2010 pc baseball - neulion1 presbyterian college baseball 2010 baseball guide h c o a c hni g s taff...

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PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE BASEBALL

2010 BASEBALL GUIDE H www.GoBlueHose.com

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2010 PC BASEBALLTable of Contents

Quick Facts ..............................................................................1Table of Contents .....................................................................1Roster ......................................................................................2Season Preview .......................................................................3Elton Pollock ............................................................................4Mark Johnson ..........................................................................5Chris Edwards ..........................................................................5Kevin Davis ..............................................................................6Lauren Williams .......................................................................6Micah Black .............................................................................7Joe Hammond .........................................................................7Jesse Harmon ..........................................................................7Derek Herron ...........................................................................8Matthew Hill ............................................................................8Chris Powell .............................................................................9Jeff Tatum ................................................................................9Mack Hite ................................................................................9Nate Horton ...........................................................................10Drew Wingo ...........................................................................10Kenny Bryant .........................................................................10Stewart Curry ........................................................................11Andrew Foushee ....................................................................11Will Freeman .........................................................................11Emmett Goodman .................................................................12Gabe Grammer ......................................................................12Tony Micklon .........................................................................12Matt Nodleman .....................................................................13Jordan Pace ...........................................................................13Andrew Williams ...................................................................13Tim Corbin .............................................................................14Aaron Preston ........................................................................14Nick Campo ...........................................................................14Carl Della Torre III ..................................................................15Alex Loftin ..............................................................................15Buck Mosteller.......................................................................15Rodney Scruggs .....................................................................15Steven Richardson .................................................................16Nathan Chong ........................................................................16Josh Ellerbee..........................................................................16Chase Goude .........................................................................16Ryan Morris ...........................................................................17Brandon Paul .........................................................................17Brandon Setzer ......................................................................17Kelly Wright ...........................................................................172009 Season Review ........................................................ 18-20Record Book .................................................................... 21-24Administration .................................................................25, 26Athletic Facilities .............................................................. 27-29Compliance ............................................................................30This is PC ..........................................................................31, 32

Quick FactsMailing Address ............................................. 105 Ashland Ave....................................................................... Clinton, SC 29325Enrollment ........................................................................1,200Founded ............................................................................1880Colors ..................................................... Blue, Garnet & WhitePreferred Moniker ....................................Presbyterian CollegeNickname ................................................................. Blue HoseMascot ....................................................................... ScotsmanAffiliation .................................... NCAA Division I (Transitional)Conference ................................................................ Big SouthFacility (Capacity) ........................... PC Baseball Complex (500)Dimensions ...... 325 (LL), 375 (LC), 400 (CF), 375 (RC), 325 (RL)President ......................................................Dr. John V. GriffithFaculty Athletic Rep ..........................................Dr. Craig PowellInterim Director of Athletics ................................... Mike SmithDirector of Sports Medicine .................................Nelson JonesDirector of Sports Information/Game Ops. ....... Brent C. HagerAssistant SID (Baseball Contact) ......................... AJ HendersonSports Information Telephone .......................... (864) 833-8252Sports Information Fax ..................................... (864) 833-8323Henderson’s Cell Phone .................................... (276) 619-1041Athletic Department Phone (Tickets) ............... (864) 833-8240Head Coach .......................................................... Elton PollockRecord at PC ............................................. 80-193 (6th Season)Overall Record .......................................... 80-193 (6th Season)Assistant Coach .................................................. Mark JohnsonAssistant Coach .................................................. Chris Edwards2009 Record .................................................................... 13-38Total Lettermen Returning/Lost ...................................... 21/11Total Starters Returning/Lost .............................................. 6/4Newcomers............................................................................14

CreditsThe Presbyterian College Baseball Media Guide is a product of the Presbyterian College Sports Information Department. The guide was printed by Printer’s Associates in West

Columbia, S.C. Designer: AJ Henderson. Writers: Brent C. Hager, AJ Henderson, Elton Pollock. Edito-rial Assistance: Brent C. Hager, Thad Palmer, Elton Pollock, Mary Gordon, Mike Smith. Photos: CSI Photography, Paul Collins, Thad Palmer, Billy Morgan. Cover Design: AJ Hen-derson.

