February 4, 2010

Tigers looking to build off another World Series trip

Returning 11 players from last season’s team, which captured its third straight Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division title and advanced to the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, CO., the Cowley College baseball team is hoping to continue its success as they get set to open its season Tuesday at Seminole State College at 2 p.m.

After opening the season at Seminole State, Cowley will later face another World Series participant from last season in Iowa Western. The Tigers will also face Jayhawk West foes Hutchinson and Butler, while also doing battle with Eastern Oklahoma, a team Burroughs thought was the best Cowley faced in the fall.

“That kind of schedule is what gets guys ready for conference play,” Cowley head coach Dave Burroughs said. “Baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. We want to build up to the end of the season.”

The Tigers, winners of 13 of the past 15 conference titles, return three starters in the infield, one in the outfield, and six pitchers.

Second baseman B.J. Misialek and outfielder Ronnie Melendez were both Second-Team All-Conference selections as freshmen and highlight the returning position players. Misialek batted .369 with a team-leading nine home runs and 58 runs batted in. Melendez, who was drafted by the Texas Rangers this past summer, batted .367 with four home runs, 14 doubles, and 38 RBI. He also stole 18 bases and scored 51 runs.

“They are both good kids and had big games at the (JUCO) World Series,” Burroughs said. “We don’t expect anything less from them but also don’t want to put any undue pressure on them.”

Other returning starters are, first baseman Tyler Hancock, who batted .314 as a freshman, and shortstop Chance Ross, who batted .288 with 27 RBI last season.

Matt Garcia also returns to the Tigers after batting .326 in limited playing time as a freshman. Garcia could see time at third base or on the mound.

Zach Cargill, the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division Freshman of the Year and a returning Honorable Mention All-American, is the lone returning starting pitcher for the Tigers. Cargill will be counted on to anchor the staff and build off an impressive freshman campaign in which he went 8-1 with an earned run average just over 2.00.

Joining Cargill in the starting rotation will likely be Phillip Wilson from Cushing, OK, Drew Rainey, a mid-semester transfer from Wichita State University, and Andrew Polly from Broken Arrow, OK. Robbie Rea from Topeka could also be used in the starting rotation.

Chase Webb, who tied for the team lead in saves with seven as a freshman, will likely assume the closer’s role. Webb was an Honorable Mention All-Conference selection last season as he went 4-1 with an earned run average of 2.45.

”Both Webb and Cargill will be big for us, we hope they have another big year,” Burroughs said.

Quinton Bane, Eric Faust, Stephen Spirlock, and J.D. Sutton each saw limited time on the mound as freshmen. However, their roles are likely to expand this season.

“These guys will get an opportunity,” Burroughs said. “Once the season gets going we will find out what roles guys can do. Like every year, the season will be measured by how guys do on the mound.”

The Tigers have added several talented newcomers to the team as well as NCAA Division I transfers Derik Grimes from Jacksonville University and Drew Rainey from Wichita State University. Grimes will be counted on to hit in the middle of the lineup and battle playing time at third base or as a right-handed designated hitter.

Aaron Rea, who helped Lawrence High School to a state championship, will join Melendez in the outfield as will Matt Hillis from Sand Springs, OK. Hillis is a solid hitter that played in the Oklahoma Sunbelt Classic.

“Both are good players and will provide good defense in the outfield,” Burroughs said.

Robbie Rea is another freshman that has a bright future. After helping Topeka Seaman to the state title, Rea could see time as a pitcher, first baseman, or right-handed designated hitter at Cowley.

Ruben Marrero, who is coming off a redshirt season with the team in 2009, will take over as the team’s starting catcher.

Burroughs is looking forward to having Marrero behind the plate.

“Ruben has got a chance to be a very good player,” Burroughs said.

The Tigers, which finished the 2009 season with a record of 48-15 overall and 29-7 in the Jayhawk East, will be challenged once again by the likes of Johnson County, Allen County and Neosho County.

Cowley finished two games better than Johnson County and four games in front of Allen County in last year’s conference race.

“I expect to be in a dogfight, our guys showed a lot of heart last year,” Burroughs said.

With so many new faces on the roster and the team working hard in practice, Burroughs is looking forward to getting the season underway.

“We are excited about where we are and are anxious to see how we do once we start playing,” Burroughs said. “We want to see what we got and then develop a club that can represent our institution at the national tournament.”

Having guided the Tigers to 14 conference titles, seven region championships, and two World Series titles, Burroughs expects his teams to always be in the hunt for a championship.

“Expectations are always high here, we want to win a conference championship then go to Wichita and win the region championship,” Burroughs said. “That goal is not going to change as long as I am here.”