If the trend they have set over the past few years continues, the Angelo State Rams baseball team could have a very special season in 2008.
In 2005, the inaugural year of the program, the Rams finished second in the Lone Star Conference South Division. The following season, ASU won the LSC South, but failed to receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Last year, the Rams won the LSC Championship and set a new record by reaching the Division II College World Series in their third season, the fastest CWS trip in NCAA history, regardless of division.
"We've gotten better every year,” head coach Kevin Brooks said. “Obviously it gets harder each season, but the plan is to go farther than we did last year.”
Whatever the Rams accomplish this season will be sparked by two returning two All-Americans. Junior Clay Calfee and senior Steven Allred, both selected to the Rawlings/ABCA All-America second team, will once again be key figures in the ASU lineup.
“Clay is a great player and a special talent that has been with us from the start,” Brooks said. “Plus, he is a hard worker and it is always good when one of your best players is one of your hardest workers.”
After transferring from UT-Pan American in 2006, Allred became the Rams' lead-off hitter for most of last season. He set LSC records for hits and at-bats in a season and tied for the team lead with a .408 batting average.
“Steven exceeded our expectations, which were already high when the season began,” Brooks said. “He is a quiet leader and compiled All-American-type stats in a quiet sort of way. You don't even realize how good he is until you look at his numbers.”
All-LSC South second team selection Jimmy Cox, who also hit .408 last season, looks to put up even better numbers, providing he can get stay away from the injury bug.
“Jimmy had one of the toughest seasons of anyone last year,” Brooks said. “But, he played through the injuries and still made a great contribution.”
The Rams relied heavily on pitching in 2007 and they leaned on no one more than Michael Gunter, the South Central Regional Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Gunter was an All-LSC South first team selection and set the LSC single-season record for innings pitched.
“Gunter was our workhorse last year,” Brooks said. “We used him as a starter, in save situations or just to get a key out. You need a guy like Michael when you get into the tournaments.”
Another key to the Rams' success this year will be Brett Nightingale, an All-LSC South second team selection who had a solid 2007 season both at third base and on the pitching staff.
“Brett came in at the beginning of the spring semester, so we weren't sure what he was capable of doing,” Brooks said. “He gave us some quality starts on the mound and played a solid third base. Without Brett's contributions, we would not have been able to achieve what we did.”
One of the unsung heroes from 2007 returning this year is Bradley Durst, who graduated last May, but enrolled in graduate school so he could play his final season.
“Bradley is an example of the kind of student-athlete I want in this program,” Brooks said. “Whether it is in the outfield, on the mound or picking up equipment after batting practice, he does whatever it takes. I hope my kids turn out like him.”
Pitchers
Three members of last season's starting rotation will be on the roster when the Rams begin the 2008 campaign, led by Michael Gunter. He posted a 10-5 regular season record in 2007 with a 3.34 ERA, eight complete games, 89 strikeouts and only 10 walks. He followed that up with a stellar postseason, going 3-1 with a 2.13 ERA and three complete games.
“Michael was our rubber-arm guy last year,” Brooks said. “We held him out of fall ball just to give him some rest, but he should be back to his old self when the season starts.”
Jeremy Tietze and Joe Key will also return to the hill for the Rams. Tietze finished his solid 2007 freshman campaign by going six consecutive starts without suffering a loss. Overall, he went 7-2 with 52 strikeouts and 29 walks. Key began last season as a starter, then was moved to the bullpen. He responded with a 5-2 record and five saves over his last 19 appearances with a 3.61 ERA and 40 strikeouts to just 10 walks.
“Jeremy pitched well for us once we got into divisional play and was usually in the games where we were up by eight or nine runs, so his earned run average was not reflective of how well he pitched,” Brooks said. “Joe was lights-out once we moved him to the bullpen. Both of them showed great improvement in the fall and will be a big part of our rotation this year.”
