Opening Day!

The 2010 College Baseball season is here! The Columbus State Cougars open Wednesday against the University of West Georgia at 4:00 p.m. at Ragsdale Field. The CSU squad is looking to rebound after a lackluster season in '09. The Cougars will have to do so with a roster filled with new faces. "This year's team is a talented bunch but we do lack in experience. We will have to grow up in a hurry if we want to be competitive in the Peach Belt Conference," says Head Coach Greg Appleton. The Cougars return only two full time starters from last year's line-up and three part time starters. The pitching staff is even more inexperienced with only three pitchers returning from last year's squad.

The CSU infield will be anchored by returning shortstop Eric Skinner. Skinner (Jr., Phenix City, AL) was solid defensively and was productive at the plate batting .362 with 14 doubles, and 30 runs scored. At second base, there is a battle for the starting position between returning senior Jake Lepchitz (Sr., Newnan, GA) and JC transfer Scoop Pharr (Jr., Canton, GA). Third base will be held down by freshman Cameron Griffin (Fr., McDonough, GA) in his first season of college baseball. Griffin is talented with excellent defensive skills including a cannon arm. At first base, transfer Jason Rogers (Jr., Riverdale, GA) will be the starter after an impressive fall practice. Rogers is an imposing presence for the Cougars offensively. Sophomore Logan Dollar (So., Columbus, GA) will be the backup at first base as well as a designated hitter candidate.

The Cougar outfield will feature some experience in 2010. In centerfield, Alex Montes (Sr., Phenix City, AL) will return after a very good season in 2009. Montes led the team in batting average (.389), hits (82), and runs scored (45) which led to his selection to the All-Conference team last season.  Joining Montes in the outfield will be returners Wes Adkins (Sr., Lawrenceville, GA) and Ryan Lewis (So., Snellville, GA). Adkins will look to add to his power production from last year when he led the team with 9 home runs. Lewis will start in left field for CSU and bring athleticism to the Cougar line-up. Transfer Eric Weiss (So., Peachtree City, GA) will also be in the mix for starting jobs in the outfield. Weiss, a lefty hitter, is a transfer from Berry College in Rome, GA.

The Cougar catching corps will be two newcomers to the CSU program. JC transfer Mitch Rider (Jr., Alpharetta, GA) and transfer Noah Watkins (Jr., McDonough, GA) will be the new backstops for CSU. Rider comes to CSU from Gordon JC and brings a strong work ethic and powerful bat to the Cougars. Watkins, a transfer from Valdosta State, offers excellent catching skills and an aggressive hitting approach.

The designated hitter for the CSU line-up has several options. Senior Wes Adkins could hold down the spot if not playing in outfield. Senior Iain Sebastian (Sr., Columbus, GA) is a left-handed option with home run power. Other possibilities are Merit Hicks (Jr., Columbus, GA), first baseman Logan Dollar, and pitcher Bo Foster (Jr., Midland, GA).

The Columbus State pitching staff is the most inexperienced component of the 2010 Cougar team. The 2009 CSU team consisted of many senior pitchers especially in the starting rotation. Coach Appleton will be looking for several new faces to fill the void on the mound.

The starting rotation for 2010 has several candidates. Returners Chris Snipes (Sr., Kathleen, GA) and David Lane (Sr., Peachtree City, GA) will have an opportunity to nail down a spot in the rotation. Senior Iain Sebastian looks to return to form after elbow surgery in 2008. Other possibilities for the Cougars will be JC transfers Thomas Campbell (Jr., Mt. Airy, GA), Brian Satterfield (Jr., Stockbridge, GA), Bo Foster, and Drew Freeman (Jr., Snellville, GA). Drew Cox (Fr., McDonough, GA) and Brodie Leibrandt (Fr., Alpharetta, GA) are the lone freshmen on the staff and both will compete for time on the mound as well.

The bullpen will be anchored by closer Wade Dudley (Sr., Phenix City, AL) who make the transition from set up man in 2009. Other relievers will be lefties Robbie Nettles (Jr., Columbus, GA), Jordan Freeman (Jr., Locust Grove, GA), and Tommy Ulmer (Jr., Athens, GA). Blake Sills (Jr., Columbus, GA), a sidearmer, will add depth to the bullpen.

First pitch for Wednesday's game is 4:00 p.m. and admission is free to all.