Busters Looking To Build On Success in 2010
2010 Spring Preview
Staying on top and maintaining success can be one of the more difficult things to do in sports. The Garden City Community College men's baseball team is looking to do just that. Fifteen returning sophomores bring a wealth of experience at multiple positions to this year’s team. “We have a great group of sophomores this year that are hungry to win again,” head coach Chris Finnegan said. “The freshmen have made great strides since they stepped on campus in the fall and are ready to make an impact. ”
Infield
The middle infield will have a new look to it this season. Moving from the hot corner to the middle infield will be Tony DeCarlo (Golden, CO). Tony will see time at both shortstop and second base this year, while also providing the team with experience in the middle. Another player switching positions this spring is Cody Schramm (Omaha, NE). Schramm moves over to second base after seeing extensive time at first last spring. Rounding out the middle infield are Colby Tessendorf (Newton, KS) and Sam Thornton (Canaberra, ACT). Both players will look to build on their fall seasons and will see extensive playing time this spring.
Seeing time at the hot corner this spring will be a familiar face in Luke Kordsmeier (Benton, AR). Kordsmeier returns after starting fifty-two games for the Busters last year. Also seeing time this year will be freshman Axel Rivera (Yabucoa, PR). Axel is a very talented player who has the potential to be a major contributor this year.
Playing first base for the Busters will be the duo of CSU transfer Alex Kelly and former Omaha Central graduate Brad Benes. Kelly who is blessed with outstanding tools, will be counted on give the team a presence in the middle of the lineup. Benes brings a sweet swing from both sides of the plate to the table that will provide flexibility to the lineup.
Catchers
The Busters head into the spring deep at the catching position. C.J. Gillman returns after an All-Conference season last year. He will give the Busters a quality backstop this spring. Also looking to make a large contribution, both offensively and defensively, will be Arkansas State University transfer Kevin Burgi (Jonesboro, AR). Isaiah Mellington (Wichita, KS) and Brad Hoggatt (Garden City, KS) round out the catching positions. Both players come off of successful fall season and look to continue their success this spring.
Outfield
This will be an area of depth for the team this spring. Leading the way is returning 1st Team All Conference outfielder Erik Mattingly. After starting forty games last year, Mattingly will be looking to improve from last year’s successful freshman campaign. Returning to the outfield this spring will be M.J. Sartin (Hamburg, AR) and Andrew Phelan (Littleton, CO). Both players come off of successful freshman seasons and should be forces offensively. Rounding out the outfield will be Omaha native Blake Brisson and Jackson Bynum. These two will man centerfield this spring for the Busters. They posses the ability to change the game with their speed and should provide great defense in centerfield.
Pitchers
Pitching will be a key area for the 2010 squad. Returning to the mound this spring will be Joey Cifuentes (Clinton, AR) and Erik Mattingly (Lakewood, CO). Cifuentes and Mattingly will be looked upon to anchor the staff after seeing significant time as starters during their freshmen seasons.
Freshmen Brenton Higgins (Mulvane, KS) and Alex Ellison (Littleton, CO) should see time as starters for the Busters. Higgins is coming off an impressive fall season while Ellison continues to develop into a front of the rotation type of arm. Sophomore transfer Wade Myatt will give the team a quality left-handed option and could see time as both a starter and reliever.
The bullpen will be solid with Reece McGraw (Boulder, CO), Tyler Rogers (Littleton, CO) and Joemar Melendez (Yabucoa, PR) giving Finnegan a quality trio of relievers. Dustin Lamb (Garden City, KS), Brandon Roberts (Lawton, OK), Jordan Lies (Wichita, KS), Adam Warner (Canaberra, ACT), Brandon Beach (Eaton, CO), Kyle Harter (Greeley, CO), and Tyler Williamson (Castle Rock, CO) will round out the pitching staff. All of these pitchers will be expected to throw quality innings this spring for the Busters.