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2010 ROSTERNo. Name B-T Pos. Ht. Wt. Class Hometown/Previous School 2 Brandon Paul R-R C 6-0 185 Fr. Augusta, Ga./Aquinas4 Jeff Tatum R-R INF/OF 5-9 170 Sr. Buford, Ga./Truett-McConnell Col.5 Drew Wingo R-R RHP 6-1 190 Jr. Simpsonville, S.C./Mauldin6 Andrew Williams L-R INF 5-9 175 So. Augusta, Ga./Aquinas7 Jesse Harmon L-R RHP/OF 6-2 185 Sr. Newberry, S.C./Newberry8 Nate Chong R-R OF 6-1 180 Fr. Duluth, Ga./Peachtree Ridge9 Steven Richardson L-L LHP 5-10 180 R-So. Howe, Texas/Richland CC10 Matthew Hill R-R INF 5-9 180 Sr. Columbia, S.C./Ridgeview11 Will Freeman R-R RHP 6-4 190 So. Columbia, S.C./AC Flora12 Alex Loftin R-R SS 5-10 165 Jr. Denver, N.C./Rockingham CC13 Andrew Foushee R-R RHP 6-1 180 So. Augusta, Ga./Aquinas14 Mack Hite R-R INF/OF 5-10 185 Jr. Abbeville, S.C./Abbeville15 Gabe Grammer R-R INF/RHP 6-0 185 So. Irmo, S.C./Irmo17 Aaron Preston R-R OF 6-2 200 R-Fr. Goose Creek, S.C./Stratford18 Micah Black R-R RHP 6-5 195 Sr. Iva, S.C./Prince Avenue Prep19 Josh Ellerbee R-R RHP 6-1 170 Fr. Winder, Ga./Winder-Barrow20 Joe Hammond R-R RHP 5-10 180 Sr. Lilburn, Ga./Providence Christian22 Ryan Morris R-R INF 6-2 215 Fr. Jamestown, R.I./North Kingston23 Tony Micklon R-R C/OF 6-1 190 So. Sumter, S.C./Sumter24 Nate Horton L-R C 6-0 225 Jr. Spartanburg, S.C./Byrnes25 Matt Nodelman R-R RHP 6-2 215 So. Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley26 Carl Della Torre III R-R C 5-10 185 Jr. Watkinsville, Ga./AL Southern27 Nick Campo R-R RHP 6-3 215 Jr. Amsterdam, N.Y./Amsterdam28 Chase Goude L-L LHP 6-5 210 Fr. Beaufort, S.C./ Battery Creek29 Kelly Wright L-L LHP 6-5 200 Fr. Myrtle Beach, S.C./St. James30 Chris Powell R-R RHP 6-3 210 Sr. Wilmington, N.C./Louisburg Col.32 Rodney Scruggs R-R RHP 6-0 210 Jr. Harlem, Ga./Andrew College 33 Buck Mosteller R-R RHP 6-1 205 Jr. Woodruff, S.C./USC-Sumter34 Tim Corbin L-L LHP 6-2 205 R-Fr. Murrells Inlet, S.C./St. James36 Derek Herron R-R C/OF 5-7 195 Sr. Aiken, S.C./Virginia Tech38 Justin Setzer L-L LHP 6-2 170 Fr. Waxhaw, N.C./Marvin Ridge39 Jordan Pace L-L LHP 6-3 195 So. Charleston, S.C./James Island40 Stewart Curry L-R RHP 6-3 205 So. Rock Hill, S.C./Rock Hill42 Emmett Goodman R-R RHP 6-0 170 So. Macon, Ga./First Presbyterian Day44 Kenny Bryant L-L INF/OF 6-2 195 So. Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek

