Rat Pack Baseball

2008 Season Preview

 

 

“UNFINISHED BUSINESS” is the theme of the 2008 season, as Willie “Rat” McGowan Sr. takes the diamond for the 37^th season.  With an early departure from the 2007 SWAC Championship Tournament, McGowan’s “RAT PACK” will bring a more intensified focus on their goal, “THE SWAC TITLE.”  With the completion of the new stadium, the Braves will have the luxury of playing a true home schedule.  Armed with ľ of last year's rotation, that led the Southwestern Athletic Conference in ERA with 5.30, McGowan feels the 2008 version of ASU might have what it takes.

 

2007 REVIEW

 

2007 was a year of inconsistency for ASU.  Trying to establish a sound rotation and a complete reshuffling of its infield the Braves got off to a 3-4 start. After the rotation settled down with four right-handers, Darryl Jordan (Chicago, IL), Joseph Gonzalez (East Los Angeles, CA), Francisco Garcia (New York, NY) and Donald Nixon (Picayune, MS), the Braves settled down to win eight of its next ten games.  Ironically, the ASU defense, which led the SWAC in fielding percentage, fell apart in an early conference sweep at the hands of Mississippi Valley State University.  Alcorn circled the wagons as they won on the road at Southern; then took two road series at Jackson State University (2007 SWAC Eastern Champions) and Alabama A&M.  No established relief ace proved costly for ASU, as they lost five games by 3 or less runs with late leads in the last quarter of the season.  Post season play mirrored the regular season as the Braves lost a nail biter to Southern in the first round 2-1, defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 9-2 and fell to Southern again in an elimination game.

 

Despite its shortcomings, 2007 was a fruitful year for the Braves.  Outfielder Marcus Davis (1st team ALL South Central Team, 1^st team Black College Baseball, 1^st Team ALL SWAC) was drafted in the 18^th round by the Pittsburg Pirates.  Second baseman Shawn Taylor was also selected as 1^st team Black College Baseball and 1^st team ALL SWAC.  Additional honors went to Joseph Gonzalez, 2^nd team ALL SWAC, and relief pitcher Lee Johnson, 2^nd team Black College Baseball.

 

THE SCHEDULE

The true comforts of home will be an asset for the Braves in 2008 as their 46 game schedules includes 28 home games, with 16 of the first 17 being played at the “reservation.”  The home slate will see its familiar 12 eastern divisional games (8-4 in 2007) against Alabama A&M on February 29^th and March 1^st, Alabama State on March 7^th & 8^th, Mississippi Valley State on April 25^th & 26^th  and Jackson State on April 2^nd & 3^rd.  Other home dates are; February 22^nd & 23^rd against Texas Southern University, February 26^th against Tougaloo College, March 14^th & 15^th against Jarvis Christian, March 25^th against Southern University, April 1^st against Rust College and May 6^th and 7^th against Southeastern Louisiana and Grambling State.

 

ASU will have completed a quarter of its season before it goes on the road.  The Braves first road date starts in Baton Rouge on March 11^th against Southern.  Then, the Braves will have four consecutive road SWAC series (7-5 in 2007) starting with MVSU on March 21^st & 22, JSU on March 28^th & 29^th, AAMU on April 4^th & 5^th and Alabama St. on April 11^th & 12^th.  Alcorn wraps up its road travels with trips to Louisiana on April15^th (GSU) & 22^nd (SELA) and a trip to Pine Bluff, Arkansas on April 29^th. 

 

The 2008 SWAC Baseball Championship tournament will be held on the campus of Southern University from May 14-19.  The winners of the two four team brackets will face off in the Inaugural SWAC Championship Game.

 

THE PITCHERS

 

The ASU pitching rotation will be a key component of 2008 as three of its four starters return from 2007.  Returning are junior, Darryl Jordan (5-4, 63.2-IP, 41-SO); seniors, Francisco Garcia (5-3, 62.2-IP, 46-SO) and Donald Nixon (1-1, 27-IP, 11-SO). With the SWAC title the primary goal, this veteran group must improve on last year's numbers; 5.30 ERA (1st in the SWAC), .277 OP AVG (3^rd in the SWAC), 25 wins (4^th in the SWAC).  Alcorn must secure the back end of their rotation, after the loss of Joseph Gonzalez, 2^nd team ALL SWAC, and his 8-2 record.  Newcomers Kyle Thomas (Jamaica, NY), Terrell Johnson (East Point, GA) and freshman Cedric Pomerlee (Indianola, MS) gives McGowan three capable arms for mid-week starters and could push for time on the weekends.  Thomas splited time as a starter and closer at Salem Community College striking out 37 batters in 32.1 innings.  Johnson, a 6’5 power lefty from Coahoma Community College, is another option for the Braves that could be used in the rotation or secure the back end of the staff in relief.  Drafted in the 33^rd round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pomerlee, a 6’4 power lefty, will contribute early but be a major factor in the future of the ASU baseball.