Bradley Durst is also slated for quality innings on the mound in 2008. The senior from Fredericksburg was 5-1 last season with a 4.62 ERA and 40 strikeouts.
“Bradley threw a lot of big games for us last year in relief and as a starter,” Brooks said. “Most of his appearances this year could be out of the bullpen in long relief. He also could be our mid-week starter.”
Three Rams newcomers that Brooks has high hopes for are Corey Morehouse, Kenny Elkind and Coleman McKellar. Morehouse is a transfer from Kansas State who redshirted last season due to injury. Elkind, a transfer from LaSalle University, was the Rams' most consistent pitcher in fall workouts. McKellar, a transfer from Francis Marion University, is the all-time winningest pitcher in the Coastal Plains Collegiate Summer League.
“Corey has the stuff and the mentality to be our go-to guy by season's end, provided he stays healthy,” Brooks said. “Kenny has command of all his pitches, throws his fastball in the high 80's to low 90's and throws all his pitches for strikes. Coleman is a guy that knows how to win and finds ways to get people out.”
Four other transfer players will add depth to the ASU pitching staff. Tre Lips from Navarro College, Jeremie Reeves from Clarendon College, Casey Smith from Paris Junior College, and Sean Winscher from Richland College should all see time on the mound for the Rams.
“Tre has a good mix of pitches but needs a bit more consistency,” Brooks said. “Jeremie was a JUCO all-conference selection who took last year off to recuperate from an arm injury. Casey has always been a strike thrower with a good breaking ball and his velocity has jumped since he got here. Sean started out here, then transferred to Richland where he was a JUCO All-American. Now, he's back here with a deadly slider.”
Infielders
Four of last season's five starting infielders have returned for ASU, but only two have their positions solidified.
All-Americans Clay Calfee and Steven Allred will patrol the right side of the Rams' infield at first and second base, respectively. Calfee, who set the LSC record for putouts in a season last year, brings a career .395 batting average, 15 home runs and 105 RBI to the table. He was also chosen a top 10 prospect in last summer's Alaska Collegiate League. Allred brings both speed and power to the top spot in the batting order.
“Clay has had two consistent seasons and there is no reason he should not have the same this year,” Brooks said. “Steven should improve because he is more comfortable here and more comfortable with what we want him to accomplish.”
The other side of the diamond is not as definite. Four returners and one newcomer could all see playing time at either shortstop or third base.
Jimmy Cox, Brett Nightingale and Shan Sullivan split time at third base last year and should do so again this season. Sullivan and Charley Belew shared shortstop duties in 2007 and will again battle each other for playing time.
“Brett improved a ton defensively in the offseason and Jimmy was our starting third baseman until he suffered the injury at Southeastern Oklahoma, so they have the inside track,” Brooks said. “Shan will start at shortstop at the beginning of the season until Charley gets healthy. Then we will go with whoever has the hot hand.”
Tre Lips, a JUCO transfer from Navarro College, is a utility player who could be in the lineup at several positions when not on the mound.
“Tre was one of our better hitters in the fall,” Brooks said. “He has tremendous power and will contribute at both third and in the outfield.”
The Rams will have a new masked man behind the plate this season following the graduation of all-conference selection Bucky Strickland. Don Carter, the only Ram that has played in all three seasons, and newcomer Trey Carter, whose father played football at ASU in the early 1980's, each had a solid showing in fall workouts. They made Brooks' decision even tougher by putting up identical numbers.
“Don is an outstanding hitter that could have been one of our top hitters had he been given the opportunity,” Brooks said. “Trey is a switch hitter and that is a plus for him.”
Outfield
With the departure of one All-American and one All-LSC selection, the Rams' outfield will have an almost entirely new look in 2008.
Bradley Durst, who hit .355 in 36 games last season, could be the starting right fielder, but the other outfield spots are up for grabs.
“We used Bradley last year in the late innings,” Brooks said. “He is our best defensive outfielder and he made some huge plays for us down the stretch. He also has the attitude that I wish every player had.”
