About
the Florida Sun Conference:
It
is one of the most-recognized
baseball conferences in the
country. Sun Conference teams
have competed in the NAIA College
World Series and been ranked
in the top 25 throughout the
season frequently in past years.
These
colleges are in the Florida
Sun Conference with Flagler
College:
- Embry-Riddle
University
- Florida
Memorial College
- Northwood
University
- St.
Thomas University
- Warner
Southern College
- Webber
International University
2004
Outlook:
The
Flagler College baseball staff
has high hopes for the 2004
season. Although the Saints
lost eight seniors, including
All-Region and Honorable Mention
All-American pitcher Brent
Cochran, the Saints return
seven starting-position players
from last year’s
34-19 team. Leading the way
is first team All-Conference
Catcher Jon Smith (.419 BA
9 2B 15 RBI .446 OB%). Anchoring
the outfield are seniors Jon
Major (.333 BA 10 2B 6
HR 40 RBI) and Bray LaDow
(.303 BA 5 2B 4 HR 32 RBI).
In the infield, the Saints
return 1B Josh Holt (Jr.),
2B Chris Gase (Sr.), and Todd
Lietz (Jr.) at Shortstop.
Senior Bo Diaz and sophomore
Ross Daniels round out the
infield at third base. Senior
1B/DH Greg Alden should be
a force in the middle of the
lineup.
Flagler
will have to rely on a stable
of newcomers as well. Two new
position players should
have an early impact: OF Kris
King (Santa Fe C.C.) and Catcher
Kris Judd (St. Johns River
C.C.). On the mound the Saints
will have quite a few new faces.
Junior RHP’s
Mike Krebs (FCCJ), Nick Phelps
(FCCJ), Tommy Desaulniers (SJCC),
Justin Deutsch (Gloucester
County College) and Nate Turnmier
(North Iowa Area C. C.), and
sophomore Mike Rhoten (University
of Pittsburgh) will all be
counted on this year. Liam
McClay, Brandon Murray, Greg
Cero and Justin Lupinski are
all returning pitchers who
had outstanding years for the
Saints last season.
Coach
Barnett on the upcoming season: “We
will be solid defensively
and on the mound. With seven
position players coming back,
we feel good about our club
offensively, along with the
added depth that we have.
Provided we can stay healthy,
we look to have a big year.”
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