 

Last year saw numerous collapses in the bullpen with12 losses when tied or leading after the 6^th inning.  After a major overhaul to the bullpen, senior Lee Johnson (Hayward, CA) is the only holdover from last year bullpen staff.  Johnson led the team with a 3.03 ERA in 38.2 innings, leading to his 2^nd team selection on the BCB ELITE TEAM.  Right-hander Tony Gonzales (Littleton, CO) will take over the closer role, where he flourished going 2-2, 4 saves, and 45 innings pitched at Yavapai College.  Kyle Thomas and Terrell Johnson could also see important innings from the bullpen.  Sophomore Marcus Luster ( Chicago,IL) returns after a medical red shirt in 2007.  Luster’s innings will primarily come as a spot starter and in long relief.  Freshmen Josh Brumfield (Flowood, MS), Joshua Roberts (New Orleans, LA) and Marsalis Charles (Cincinnati, OH) are three lefties that will compete for early innings as freshmen, but will bring huge dividends as they mature.

 

 

THE CATCHERS

 

With the return of sophomore David Reed (Chicago, IL), the Braves have established some stability behind the plate.  Catching 44 of 45 games, Reed numbers tapered off late in the season, but was tied for 3^rd on the team in extra base hits with 16 (8-2B, 3-3B, & 5-HR).  JC transfer, Joel Anthony Del Grande (Scarborough, CN), gives McGowan an additional threat from the left side of the plate (.336 AVG, 11-2B, 5-HR, 34 RBI).  Del Grande, a great communicator, is a superb catch and throw guy that will be crucial to the development of ASU’s young lefties.  Junior backstop Quintillius Billings (Shelby, MS) will provide Alcorn a strong bat off the bench and will compete for at bats as the designated hitter.

 

 

THE INFIELD

 

Defense is a key component of any championship caliber team, and the Braves look to continue the efforts of 2007 when they lead the SWAC with a .961 fielding percentage.  Anchoring the corners of the infield are seniors Jeffery Jones (Greenville, MS) and Brandon Pearce (New Augusta, MS).  McGowan will not only look for leadership in the field with these seniors, but also look for this combo (.320, 25-2B, 5-HR, 55-RBI) to anchor the middle of his offense. Run production will centered on Pearce who cruised under the radar of seniors Davis, Taylor and Caleb Betschart who combined to hit .340, collecting 35-2B, 10-3B, 25-HR and driving in 126 runs.  Jones has continued to mature as a hitter as his sophomore campaign saw him hit over .300 and last season saw his power number and bat control improve.  His ability to drive in runs in 2008 will be a huge indicator of the Braves' success.

 

Finding stability in the middle infield will be priority number one early in the season as the Braves will have their 4^th double play tandem in 4 years.  Leading the way are junior Adrian Bowens (Lumberton, MS) and senior transfer Jessie Buchanan (Anniston, AL). Bowens, drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2005 prior to attending Pearl River JC, will be the man in the middle.  A long rangy athlete, Bowens will be asked to make the routine plays while doing the little things offensively where he excels. Buchanan will have to fill the void left by 1^st team ALL SWAC & BCB ELITE TEAM Shawn Taylor, who was second on the team in all offensive categories.  “JJ” will look to continue the tradition of high productivity of Braves second basemen, after hitting 276 and driving in 14 runs in limited at bats while playing at Prairie View A&M.

 

Newcomers Edgar Alvarez (Phoenix, AZ) is a defensive dynamo that will see lots of time late in games and push both Bowens and Buchanan for at bats.  Reynaldo Cortez (Houston, TX) is another all around player that could see time at second base.  Rounding out the infield are speedsters Siron Blount (Chicago, IL), Brandon Hollins (Yazoo City, MS) and Rodney Warren (Meridian, MS)

 

THE OUTFIELD

 

The Braves will have to completely revamp its outfield after the departure of starters Davis, Betschart and leadoff hitter Chris Lloyd.  McGowan will have plenty of offense to replace as these three combined to hit .311, and was responsible for scoring 39% of the runs, drove in 39% of the runs, while stealing 62% of the bases.   Stepping into the mix will be Brian Scott (Greenville, MS), last year's number four outfielder and part-time designated hitter. A combination of speed and power in a small frame, “B-Scott” is Alcorn’s stick of dynamite.  This young man will be look to be a key table setter for the offense, and rove the cavernous depth of centerfield at ASU Baseball Stadium.  Joining Scott in the outfield will be freshman Causton Merchant (St. Thomas, VI) and JC transfer Jabari Graham (Tacoma Park, MD).  The arrival of Graham will help offset the loss of Davis, after hitting .411, using 12 doubles and four homeruns to drive in 51 runs for Salem Community College. Graham will be flanking Scott in right field, and will limit the opposing teams’ opportunities to take extra bases.  Merchant will start his freshman campaign in left field.  He proved to be a sparkplug, and this switch hitter will gather at bats at the top of the line-up.  Defensively, he’s a versatile athlete that can play numerous positions and be the Braves' super utility guy.

 

Additional outfielders that will be asked to make various contributions are Omar Thomas (Collierville, TN), Ansley Hudson (Philadelphia, MS), Karlos Ferbos (New Orleans, LA), Brandon Dulaney (Belzoni, MS) and pitchers, Brumfield and Roberts.  Hudson a speed guys could see time on the base paths.  Thomas, Brumfield, and Roberts could get early at bats off the bench or as  designated hitters.

 

DESIGNATED HITTER

 

After gathering 88 at bats last season in a part time role, sophomore Robert Harris (Valdosta, GA), enters the season as the starter.  “RJ” showed flashes of great potential last season handling right-handers and lefties, clutch hits as a starter and off the bench, and patience with a .383 on base percentage.  Billings, Terrell Johnson and Del Grande could also see time as the designated hitter as well.