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SEASON PREVIEW The 2010 Blue Hose return 21 student-athletes from last year’s squad. Last season’s team finished at 13-38, including a road series sweep over Charleston Southern as well a win over No. 19 Coastal Carolina. However, even with the returning players, the Blue Hose will need to replace the holes left by three departed starting position players. Zach Rhinesmith and Jared Combs started every game at second and third bases, respectively, while Cory Lyda started all but one game in centerfield. Another hole to be filled comes as a result of Andrew Williams fall injury that will sideline him for the 2010 season. Last season Williams was the starting shortstop for all but 11 games. Junior team captain Nate Horton and sophomore Tony Micklon will handle the bulk of the catching duties this season. Both players proved to be vital in controlling the opposition’s running game. Horton finished last season with a .262 batting average and five home runs, while Micklon hit .267 with four home runs. “Our depth at the catching position is one of our strongest assets,” said head coach Elton Pollock. “Both Horton and Micklon give our pitchers tremendous confidence when they are behind the plate.” On the infield corners, sophomore Kenny Bryant should reprise his role at first base after hitting .259 a year with eight homeruns a year ago. At third base, freshman Ryan Morris is expected to step in and do a solid job for the Blue Hose. “Bryant’s playing experience during his freshman campaign should pay dividends for us both offensively and defensively. He will be the most experienced player on the infield this season,” said Pollock. “Morris’ performance from our fall session to date has been steady. He shows tremendous potential, but will have to

grow up in a hurry, as he is expected to handle the everyday duties at third base.” In the middle infield, junior team captain Mack Hite and junior college transfer Alex Loftin should get the bulk of the playing time at second base. At shortstop, Gabe Grammer will make the transition back to the infield after starting in right field for most of last year. Hite hit .311 last season while Grammer posted a .304 average and a .480 slugging percentage. “Hite and Grammer bring a wealth of leadership and game experience back to the infield this year. Loftin should also see time at second base,” said Pollock. “All three players provide us with much needed depth up the middle.” In the outfield, senior Jesse Harmon, redshirt-freshman Aaron Preston and true freshman Nathan Chong should see most of the action. Also in the mix for playing time in the outfield are Micklon and junior college transfer Carl Della Torre. Harmon was a .302 hitter a year ago with seven round-trippers. “Harmon, when not on the mound, will double in the outfield and be charged with leading this talented group this season,” said Pollock. “The versatility of players like Micklon

and Della Torre provide much needed depth in our outfield.” In the pitching rotation, Harmon returns and will be accompanied by newcomer Steven Richardson in the weekend rotation. Other pitchers vying for starting positions are sophomore Jordan Pace, freshman Chase Goude and sophomore Will Freeman. “We will be led by Harmon on the mound. He has been the ace of the staff for a few years now. He will be accompanied by a young talented bunch, especially Richardson, who shows extreme poise on the mound and was very effective in the fall,” said Pollock. “There is currently a great battle for the last weekend spot and our mid-week pitching spot between Pace, Goude, and Freeman. They are all exciting to watch.” “A wealth of experience in the bullpen should prove to be the key to our overall success this season,” said Pollock. “We will be led out of the bullpen by senior team captain Chris Powell, sophomore Andrew Foushee and junior college transfer Rodney Scruggs.” The 2010 schedule features road trips to three SEC schools and two ACC opponents. PC will be at Georgia on February 24, followed by a trip to South Carolina on March 3. The final SEC game is on March 31 at Tennessee. Duke and Clemson make appearances on the schedule as PC will visit Durham on May 11 and travel to Clemson for the final non-conference game of the season on May 18. The Blue Hose will also travel to UCF on March 19-20 for a three-game set. Five home conference series highlight the schedule with Gardner-Webb (March 26-28), UNC Asheville (April 9-11), Charleston Southern (16-18), Liberty (April 23-25) and High Point (May 14-16) coming to the newly renovated PC Baseball Complex. There is also a four-game series against Furman with the local rivals playing twice in Clinton, once at Furman and once at the Greenville Drive Stadium. USC Upstate will come to Clinton twice (Feb. 21, April 7). Other home non-conference games include Appalachian State (March 10) and Eastern Kentucky (March 5-7). “Our game is based on commitment, passion, and being mentally tough,” said Pollock. “If we are able to play as a unit, with great chemistry early, look for good things from the Blue Hose this season.”