Everett Evans, a transfer from New Mexico Junior College, and Tre Lips are two newcomers that Brooks is very high on.
“Everett was banged up all fall, but had a great year at New Mexico,” Brooks said. “He runs well and brings a lot to the table. Tre is a player that has the ability to play several positions, plus help us out on the mound in a pinch.”
Two transfer players could also figure into the outfield mix. Brian Rasberry had signed to play for Angelo State in 2005, but transferred to North Lake Community College where he was an all-conference player and a JUCO all-star. He then played one season at Western Oklahoma Junior College. Adam Resendez played two seasons at Northeast Texas Community College.
“Brian runs well, hits the ball well and is solid defensively, so he could end up in centerfield,” Brooks said. “Adam is a JUCO All-American with power and speed and could play in left or right field.”
Two freshmen that could make an impact are Clayton Farhat from Plano East High School and Travis Lites from Rockwall High School. Farhat finished his senior year with a school-record 51 runs, a .471 batting average and six homers. Lites was a career .380 hitter who also hit .390 in postseason play and was named first team All-District 10-5A.
“Clayton had a slow start in the fall but came on really strong at the end,” Brooks said. “Travis was hurt during the fall but has looked good in individual workouts. I can see him going to the outfield and possibly starting on opening day.”
The Conference
The Lone Star Conference will have a new look this year after tossing out the previous two-division alignment in favor of a single-conference format. This puts an added emphasis on the games against LSC North Division foes.
“Last year, the games against the North were two seven-inning doubleheaders, while the games against the South were two nine/seven doubleheaders,” Brooks said. “This year, it will be two nine-inning games sandwiched around a nine/seven doubleheader. Those extra innings are going to make pitching depth a lot more important, which is to our advantage.”
Brooks has tabbed usual suspects Central Oklahoma and Abilene Christian as the teams to beat in the LSC this season, but also believes it will not be just a two-horse race for the championship.
“UCO is returning three All-American-type players, but lost two of its top pitchers, so it will be interesting if it can replace them,” Brooks said. “Abilene Christian has most of its rotation back, though they did lose an All-American closer from last season. Plus, they have most of their top hitters returning.”
Two other teams to watch are Northeastern State, who contended for a playoff spot right up to the end of last season, and Southeastern Oklahoma, who is always in the mix.
“Northeastern was a very young team and look for them to be very good this year,” Brooks said. “Southeastern Oklahoma has just about everyone back from last season and they have two really good pitchers, so they are going to be very tough.”
The Schedule
Angelo State opens the 2008 season at home Feb. 1 with a three-game series against Ft. Hays State. Then, it's out on the road for one game against St. Mary's Feb. 5 in San Antonio, followed by a three-game series against perennial power Delta State starting Feb. 9 in Gulfport, Miss.
“Ft. Hays State just missed a regional bid last year and next year the MIAA Conference joins our region,” Brooks said. “Delta State came in here last year and embarrassed us, so we are looking forward to that challenge.”
The Rams will open defense of their Lone Star Conference title Feb. 15 when they travel to Durant, Okla., to meet Southeastern Oklahoma.
This season's mid-week games are against familiar opponents Incarnate Word, St. Edward's and St. Mary's, repeating the pattern of the last two years.
“Those games are probably more important than in previous years,” Brooks said. “The Heartland Conference does not have an automatic bid this year, so it is key that we win those games because there will be an extra at-large slot in the regionals.”
Historically, the Rams have been a bit slow out of the chute, then improved as the seasons progressed. This season, they hope to buck that trend and its potential negative late-season impact.
“Unfortunately, those games in February can come back to haunt you when it comes to regional selection, but we know that,” Brooks said. “This year we will be a little better prepared, especially with conference play beginning so early. The good thing is that with an expanded league schedule, there is a little more room to make up ground should we stumble in a series.”
