February 15, 2010

Printer Friendly Version

LAURINBURG, N.C.—Third year head coach Keith Williams is rebuilding the St. Andrews Presbyterian College baseball team in what hopes to be a breakout season for the Diamond Knights in 2010.

Williams’ thinks that with 11 returning letter winners, two returning redshirts, and 19 newcomers -- inclu ding nine transfers -- the expectations for the Knights are high heading into the new decade. This year’s squad looks to return to the past successes achieved by the SAPC baseball program. “The team’s combination of experienced newcomers, strong chemistry and work ethic, and an unparalleled commitment to excellence will form the basis for a return to past glories,” said Williams.

A new digital scoreboard has been installed beyond the left field fence at Clark Field in January of 2010.

St. Andrews is coming off a 9-39 campaign in 2009 that included a 4-13 record in Conference Carolinas play. The Knights look to build off a first round win in the ’09 Conference Carolinas Tournament at the end of the season.

“The leadership from the senior class and a highly talented group of transfers will challenge the younger players to find their best,” added Williams. “If our younger players step up and mature, and our older players perform to their proven levels of ability, we could challenge for the conference and let opposing teams know that St. Andrews baseball is back. Our veteran line-up should place a lot of pressure on opposing teams and our rebuilt pitching staff will make us competitive.”

VETERAN LEADERSHIP

The Knights boast a senior class of five, including a pair of four-year letter winners in third baseman Charles Weber (Concord, N.C.) and right-handed pitcher/outfielder Alex Ridout (Wake Forest, N.C.). The senior duo of outfielder Samson Williams (Wilmington, N.C.) and first baseman/designated hitter Josh Axelsen (St. Charles, Ill.) look to build on very productive first seasons at SAPC last year. Senior right-hander David Carbonell (St. Charles, Ill.), a transfer from Division I Winthrop University, adds veteran leadership to the Knights pitching staff.

Weber is the squad’s most experienced player having 130 career starts under his belt heading into his senior campaign. Weber led the Royal Blue & White in 2009 with a .321 batting average, totaling 43 hits, a team-high 28 walks, 26 runs, and nine extra-base hits.

On the mound, Ridout returns veteran numbers for the Knights with 27 appearances including 16 career starts. Ridout has toed the rubber for 86.0 innings in his first three seasons at St. Andrews while fanning 35.

Williams and Axelsen provided much of the Knights power in last year’s lineup. Williams led St. Andrews with 56 hits, 37 RBI, 35 runs, eight home runs, five triples, and 10 stolen bases while accumulating a .309 batting average. Axelsen sported a .272 batting average while ranking amongst the team leaders with 33 RBI, 26 runs, 10 doubles, and four home runs.

Sophomore Ethan Powell (Greenville, N.C.), who has moved to the outfield in 2010, and joins Weber and Williams as the Knights three returning everyday players who batted over .300 in 2009. Powell batted .306 in 45 games as a rookie. Fellow middle infielder and classmate, Michael Ficarro (Pine City, N.Y.), also gained valuable experience last season batting .287 in 47 starts as a freshman. Powell and Ficarro are expected to help lead the team after their impressive freshman seasons

A combination of experienced utility players will add depth both defensively and in the lineup. Junior infielder Andrew Bizjak (Mount Airy, Md.) is hoping to have a healthy year after being sidelined for portions of 2008 & 2009, while juniors R.J. Blasi (Hubert, N.C.) and Brett Andrews (Durham, N.C.) join sophomore Matthew Bolden (Germantown, Md.) as players who gained experience last season.

OFFENSE

Coach Williams will have plenty of position players competing for playing time throughout the lineup this season, including five players; Weber (.321), S. Williams (.309), Powell (.306), Ficarro (.287), and Axelsen (.272); who had at least 100 at-bats in 2009.

S. Williams and Axelsen are expected to provide pop to the lineup, after combining for 12 of the squads 20 homers last year. Coach Williams also believes a trio of freshman can have power potential for the Knights as they gain experience throughout the season in Daniel Oliver (Plymouth, N.C.), Jeff Brothers (East Sparta, Ohio), and Andrew Pelfrey (Mount Airy, N.C.).

The Knights expect to do a lot of damage on the base paths. Samson Williams ranked 29th nationally last season with five triples and he led SAPC with 10 steals in ’09. Coach Williams believes Samson, and newcomers Manny Williams (Wilmington, N.C.) and Michael Cantwell (Burlington, N.J.) all have the potential to steal 20-plus bases this season. “This should be a place for us to stand out as we emphasize running the bases hard and aggressive. We have the potential to cause a lot of disruption on the bases with our team speed,” added Coach Williams.