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COACHING STAFFElton PollockHead Coach | 6th Season Elton Pollock, a 1995 graduate of Presbyterian College, begins his sixth season as head coach of the Blue Hose baseball program. Pollock follows Tim Corbin and Doug Kovash, respectively, as the third head coach to lead the program since its reinstatement in the mid 1980’s. In 2009, Pollock guided the program to its first-ever victory over a top-20 team, defeating No. 19 Coastal Carolina 7-5 on April 24. February 28 marked the first time in the program’s Division I history that the team swept an opposing squad, downing Conference USA foe UAB. On May 12, Pollock’s squad defeated The Citadel, snapping an 18-game losing streak that spanned 81 years. On March 22, the Blue Hose picked up their first-ever Big South win, a 5-4 home victory over Radford. Just over a month later, PC completed its first three-game sweep of a conference foe in Division I, coming against Charleston Southern. Against other in-state rivals, PC knocked off USC Upstate and Wofford. The team showed its poise against multiple top-25 teams, pushing No. 10 Georgia Tech to extra innings before falling 9-8. The squad also held a late lead on top-20 South Carolina. PC won three of its final four games of the season behind strong pitching and dominant hitting, resulting in its second series victory over a Big South team. The 2008 season was the initial NCAA Division I campaign for the Blue Hose. Under Pollock, the team completed the year with 13 wins, which included the programs first DI series win over Marist. The program also experienced monumental wins over UAB and UNC Charlotte, who at the time was undefeated and nationally ranked. The program made additional strides versus major SEC and ACC opponents South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and Clemson. The Blue Hose fell in 10 innings of competition to South Carolina (1-2), Tennessee (8-9), and Virginia Tech (4-5). The Clemson game was played at the Greenville Drive Stadium and featured more than 5,000 fans. Off the field, Pollock was named the 2007-08 Presbyterian College Advocate of the Year for demonstrating evidence of successful student advocacy and performance above and beyond the call of duty while serving multiple roles within the campus community. In 2007, Pollock and the Blue Hose finished their final NCAA Division II season with their highest winning percentage under his guidance. They finished the year with 13 home wins.

In Pollock’s 2006 campaign the team finished with 19 wins, including seven league victories. The Blue Hose finished the season on a winning note in the South Atlantic Conference tournament with a win over conference foe Wingate. In 2005, Pollock’s initial season as head coach, the Blue Hose made great strides down the stretch. In the 2005 Food Lion South Atlantic Tournament they lost their initial game to top seed Catawba, but bounced back and eliminated Mars Hill and Newberry to advance to the semifinals. Prior to his return to PC as head coach, Pollock served as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2004 season, while doubling as owner/operator of The Diamond League, Inc. (professional indoor baseball training facility) in Laurens, SC. During the 2002-2003 academic year Pollock served as the full-time assistant for the Blue Hose baseball program. That season the Blue Hose won its second South Atlantic Conference Tournament championship in school history and earned a regional appearance. Pollock, a former two-sport standout at Presbyterian College from 1992-1995, returned to his alma mater in 2002 after spending seven years in the business world. While attending PC, Pollock earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with a minor in Computer Science. He was a three-year letter winner with the football team and a four-year letter winner with the baseball team. Pollock finished an impressive baseball career at PC and is still in the top five in many career offensive categories, including homeruns (34), slugging percentage (.616), triples (11), runs scored (169), and total bases (382). Following his graduation, Pollock was drafted in the 15th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He spent three years in their minor league system before retiring in 1997. During his time with Pittsburgh, Pollock was mentored by the late Major League Hall of Famer Willie Stargell. He finished his professional career with a .250 batting average, 25 doubles, seven homeruns, and 49 stolen bases. Pollock was named “Player of the Month” for the entire organization for his play in August of 1995. That same year he helped lead the Augusta Greenjackets to the South Atlantic League Championship. Pollock is married to the former Karen Prioleau of Greenville, SC, and the couple has three daughters: Madison (7), Lauren (5), and their newest addition Jordan Christina (1). The family lives in Laurens, S.C.

