Jan. 9, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford baseball program enters the 2006 season with 23 of the 39 players on the roster new to the program. The coaching staff signed 20 new players to National Letters of Intent, and three of the players were invited walk-ons.

"Anytime you bring in a large number of new guys you worry about the team chemistry and the way the kids get along," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "We have been very fortunate that we have brought in a great group of kids both on the field in terms of baseball ability, and off the field in terms of character and academics. We feel like we have recruited a great group of kids that will add not only to the baseball team here at Samford, but to the university as a whole."

The Bulldogs also have plenty of talent returning to the team as seven of the team's top eight hitters from last year return to the squad for 2006. The team also returns its three weekend starters on the mound from last season.

A LOOK AT THE BULLDOGS BY POSITION

CATCHER
At the catcher position, Chet McDonough, who is coming off an off-season shoulder surgery, is expected to get a lot of playing time for the Bulldogs. Last season, McDonough played in 40 games, starting 35 contests. He batted .269 on the season, and had six doubles and drove in seven runs.

"We feel like, from a defensive standpoint, Chet is a guy who controls the game really well," Dunn said. "A lot of how much he plays will depend on how he recovers from surgery."

Returnee Hunter Tubbs and newcomers Luke Peavy and P.J. Fandetti will also be in the running at catcher. In 2005, Tubbs saw action in 21 games, starting 13 contests. Tubbs hit .256 for the season last year, with a double and three RBI.

"We feel like Luke adds something to us offensively, where as P.J., we feel like is going to be a very good defensive catcher," Dunn said. "Hunter swung the bat really well this fall. I think we will have four guys vying for time back there, but we do feel like if Chet recovers from surgery, and his rehab has gone very well, he will be our guy behind the plate."

Freshman Stewart Young will add depth to the catcher position.

FIRST BASE
Garrett Rice, who has started the last two years, returns at first base. However, two newcomers, Louis Rojas and Benji Waite, will also challenge for time at first base.

Last season, Rice led the team in both home runs (seven) and RBI (42). He had 11 doubles on the season as well.

"We feel it is important to get both Garrett and Louis in the lineup," Dunn said. "Louis will also see a lot of time at third base, and how we use him will depend on how Garrett fits into the lineup."

The coaches say Waite will also see time at first base, and probably as a designated hitter as well.

SECOND BASE

Trey Moody returns as the starter at second base. Moody led the team in hitting in the fall. In 2005, he started 56 games, and batted .264. He had four doubles and drove in 11 runs as a junior.

"Trey Moody is head and shoulders our best guy at second base," Dunn said. "He has truly been a leader for us during the off-season period. We feel really good about what he will be able to do for us at second base."

SHORTSTOP
In the fall season, freshman Michael Marseco was the team's top shortstop. Marseco and returnee Parker Gargis, who also plays on the Samford football team and missed fall practice, will compete for the starting position at short.

Last season, Gargis batted .245 in 163 at-bats. He drove in 21 runs and hit three home runs.

"Between Parker and Mikey, we feel like we will be very solid at the shortstop position," Dunn said. "We think we will be able to do some good things there."

Newcomer Joseph Ballew will see time as a backup at both short and second base this season. Justin Aldridge is the other backup for the middle infield, and is expected to see time as a designated hitter and pinch hitter.

THIRD BASE
Bill Whitehead returns as the starter at third base. Whitehead hit .303 last season as a freshman. He hit five doubles and drove in 12 runs.

Louis Rojas will also see time at third base. Depending on what happens at shortstop, Parker Gargis could play some at third as well.

"We really feel like third base is a position where a couple of guys will see a lot of innings," Dunn said.

Jonathan Lowery, who also plays on the football team, is another backup at third base.

"Jonathan will be joining us for the first time from football," Dunn said. "He will probably not see a lot of playing time this year, but we feel good about him for the future."

OUTFIELD
Samford returns four outfielders with extensive experience from last season. Matt Alling, John Morgan, Bear Burnett and Drew Reagan all return to the team from last season.

"Last season, we felt like we had four really good OVC outfielders," Dunn said. "This year, I think those four will again share the bulk of the outfield load for us. Whoever the odd-man out is at the time, will probably be the designated hitter."

Alling has been a starter in the outfield for the last three seasons for the Bulldogs. Last season, Alling started all 56 games, batting .289 with a team-high 12 doubles. He also hit four home runs and drove in 41 runs last season. He led the team with 61 hits.

Burnett led the team in hitting with a .331 batting average last season as a freshman. His 60 hits on the season ranks second on the team behind Alling. His slugging percentage of .442 was the best mark on the team.

Morgan hit .310 from the leadoff spot last season. He hit nine doubles and drove in 23 runs last season.

Reagan saw action in 35 games, batting .305 with eight doubles and 12 RBI last season.

Kyle Krebs, who saw limited action last season, and newcomer Kyle Kilgore could also see time in the outfield this season.

PITCHING STAFF
All three of the team's weekend starters return from last season. Stephen Artz, Chandler Tidwell and Parker Gargis were the main starters last season for the conference weekend series.

"It is very comforting as a coaching staff to know you are returning your top three guys," Dunn said. "I think all three of these guys will again see a large number of inning this year."

Tidwell was 4-7 with a 4.97 ERA, Artz had a record of 5-7 with a 4.98 ERA and Gargis was 3-6 with an ERA of 5.07 last season.

Also returning to the pitching staff from last season are Joseph Edens and Scott Kubina.

The three returning starters, along with South Alabama transfer Josh Ehmke, will battle for the three weekend starting spots.

In all, Samford will welcome 15 new pitchers to the staff this season (six transfers and nine freshmen). Joining Ehmke as transfers are Jeff Rodriguez (Pensacola JC), Daniel Davidson (Wake Forest), Doug Denson (Alabama), Phillip Whitten (Tampa) and Eric Lassiter (Bishop State JC).

The freshmen on the staff are led by David Knapp and Benji Waite. Also joining the staff new for this season are Brett Elam, Mark Lewallyn, Clint Jones, Joshua Vanfleteren, Kyle Nichols, Joe McAbee and Jonathan Coffield.

"We feel like we have a very deep pitching staff in terms of our freshmen," Dunn said. "They are young and there will be a lot of growing and maturing they have to do to be successful at our level. But, we feel good about the situation we will be in this year."