January 22, 2008
GC BANKING ON VETERANS
News Herald (Brad Milner) - The cyclical nature of junior college athletics often is weighted toward predominantly good and bad seasons. Count 2008 as a potentially good one for Gulf Coast baseball. The Commodores return 11 players from a 32-18 team that advanced to the state tournament for the second straight year. By comparison, GC had only five returners on the 2007 squad, which finished second in the Panhandle Conference. The upcoming season opens at 3 p.m. on Friday against Young Harris (Ga.) College in the first of 27 home dates in Gulf Coast’s 35-game nonconference schedule. The Panhandle opener is March 14. GC coach Mike Kandler said the 11 sophomores, along with injured veteran Kyle Mitchell, will provide important leadership for what he thinks can be a productive freshman class. “It’s always easier when guys know how the system works and what to expect,” Kandler said. “Those guys will help everyone else and that should be to our benefit.” Here’s a closer look at the 2008 GC baseball team:

Pitching: An expected deep pitching staff remains so, even without two arms. Closer Ben Francis of Mosley decided to enroll early at Florida State University, and fellow Mosley alum Mitchell was lost to shoulder surgery. Right-hander Bryam Garcia (6-1, 2.68 ERA in 2007) was in line to be the returning ace, but he’s still nursing a shoulder injury and will be slowed during the early part of the schedule. Garcia (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) is expected to carry a heavy load during the conference slate. Bay graduate Curt Trexler (6-3, 180), Ryan Fraser (6-3, 200), Dayne Cutrell (6-4, 220) and Dan Jacobs (6-1, 210) also return. The group combined for a 10-13 mark in 2007, led by Jacobs’ four wins. Both Jacobs (45 strikeouts to 18 walks) and Cutrell (21:6) possess solid control. The rest of the staff is made up of freshmen, including left-handers Hunter Park (6-0, 190) of Chipley, Will Smith (6-5, 235) of Newnan, Ga., and Charlie Lester (5-7, 165) of Franklinton, La. Gulf Coast didn’t have a lefty on the roster last season. Righthanders Patrick Bilyk (6-6, 215) and Scott Brothers (6-2, 195) provide depth. Kandler said this is one of his deepest staffs in his three years at the school. “On paper it is, but it’s always hard to say,” Kandler said. “Some years you don’t have the numbers but you have a few guys step in and do well. The thing is the guys still have to go out and perform.”

Hitting/defense: Four of the Commodores’ six leading hitters have moved on, but the majority of the team’s power production returns. The team hit only 31 home runs, but outfielder David Schulze (6-2, 210) had nine of them and Mason Meredeth (5-10, 180) and Rutherford graduate Drew Benton (6-0, 170) combined for eight. Last year’s team played small ball to perfection, with 42 stolen bases and 59 sacrifice flies and sacrifice bunts. However, Kandler believes this year’s team will display better power production. He added that this year’s roster would allow for more of a variety of lineups, giving players much needed rest when nicked up.
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