The Pollock File

Hometown: Irmo, S.C.High School: Irmo H.S.Alma Mater: Presbyterian CollegeWife: KarenChildren: Madison (7)Lauren (5)Jordan (1)

Coaching History:Presbyterian College (HC) 04-Pres.Presbyterian College (AC) 02-03

Professional Playing History:Augusta Greenjackets (1995) (A)Erie Sea Wolves (1995) (A-ss)Augusta Greenjackets (1996) (A)

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COACHING STAFF

Chris EdwardsAssistant Coach | 2nd Season Chris Edwards is in his second season with the Presbyterian College baseball team. His primary responsibilities will involve coaching the Blue Hose catchers and assisting with hitting and recruiting duties. Edwards had a strong core behind the plate as Nate Horton, Drew Wingo and Tony Micklon all saw valuable time. He assisted the team in raising the batting average from .267 the year before his arrival to .294 in 2009. Edwards comes from a head coaching position with the Spartanburg Blue Eagles of the Southern Collegiate Summer Baseball League, where he coached PC players Nate Horton and Mack Hite. He led the Blue Eagles to win the 2008 Southern Division Championships. Prior to coaching in the summer league, Edwards earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina in May 2008. While in law school, he also spent time as an instructor at the Potential Sports Academy in Spartanburg, S.C. Edwards taught kids of all ages the basics of hitting, fielding and pitching. Before attending law school, Edwards was an assistant softball coach at Furman University in 2005. He coached the hitters, outfielders and catchers and assisted in

practice and gameday planning alongside head coach Dana Jenkins. The Paladins finished third at the Southern Conference tournament. The Taylors, S.C. native started his coaching career at his alma mater, Anderson University where he served as the head junior varsity and assistant varsity coach from 2002-2004. In addition to helping coach hitters and catchers, Edwards coordinated all the recruiting efforts for head coach Joe Miller. Edwards was a four-year starter for the Trojans, alternating between third base, catcher and shortstop from 1998-2001. He was named to the NAIA All-Sectional First Team at catcher in his sophomore year after driving in 52 runs and posting a .319 average. He graduated as Anderson’s career leader in at-bats and games played and was second all-time in career hits, doubles and RBIs. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelors’ of Science in Business Management from Anderson in 2001 and received his M.B.A. from Clemson in August of 2007. Edwards currently resides in Greenville with his wife, Jennifer. Their first son, CJ was born on September 1, 2009.

The Edwards File

Hometown: Taylors, S.C.High School: Wade Hampton (G) H.S.College: Anderson University

Coaching History:Spartanburg Blue Eagles (HC) 2008Furman University (AC) 2005Anderson University (AC) 2002-04

Mark JohnsonAssistant Coach | 7th Season Mark Johnson begins his seventh season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Blue Hose. He has established himself has an outstanding recruiter. His recent recruiting classes have been some of the best in the program’s history. In the last two seasons Johnson has also been instrumental in developing these players throughout the Division I transition. Johnson has been a tremendous asset as the pitching coach. In 2009, Johnson’s pitchers led the way in the school first ever Big South Conference sweep over Charleston Southern University as well as big wins over No. 19 Coastal Carolina University, UAB, The Citadel and wins in the program’s first year competing in the Big South Conference. Under the direction of Johnson, Mitchell Odom was named to the Big South All-Academic team. In 2008, Ben Dollar signed a free-agent contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Also, during PC’s inaugural Division I season Johnson’s pitchers helped guide PC to their first-ever Division I win over UNC-Asheville, first Division I sweep of Marist College and impressive wins over Yale, Wofford, UAB and USC-Upstate. Prior to coming to PC, he spent three years as an

