Joey Widhalm.

"We have a great opportunity to match up well late in the game with our opponents," said Pierce. "We have lots of different looks in the bullpen."

Catchers

The catching corps is led by ABCA/Rawlings all-America third team selection Reece Gorman. Gorman, the RMAC Preseason Player of the Year, is a senior veteran who will be counted on to take charge of the young pitching staff. He is also a solid bat in the lineup, and can hit for average, drive in runs and steal bases, as he had 28 swipes in 34 attempts last year. Giving Gorman an occasional breather will be freshman Brett Bowman. Bowman, a Colorado Springs native, has a good feel for the game defensively and will help out the bottom of the lineup. Also seeing time behind the plate is utilityman Tyree Abshire. Abshire, a transfer from Trinidad State JC, is a big, strong presence at the plate and will also see time at first base and designated hitter.

"If Reece is not the best player in the league, he is one of the best," said Pierce. "He has so many weapons. He has a strong arm, is potent with the bat and can also steal. He has tremendous instincts and has the experience to take charge of our staff. Brett will give Reece some days off and has a great feel for the game defensively. Tyree has a great bat and gives us options at several positions."

Infield

First Base

Along with the outfield, Pierce says that first base is his most competitive position on the field going into the season. Senior Josh Marner returns for his second season in a Roadrunner uniform after starting all but one game and hitting .278 last year Alex Krohn returns for his senior season after breaking his foot early in 2007 and sitting out with a medical redshirt. Krohn started 16 games in 2006 and hit .226. Also pushing for a starting role at first base is junior college transfer Tyree Abshire. Abshire, who can also catch, is a powerful bat who is expected to contribute in the middle of the lineup. In addition, all three players expect to see time at designated hitter.

"Alex and Josh are both leaders for this ballclub and push each other," said Pierce. "They make each other better. Tyree is also a versatile player who has a solid bat and will be in the lineup at first base, designated hitter or catcher. All three elevate each other's game."

Third Base

Pierce has several options at the other corner infield spot, although all are somewhat unproven. After playing second and shortstop during his first two seasons, junior Dakota Nahm moves to the corner in 2008. Nahm, an all-RMAC honorable mention choice as a 2006 freshman before struggling at times last year, had a great fall and is healthy again. Also seeing time at the corner are two freshmen, Jordan Stouffer and Garrett Steinert. Stouffer is a great athlete who is getting better every day, while Steinert provides depth and a left-handed bat.

"We expect great things out of Dakota this season," said Pierce. He is healthy and had a great preseason. Jordan will be special in this program and he is improving every day. Garrett gives us an offensive weapon off the bench with his left-handed bat."

Middle Infield

Pierce is excited about his middle infielders, but also knows they need to stay healthy as he does not have a lot of depth at second base and shortstop. Getting the nod at short to start the season is junior college transfer Matt McConnell. McConnell, who hits lefthanded, provides a great glove and is expected to step right in at the top or bottom of the lineup. Troy Spahn, a senior who returns in 2008 after sitting out with an injury in 2007, moves from the outfield to second base this season. Spahn hit .276 and stole 11 bases during his 2006 junior season and also gives the Roadrunners some speed in the lineup. If McConnell or Spahn struggle or suffer an injury, Nahm can move back to the middle infield from third base.

Pierce and Metro State will miss two-year starter Tommy Frikken, who reinjured his shoulder in the preseason and will miss the season after surgery.

"Matt is a great defender at short," said Pierce. "He has a quick release and gives us another left-handed bat. Troy has had an extra year to get a grasp of the new position and should steal some bases for us," said Pierce.

Outfield

The outfield, along with first base, is the most competitive spot on the diamond, and is certainly the deepest group on the field for Pierce. He returns four players from last season, including three with at least 23 starts a year ago. That doesn't include the six newcomers fighting hard for a spot in the lineup.

Expected to start in left field is three-year starter Jake Palmer. Palmer, who ranks fourth all-time at Metro State in doubles and eighth all-time in RBI, hit .389 last season with a team-leading 53 RBI. Palmer is a great bat in the middle of the lineup and he can work a walk as easily as hitting a home run. Also returning in the outfield are sophomore Marcel Dominguez and senior Michael Molinar. Dominguez will see time in right field, while Molinar is competing in center. Dominguez started 36 games a year ago and stole 10 bases, while Molinar made 23 starts. Also returning and competing in left is Nick Columbia. Columbia appeared in 17 games last season, mostly as a pinch hitter.

"Jake gives us great offensive production in the middle of the lineup," said Pierce. "He also has great discipline and could lead the league in walks. His high on-base percentage is a true indicator that he is a team contributor. Marcel's defense has gotten better and he is aggressive, while Michael is a veteran on this team. He is perhaps our best defensive outfielder and gives us another left-handed bat."

Several of the newcomers figure to challenge right away for a starting nod as well. Eric Mansfield, a junior college transfer from Reno, Nev., is a highly-touted center fielder with great pop in the bat. Brennan Brown, a freshman from Denver, Colo., has a mix of speed and power, as well as a tremendous work ethic and will see time in right field. Two other freshmen, Mike Coffey (left field) and Taylor Zambard (center field) are also competing in the outfield.

"Eric has a chance to be one of the top players in the RMAC," said Pierce. "He is athletic and will be a key offensive contributor for us. Brennan is a great combination of speed and power who has a shot at being an everyday guy. Mike has as much potential as anybody, while Taylor has several weapons that will help us win."

Nick Naegele, a junior college transfer, and Joey Widhalm, a freshman, could also see time in the outfield as the season progresses. Naegele is injured to start the year, while Widhalm is also a relief pitcher.

The 40-game RMAC slate comprises much of the season for Pierce and the Roadrunners, but Metro State also is excited for the opportunity to play three nonconference series at home prior to the start of conference play against Colorado Christian, Feb. 29. The Roadrunners open the season against Nebraska-Kearney, Feb. 9-10, before hosting Hastings, Feb. 16-17, and Concordia (Neb.), Feb. 23-24.

Also on this year's schedule are nonconference games against Northern Colorado, the Air Force junior varsity squad and conference foes Colorado School of Mines and CSU-Pueblo.

"We're excited to start our schedule at home with three solid opponents," said Pierce. "It's been great to be outside already and work on live experience. That wasn't the case last year. The level of the RMAC is always getting better and everyone had a good recruiting class. It will be a dogfight again this season."

With better balance on the mound and throughout the lineup, stronger pitching and a talented class of newcomers, Pierce is confident the Roadrunners will improve upon last year's third-place RMAC Mountain Division finish and advance to their third consecutive RMAC Tournament.