Feb. 11, 2008

SAN MARCOS - Head Coach Ty Harrington enters his ninth season at the helm of the Texas State Bobcat baseball program determined to continue a winning tradition and build upon the success of student-athletes from the past, present and future.

The 2008 Bobcat lineup is filled with a mix of just that, from the coaching staff to the players. We will see a team that combines new faces stepping foot on Bobcat Field for the first time this season, as well as a set of returning members providing the maturity and leadership skills the team will need for a winning edge this season. Five veteran pitchers return on the mound for Texas State, alongside a sharp new crop of arms waiting in the wings.

"I think this team is very talented...but beyond talent, we have a team that wants to win, yearns for winning. These athletes and coaches are focused on improving on the field, improving our attitudes and work ethic and those things that will carry our team very far," said Harrington.

A talented team with a drive to win is exactly what is needed to follow last year's successful campaign. The Bobcats won 20 Southland Conference games to tie Texas State's all-time winning season record and etched another deal of players into the record books. Only two of those players will return (Thomas Field and Adam Witek) and a handful have moved on, leaving behind a sizeable void to be filled on the team.

"It's accelerated experience, but I have no doubt the team will handle things smoothly," added Harrington.

The loss of such instrumental players like David Wood and Aaron Garza force the team to shift throughout the infield, but Harrington is certain the incoming talent will adjust with help from the more established players on the roster for a rewarding season.

Aside from Harrington, there will be just one familiar face in the dugout this season coupled with two new members on the team's coaching roster. Much like the players in training, the trainees will have to adapt to the new faces and a new tradition of baseball, but the game itself will never change.

"Our coaches know that baseball is the same game, regardless of what field it's played on or who you're playing with or for. Understanding that concept let's me know this staff has what it takes to take this team to new heights," said Harrington.

Former Bobcat Head Coach Howard Bushong remains in place as the key linking component for newcomers Derek Matlock and Jeremy Fikac. Bushong will work primarily as the hitting coach this season, while Matlock and Fikac will serve as pitching and fielding experts, respectively.

"Bushong has been around Texas State athletics for years and understands the winning tradition we are trying to create in this program," said Harrington.

Aside from pitching, Matlock serves as the recruiting coordinator as well, bringing in a number of quality pitchers from all over Texas. "Our heavy work load of nearly five games of week forces us to have more arms. I think we've found the right mix with this new recruiting class and they will develop to a skilled level," said Matlock.

Rounding out the list is Fikac, who will serve as the volunteer assistant coach for the 2008 season. Although new to the staff, he's no new face to the Bobcat baseball program. Fikac was a part of the 1997 Southland Conference Championship team under former head coach Bushong that took Texas State to its first-ever NCAA Regional appearance.

"I love being a part of a team and I can't wait to relay what I've learned through my years as a player to our student-athletes here now," said Fikac.

The mixture of past and present rings true through all ranks this season, and the most important factor lies with the thought that each man has only the future in mind.

Preseason Honors

In the Southland Conference preseason polls, the Bobcats were voted to finish third overall in the west division by head coaches and sports information directors. The Bobcats grabbed 52 points in the head coaches poll with two first place ballots, and tallied one first place ballot in the sports information director poll, while amassing 50 total points.

Thomas Field was the lone Texas State player named to the Southland Conference first team at short stop. Second team honors went to Paul Goldschmidt at third base and to pitcher, Mike Hart. Adam Witek received honorable mention accolades at second base, alongside Laurn Randell in the outfield and Ben Theriot at the designated hitter spot.

As a team, the 2008 Bobcats were named to the top 100 college teams by Perfect Game Crosschecker. Their 37-23 finish last season earned the squad a No. 88 seat. Joining Texas State on the list were season opponents Texas (3), Texas A&M (26) and Texas Christian (51). SLC-foe Sam Houston State was the only league contender to make the list at No. 93.

Behind the Plate With one season under their belts, Jerry Cervantes and Ben Theriot will return behind the plate for the Bobcats. Both catchers grew not only defensively, but offensively as well, posting .279 and .295 batting averages, respectively. With the pairs ability to defend the plate and power the team offensively, the two will interchange as the designated hitter this season also.

"The one-two situation we have going with these two guys is great, one of the better pairs we've had at Texas State."

