SAC Preview

Lets hear some insight on how the South Atlantic Conference will look this season... I know Tusculum and Catawba will be up there, along with Wingate and Brevard. Who are some key returners and newcomers that we should look for this spring?

 

Overall, how good is baseball in the SAC? I'm familiar with most of the colleges, but really don't have a clue about their baseball programs other than W/L records on their websites.

How does SAC baseball compare to specifically to Conference Carolinas, and more genarally to the Big South and Southern.

I reallize that the last two are DI but they are similar geographically.

 

Mars Hill outlook

This team, from a parents perspective, is extremely young and under new leadership. Comming from D1 UNCA is former MHC assistant Aaron Rembert (2005-2009) and UNCA assistant Matt Henson. The roster shows but only 3 seniors - 5 juniors - 10 sophomores and 17 rookie freshman. After 75 years of playing on one of the worst surfaces in conference, MHC has a new field and renewed energy. The sod is being laid as we speak. The team is already a little behind the eight ball due to the fact the fields completion is past due.
If MHC is to place in the top 6 and make the SAC tournament, that will be a surprise due to their youth. That's all I'm hoping for is to somehow play into the season ending tournament. Butler High's Dalton Eisenbath (1B 6'4 250) and Tommy Ollis (3B 5-11 195) are the 2 freshman I'm hoping can make a first year impact. I am afraid I am not yet familiar with any of the other players. I am so eager for the season to start.

 

Wingate

Come on down to Wingate Saturday at 1:00pm to get a preview of the 2013 Bulldogs.

 

2013 rosters and schedules

Most SAC baseball websites have updated rosters and schedules. Any thoughts or comments ?? Lets hear more on this Conference review we started. I see Mars Hill gets another crack at D1 Gardner Webb after playing them last year. I will surely attend that game.

 

That's awesome. Love seeing D2s getting chances to prove themselves against D1 opponents. Sounds like Mars Hill is looking good so far this fall... Anyone else surprise us?

I know Wingate is looking great, despite the loss of several All-Americans. A couple freshmen will step up and fill roles, as well as a few transfers from Elon. The pitching staff looks to be alot stronger this year then it has been in the past, which with solid defense behind them can take them a long way.

 

Mars Hill actually defeated Gardner Webb last year 5-3. Gardner Webb then beat #4 North Carolina 7-4 two days later. Funny how that works, right? Glad to see them play MHC again. Heading up to the hill to see throw-back World Series this weekend. I'll report my findings when we get back. I can only hope MHC can make top 6 in SAC to make year end tourney. Might just be too young and inexperenced, time will tell.

 

How did your boys up there look this weekend?

 

Had a great weekend with great weather at Mars Hill. Only disappointment was that their new field was still not ready for play. The boys played the Blue/White Throwback WS at the Madison Co. Fairgrounds. Basically the teams were split with speed vs. power. The scrappy, speedy blue team won 3-2 in 5 innings on Friday. The big White power team prevailed 10-4 in 9 innings on Sat. I definitely saw a quality 12-15 that should compete as long as their pitching holds up. Coach Rembert and Henson have done well and this team seems to be gelling well and looks hungry to get started. Games 3-4 are slated for this weekend.

 

SAC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll and All-Conference Team

2013 SAC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
Place. Team, Points (First Place Votes)
1. Tusculum, 77 (5)
Catawba, 77 (5)
3. Wingate, 62
4. Brevard, 56
5. Carson-Newman, 46
6. Newberry, 45
7. Lincoln Memorial, 34
8. Mars Hill, 20
9. Lenoir-Rhyne, 17
10. Anderson, 16
2013 SAC Baseball Preseason All-Conference Team
Position- Name, School
First Team
C- Josh Clark, Wingate
1B- Brian Yeung, Wingate
2B- Andre Rodriguez, LMU
SS- Tripper Crisson, Tusculum
3B- Cade Stallings, Tusculum
OF- Ethan Satterfield, Catawba
OF- Champ Stuart, Brevard
OF- Cody Baker, Lincoln Memorial
DH- Garrett Furr, Catawba
SP- Nick Lomascolo, Catawba
SP- Taylor Rakes, Tusculum
SP- Adam Sigmon, Tusculum
RP- John-Austin Shepard, Tusculum
Second Team
C- Nick Pressley, Lincoln Memorial
1B- Chris Dula, Catawba
2B- Chad Funkhouser, Brevard
SS- Curt Fuqua, Lincoln Memorial
3B- Erik Renegar, Brevard
OF- Thomas Spitz, Wingate
OF- Wesley Camp, Newberry
OF- Ivan Vieitez, Lenoir-Rhyne
DH- Erik Sanderson, Anderson
SP- John Tuttle, Catawba
SP- Olen Little, Wingate
SP- Zeke McGranahan, Tusculum
RP- Craig Brooks, Catawba