'Jacks Showing Progress In Fall Practice
10/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Oct. 17, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Lumberjack baseball team is in the midst of its first fall practice under head coach Johnny Cardenas, and so far so good for the first-year head coach as his team prepares for next week's fall game against Grambling.
SFA will take on the Tigers at 1 o'clock on Tuesday at Jaycees Field in the program's first fall game since bringing baseball back in 2006. The game will count toward SFA's allotment of available games for the 2009 season, but will not count for or against the team's overall 2009 record. Jaycees Field is currently in the midst of a renovation process that will include new bleacher seating, covered chair back seating and elevation of the press box; therefore, anyone attending Tuesday's game is suggested to bring lawn chairs or other forms of seating.
"Fall practice is going really well," Cardenas said. "We like what we've seen from the new guys and are really happy with the commitment we have gotten from our returners. As for Tuesday, we want to get a look at as many guys as possible and get an idea of where our guys might fit into the lineup for 2009. Maybe even more importantly than that, it will be a nice break to the everyday monotony of fall practice."
The Lumberjacks moved into team instructional periods on Sept. 14 after opening up fall practice with individual workouts on Sept. 1. Over 40 players have been participating in fall workouts, including 18 returning lettermen highlighted by all-conference outfielder Zach Gardner and right-handed pitcher Erik Gregersen who was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in last June's MLB draft.
A host of newcomers have joined the mix as well, with several looking at the possibility of cracking the starting lineup. Former Hudson High School (Hudson, Texas) standout and San Jacinto College transfer Tanner Hines looks to have the inside track on the vacancy at shortstop, while Joe Staley and Bo Coffman should provide plenty of power at catcher and right field after leading Grayson County College to the Junior College World Series title last season.
"Bo Coffman is probably the guy that's going to make the biggest impact considering what he can do with the bat offensively and defensively how he will solidify our outfield," Cardenas said. "Joe Staley is going to be big for us also because he gives us two solid defensive catchers in addition to Ryan Sinclair, plus he is a powerful switch-hitting bat that we can put in the lineup."
Cardenas also brought in a group of freshmen that should provide a solid core group of players for the next four seasons. Former Wichita Falls Rider right-hander Brett Rogers is a guy that Cardenas expects to throw a lot of meaningful innings in 2009, while former Lufkin High School standout Marty Anderson and Nacogdoches High School product Justin McAninch headline the local wave of talent from the East Texas area on this year's roster.
SFA won 12 of its last 15 games to close out the 2008 season, but just missed out on qualifying for its second consecutive SLC Tournament. The 2009 spring season is tentatively scheduled to start Feb. 21 for SFA. Keep checking www.sfajacks.com for the complete 2009 Lumberjack Baseball schedule to be released in the upcoming weeks.
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