In the Dirt At first base, we will see the old joined by the new with Paul Goldschmidt and Jonathan Farrow sharing time on the corner. The duo will replace a graduated David Wood who took Southland honors last season at first base. Harrington is confident the new move will work out in the field and on the bats.

"Farrow is defensively well-rounded and is our sole source of hitting from the left side of the plate. Goldschmidt will vie for the third or fourth place spot in the lineup," said Harrington. He is a power hitter and has so much strength behind his swing."

Last season, Goldschmidt batted .338 overall, earning him the top-returnee role.

Adam Witek will move over on the playing field, shifting from third base to second in the spring and will be backed by senior Aaron Fuller.

"Although Witek lacks the experience at second base I am more than comfortable with the move because of his defensive skills," said Harrington. Witek recorded 36 putouts last season and 83 assists in the field, good for a .915 fielding percentage, while the senior rounded out his junior campaign errorless defending the base.

Preseason first team selection Thomas Field will return at short stop and Harrington describes him as "arguably the best defender in the state." Field's final tally included a .936 fielding percentage that included 71 put outs and 148 assists. Offensively, Field recorded a .270 batting average, with a .381 on base percentage that included 13 stolen bases. Sophomore Clint Vest, who saw time in 11 contests for the Bobcats last year, will fall in at the gap behind Field.

With Witek's shift to second base, newcomers Bo Merrell and Lance Loftin will take over the corner role at third. With the added depth to the line up, Loftin will also be utilized as a relief pitcher for the 2008 season.

"We are working with a solid six in the infield, all versatile and all with the ability to adapt to their positions," said Harrington.

Playing the Field Although a number of outfielders are returning for the 2008 season, the composition is still fairly young. Sophomore Laurn Randell will provide a solid backbone in center field, backed by senior leadership on the right side and fresh faces in left field.

In Randall's freshman season, he threw 129 putouts with six assists, while recording only three errors for the season, good for .978 percentage from the field. Randall will be backed by Bret Atwood, a freshman from Katy High School.

Down the first base line we will see seniors Elliott Babcock and Jason Miranda defending right field. In Babcock's junior campaign, he notched a perfect fielding percentage and recorded 28 putouts on the year.

Cody Gambill and Steven Vidaurri, Jr., both new to Bobcat baseball will play opposite of the experienced right side in left field. Spenser Dennis, junior transfer from Prairie View A&M, will serve as a multi-purpose player, seeing time in both the infield and the outfield this season.

On the Mound This season, some week's of competition will place five games on the Bobcats plate and the need for a large pool of starting pitchers is needed.

Returning on the mound is Mike Hart and Steven Siers, who will rotate for the starting role. Hart was named to the SLC preseason second-team after finishing the season with a 3.25 ERA. Zack Tirtz, Kane Holbrooks and Kyle Gembler will see starting action as well.

"These guys will see the starting role for the first time this year and we've had to add depth to the chart with the demanding schedule," said Harrington.

Aaron Taylor, Brian Borski and Zach Boles, all new to the Bobcats this season, make up the relief pitching squad. Borski is the lone freshman, hailing from Houston, while Taylor brings experience from Temple College and Boles from Baylor University. The solitary source of left-handed pitching will come from Navarro College transfer Brandon Gaviglio.

Closing for Texas State will be Eric Weaver and Josh Walter. Weaver returns with the highest mark on the team, finishing the season with a 2.23 ERA and a winning 6-1 record. Walter threw in 13.1 innings last season and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs. The hurler returns for one more season with the Bobcats.

The 2008 Slate "We've continued a tradition set by Texas State baseball to bring in a tough, competitive schedule and I know it will be challenging, but we have a team that is willing to compete and win against these team," said Harrington. The 55-game slate includes Big XII opponents Texas, Texas A&M and Baylor coupled with first-time challenger Northern Illinois. The Bobcats will face the Houston Cougars for the first time since the 2003 season and will host New Mexico. The Bobcat's will face last year's season-highlighted victory opponent, Rice.

The schedule rounds out with a fierce Southland Conference opponents that Coach Harrington feels encompass three of the best teams in the NCAA. Texas-San Antonio, Sam Houston State and Lamar all return with the majority of their line ups from last season that will give the `Cats a tough time on the field.

"This schedule embodies the components many coaches, players and fans expect out of a season. We have a mix of nationally ranked opponents and rival teams that are very tough," said Harrington.