DEFENSE

The outfield will be patrolled by a quartet of outstanding talents featuring the Williams brothers, Cantwell, and Powell. Samson Williams looks to cover rightfield after strong junior year and a summer season highlighted by being named to the SCBL All-Star team. Powell moves to the outfield after splitting time last year between second base and the DH spot. Manny Williams (Lenoir Community College) and Cantwell (Camden Community College) bring speed and outstanding defense to the Knights outfield after transferring in from community colleges.

With a team philosophy based upon pitching and defense, the Knights look to field a quality defensive infield with a group of versatile players competing for the starting positions.

At first base, Axelsen figures to anchor the infield and middle of the order, while Oliver provides quality defense and should also see time as the designated hitter. In addition, freshman Scott Stilwell (Roanoke, V.A.) will provide versatility with the ability to fill-in at both corner positions.

The middle infield spots will be filled from a group of quality players. A quintet of fielders will be competing for the spots as junior transfer Matt Adams (Laurinburg, N.C./Surry CC) and true freshmen Adrian Rivera (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Dalton Steed (Indian Trail, N.C.) will be battling letter winners Michael Ficarro and Andrew Bizjak for the starting jobs.

At third base, the Knights return three-year starter Charles Weber for his senior campaign. Weber will be pushed by Bolden, while Adams could see time at the hot corner.

The catching corps, although young and inexperienced, could prove to be a strength of the team as the season progresses. Blasi, the lone returnee, will look to lead a duo of freshmen backstops during the season. Jeff Brothers will bring his skills to St. Andrews after a highly touted scholastic career and could also see time as the team’s DH. In addition, another highly touted freshman, Andrew Pelfrey figures to push for the starting spot and add quality depth to the Knights catching unit.

PITCHING

After a difficult season on the mound last year, this season’s staff looks to be the foundation of the Knights’ success. Coach Williams acknowledges that with several returnees, plus the addition of ten high profile transfers and freshmen, competition will make the way easier to establish the pitching excellence desired by third year pitching coach Jim Blair.

The staff will be led by a quintet of new starting pitchers. Senior right-hander David Carbonell transfers from Winthrop University; junior leftie Jack Crawford (Montgomery, N.Y.) transfers from Dominican College; junior righty DJ Stinsman (Egg Harbor, N.J.) comes from Camden County College; junior right-hander DJ Turpin (Big Island, Va.) transfers from Patrick Henry Community College; and freshman Kyle Tate (Gastonia, N.C.) tossed prep ball at Ashbrook High School.

The bullpen will be led by four letter winners, two of whom red shirted in 2009. Alex Ridout and sophomore James Shahayda (Virginia Beach, Va.) will move into the bullpen after serving primarily as starters last year. Junior righties Kyle Schneider (Bedminster, N.J.) and Jason Murray (Syracuse, N.Y.) look to contribute after redshirting during the 2009 season. In addition, the staff will be bolstered by two other transfers and a trio of highly touted freshman arms, all of whom will push for key relief roles. Newcomers include Tyler Tuttle (Wilkesboro, N.C./Wingate University), William Waldau (LaFayette, N.Y./Onadoga CC), Ron Berscak (Kitty Hawk, N.C.), Ryan Pierce (Laurinburg, N.C.), and John Allen Renn (Wake Forest, N.C.).

COACHES

Third year head coach Keith Williams will be looking to surpass the 200 career win milestone marker this season and is optimistic it can happen with a strong group of assistant coaches. Williams stated, “I have been very blessed to have an outstanding staff here at St. Andrews. Jim Blair brings experience, knowledge, and an outstanding work ethic. He demands the best from his pitchers every day. Daniel Hadra is a true baseball guy. He knows the game well and brings a great desire for success to the field every day. We added Travis Lee this season, although young, he came from a great junior college program and has provided a good sounding board for the players.”

SCHEDULE

St. Andrews will once again be competing in the very powerful Southeast Region including eight weekend Conference Carolinas weekend series. The league has represented the region in the NCAA Division II ‘World Series’ each of the last two years with Mount Olive College winning the title in 2008 and Belmont Abbey College finishing as a semifinalist in 2009. The Knights have six opponents on its schedule that are ranked nationally in at least one of the three national preseason polls in Mount Olive, Belmont Abbey, USC Aiken, Francis Marion University, Tusculum College, and UNC Pembroke.

The Conference Carolinas Tournament has been altered in that only the top six teams in the league’s standings will qualify. The tourney will once again be played at historic Fleming Stadium in Wilson, N.C. on April 15-18 (hosted by the Wilson Tobs and Barton College). The Knights are scheduled to play 22 home games at Clark Field -- which features a new nine-inning digit scoreboard -- capped by ‘Senior Day’ against North Greenville University on April 24.

“We have one of the toughest schedules in the country. In order to be the best, you have to beat the best and we feel our schedule gives us a realistic gauge as to our standings in our conference, region, and country,” concluded Williams.