The Sewanee baseball team returns six starters, its top three pitchers and its lead hitter from a year ago. Those factors, combined with a talented crop of newcomers should help the Tigers find a way to get back in the thick of the SCAC Eastern Division race in 2010.
As with every team in baseball, Sewanee will sink or swim based on its pitching staff. Once again, the top of the rotation looks to be headed by Greg Bartleski. The senior was a tough luck pitcher last season, losing his last three starts 3-2, 2-1, and 2-1 — surrendering two earned runs in those three complete game outings. The rest of the rotation will be filled by a combination of four or five others. Senior Logan Ray, junior Chris Mauro, and sophomore Wilson Nealy all have ample starting experience under their belts. Junior Taylor Irwin will get back on the mound after a two-year hiatus and could be a big part of the staff in relief. Sophomore Ryne Sullivan can fill in as needed, also. Frosh Chase Riemer, Scott Ward, Jacob Simpson, Colin Barrera, Blake Williams, Hugh Osteen and Alan Komorwoski will contend for starts and significant innings. While much of the staff will be inexperienced, the Tigers have increased the talent level and depth of the pitching corps.
Behind the plate, the Tigers again will look to a youngster to fill most of the innings. Freshman Michael Joseph has been impressive in fall and early season workouts and looks to be the regular catcher. He will be spelled by Mauro, converted freshman outfielder Allen Thigpen, and sophomore utility man Thomas Pillow.
Replacing four-year starter Taylor Burns at first base will be tough, but Mauro swung a potent bat in the fall and should be the guy there. He will be pushed by junior Scott Willis. Riemer and Thigpen can also fill in at first. Junior Franklin Pogue will make the move from shortstop to second, his natural position. Sophomore Connor Liston looks to be the starter at short after battling several injuries in '09. Two-time All-SCAC performer Irwin returns at third. Senior Mac McCallum and freshman Williams can play third, short and second and will push for time at all three spots. Pillow can also play third and second.
Last year's centerfielder, junior Joe Reilly will move to right field to take advantage of his increased arm strength and allow frosh Komorwoski, a fleet-footed outfielder, to move to center. Left field could be manned by several candidates throughout the season. Returning starter Rascoe Dean, a senior, is a candidate along with Riemer, Sullivan, and Pillow. Junior Will Farley and soph Andrew Bradshaw both run well and can play all three spots.
Offensively, the Tigers should be led by Irwin and Pogue. Reilly and Dean have turned in solid seasons in the past and Mauro should be solid. Joseph, Komorowski and Riemer could add some spark to the line up. Liston has shown spurts of being a tough out. Many offensive questions will have to be sorted out over the first few weeks of the season as the Tigers have had little opportunity to get on the field due to an unusually harsh winter.
Simply put, if the Tigers can find a way to score 34 more runs or surrender 34 fewer, they can fair much better in 2010 than they have the past two seasons. In '09, Sewanee dropped nine one-run games, eight in '08. Seventeen one-run losses over the last two years — that is how close the Tigers have been to securing a spot in the SCAC tournament. The ingredients may be in place to get it done for 2010.