assistant baseball coach at NCAA Division III Piedmont College in Demorest, Ga. Throughout his tenure with the Lions, he assisted in recruiting, fundraising, field maintenance and on-field instruction specializing with the pitching staff, while helping lead the program to a pair of National Christian College World Series Tournament appearances and the 2003 National Christian College South Region Championship. During his playing career, Johnson was a four-year letterwinner at Methodist University as a pitcher. Johnson was a two-year captain, an all-South Region selection and an SGA Senior Athlete of the Year. He made three NCAA III South Regional tournament appearances in ’98, ’99, ’01. In 1997, he helped lead Lee-Davis High School in Mechanicsville, Va., to the first Virginia Class 3-A state championship in the school’s history as a senior. Johnson earned a bachelor of science degree in sports management with a minor in business administration from Methodist in 2001. He later earned his MBA from Piedmont College in May of 2003. Johnson is married to former Shannon Paitsell of Evans, Ga., and the couple resides in Greenwood, S.C.

The Johnson File

Hometown: Mechanicsville, Va. High School: Lee-Davis H.S.College: Methodist College

Coaching History:Piedmont College (AC) 2001-03Presbyterian College (AC) 2004-Pr.

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COACHING/SUPPORT STAFFKevin DavisVol. Asst. Coach | 1st Season Kevin is entering his first season as the volunteer assistant coach at Presbyterian College. Davis spent the last four seasons playing professionally, most recently with the Kalamazoo Kings of the Independent League. In addition to his coaching duties, he is also finishing up his degree at Lander University. Davis played his prep ball for Seattle’s Renton H.S. He was a four-year varsity player as a pitcher and a shortstop. He claimed all-league honors three times in the middle infield and hit .505 as a senior. After High School he attened Bellevue Community College for two seasons, earning Gold Glove honors in 2004. In 2004, Davis transferred to Lander University where he played shortstop and third base. Achieved a .350 career batting average for Lander.

He signed to a free agent contract in 2006 by the Atlanta Braves, playing two seasons in the Braves’ organization before being released in 2008. In 2007, he had a 2.24 ERA with the Orlando Braves of the Gulf Coast League. Following his tenure with the Braves, Davis signed with the Kalamazoo Kings of the Frontier League. He played one season in Michigan. In 2009, he was to play for the Atlatntic City Surf of the Can-Am League. However, the team which was to be coached by Cecil Fielder folded before the start of the season. He is currently still enrolled as a student at Lander University where he his finishing his degree in history. He also served as an instructor at the Carolina Spikes Performance Academy in Greenwood where he coached the 15-16 year old Carolina Spikes Select Team before joining the Blue Hose staff.

Lauren WilliamsAthletic Trainer | 3rd Season Lauren Williams begins her third year with Presbyterian College. Williams is the primary athletic trainer for the Blue Hose baseball team and cheerleading squad in addition to being the assistant athletic trainer for the football team. She also contributes to the rehabilitation and treatment of other Presbyterian College student-athletes in the Kemper D. Lake Sports Medicine Center and at the Clinton YMCA. Williams joined PC after a three-year stint at North Carolina Wesleyan College. While there she worked primarily with the football and baseball teams, with whom she traveled to the DIII College World Series. Prior to NCWC, Williams was a graduate assistant at Virginia Military Institute while completing her master’s of education in athletic training at the University of Virginia

in August 2004. During her time at VMI, she assisted with football and was the primary athletic trainer for baseball as well as providing care to other student-athletes and the Corps of Cadets. UVA furthered the undergraduate education Williams received from Elon University. While at Elon, Williams was part of the athletic training education program which afforded her the opportunity to work with the Phoenix’s women’s soccer, women’s basketball and football teams. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s of science in May of 2003. A native of Herndon, Va., Williams now resides in Clinton.

The Davis File

Hometown: Seattle, Wash.High School: Renton HighCollege: Lander University

The Williams File

Hometown: Herndon, Va.College: Elon University University of Virginia

2010 pc baseball - neulion1 presbyterian college baseball 2010 baseball guide h c o a c hni g s taff...

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