College of Charleston Baseball Update from Mark Etheridge

The following article written by Mark ethridge (sebaseball.rivals.com)

Talk about it in The Dugout
Last season College of Charleston led the nation in batting average (.350), runs (552), and slugging % (570). With all that offense it is hard to fathom how they were an unlikely omission from Regional play.

This spring the Cougars will rely on more on pitching and defense as they attempt to defend their Southern Conference regular season title.

"We will be deeper on the mound and better defensively," said Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Scott Foxhall. "The question is whether we can be as good as we have traditionally been offensively. Will the new guys answer the bell? I think the talent is here ... maybe as talented a team overall as we have had."

Head coach John Pawlowski's squad lost their entire infield including the catcher along with the weekend rotation.

College of Charleston will have a different look this season
Gone are top hitters Chris Campbell (.385/12/82), Graham Maiden (382/10/42), Ben Lasater (.376/15/54), Alex Garabedian (.353/13/58), and Oliver Marmol (.345/7/45). The quintet totaled 57 home runs - more than five of the ten SoCon team totals last season.

Also missing are pitchers Nick Chigges (11-1/3.52), Jeff Beliveau (3-2/4.56), and Michael Bunton (4-2/6.72). The trio combined to start 44 of the 58 games last season.

Fortunately, there are some Cougars returning with experience to blend with an impressive group of newcomers.

Michael Harrington (.364/13/66) is the top returning hitter. He'll play a corner outfield spot and hit third or fourth. The other two outfield starters also return in Gabe Marchant (.299/8/47/16 sbs) and Stuart Haywood (.389/1/37/10 sbs). Jedd Cordisco (.333/2/11) provides speed as the fourth outfielder.

The infield will have a different look as the newcomers lead the way. Defensive whiz Austin Morgan is a junior college transfer behind the plate. The left side has a pair of juco transfers as probable starters. Jeremie Tice is a middle of the order type who will play third. Mike Hentz is a strong defensive option at short.

Second base is a competition between junior college transfer Brandon Sizemore and returnee Joey Bergman (.418/1/14). Michael Kohn (.312/9/42) is a candidate at first and DH along with junior college transfer Joash Brodin. Brodin comes from the same school that produced former Kentucky slugger Ryan Strieby and has some similarities.

The pitching staff gets a boost from Danny Meszaros who missed 2007 with labrum surgery. Jake Goldberg (6-1/3.72) did well last season and will get an opportunity for an enhanced role this year. The coaches are excited about junior college transfer lefty Austin Garrett. Garrett may be the team's best arm. Other starting candidates include Clay Caulfield and Ole Miss transfer Jesse Simpson.

Top bullpen options include freshman Casey Lucchese and junior Jordan Tiegs.

The team got a huge boost this fall from Kohn - a first baseman/DH a season ago. Kohn worked on the mound and was phenomenal earning a chance to be the Cougar closer. His emergence is a real key since the bullpen -- normally a Charleston strength -- was a liability last season.

If Kohn, a senior pitching for the first time in college can close games, there is no reason to expect anything less than another successful campaign for the Cougars at renovated Patriots Point.