Post by The Cats on Feb 12, 2014 14:50:46 GMT -5
2014 College Preview: Southern
Team to Beat: Western Carolina.
The Catamounts return seven everyday starters and two weekend starters from a team that won the SoCon regular-season crown and just missed grabbing an at-large berth. With ace Jeremy Null and closer Tyler Powell (who works at 90-94 and fanned 55 in 38 innings last year), WCU has big arms with strikeout stuff at both ends of a deep staff. Seniors Jordan Smith and T.J. Fussell give the rotation two more reliable veterans with feel for pitching and fastballs that reach the low 90s. With seniors behind the plate (Adam Martin), at shortstop (Aaron Attaway) and in center field (Cody Jones), WCU should be strong up the middle. Martin and Jr. 1B Jacob Hoyle provide thump behind Attaway in the lineup.
Player of the Year: Aaron Attaway, ss, Western Carolina.
A four-year starter at shortstop, Attaway (.363/.441/.592, 11 HR, 14 SB) is a leadoff man with pop, speed and superb instincts in all facets of the game.
Pitcher of the Year: Jeremy Null, rhp, Western Carolina.
A 6-foot-8, 230-pound behemoth with a 90-93 fastball and a swing-and-miss slider, Null went 9-2, 3.36 last spring and was solid in the Cape League.
www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-college-previews-southern/
Team to Beat: Western Carolina.
The Catamounts return seven everyday starters and two weekend starters from a team that won the SoCon regular-season crown and just missed grabbing an at-large berth. With ace Jeremy Null and closer Tyler Powell (who works at 90-94 and fanned 55 in 38 innings last year), WCU has big arms with strikeout stuff at both ends of a deep staff. Seniors Jordan Smith and T.J. Fussell give the rotation two more reliable veterans with feel for pitching and fastballs that reach the low 90s. With seniors behind the plate (Adam Martin), at shortstop (Aaron Attaway) and in center field (Cody Jones), WCU should be strong up the middle. Martin and Jr. 1B Jacob Hoyle provide thump behind Attaway in the lineup.
Player of the Year: Aaron Attaway, ss, Western Carolina.
A four-year starter at shortstop, Attaway (.363/.441/.592, 11 HR, 14 SB) is a leadoff man with pop, speed and superb instincts in all facets of the game.
Pitcher of the Year: Jeremy Null, rhp, Western Carolina.
A 6-foot-8, 230-pound behemoth with a 90-93 fastball and a swing-and-miss slider, Null went 9-2, 3.36 last spring and was solid in the Cape League.
www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-college-previews-southern/