Tiger News
Posted by - Thu, Feb 12, 2009 - [Baseball]
The Tigers are coming off a season where they were the MSC Tournament champions.
The Tigers are coming off a season where they were the MSC Tournament champions.
If there is one certainty, it is that the Campbellsville University Baseball team has a lot of momentum going for them, and the season hasn't even started.  Every year since 2003, the Tigers have appeared in the Regionals, and are have taken a form of an MSC Championship for four straight seasons.  Despite recent and past success, many new faces will be on the field this year for the Tigers.  A slew of Junior College transfers compliment a handful of seniors and they will go to battle this weekend in Montgomery, Alabama.
At this point of the Tigers' preparation for the '09 season, 19th year Head Coach Beauford Sanders said, "Of the three main components of the game, offense, defense, and pitching; pitching and defense have probably been our strongest points for the past several years.  This season due to injuries, lack of experience, and an academic casualty, our offense and defense as of now are stronger."
 
Sanders went on to say, "A trademark of our team over the years has been solid 'team chemistry' and once again that appears to be very true.  If our pitching arrives by season's end we should be one of the better teams within the region."
 
This year's team appears to have a good blend of talent and character and they all expect big things.  Of the group of guys, Sanders added, "We are a good team today and we'll be a good team tomorrow.  The question is, are we willing to commit to becoming a great team?  This group has a legitimate chance to become great.  That's the bottom line."
 
In the most recent polls, the Tigers were picked to come in 2nd place in the MSC, falling just one vote behind favorite University of the Cumberlands which placed 1st.
 
Due to rain, the Tigers will now open up against #18 Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama.  They will play a double header against the Senators who currently sit with a record of 5-1.  The next day, they will travel to Faulkner University (RV) and complete their four game road trip.  The starting rotation for the Tigers will include new faces with one returner.  The projected rotation for the week is:
 
  Game 1; Marc Wilson, LHP.  (2-1, 3.94 ERA in 2008 for Campbellsville)
 
 Game 2; Ian Pick, RHP (10-2, 3.03 ERA in 2008 at West Valley CC (CA))
 
 Game 3; Eric Mattos, RHP (5-4, 3.80 ERA in 2007 at SJCC (CA))
 
 Game 4; Tyler Derby, LHP (1-0, 3.54 ERA in 2008 at West Valley (CA)
 
The start time for the double header Saturday should be announced sometime today and will updated as soon as it is announced.  Stay tuned for game results this weekend.
   
NAIAMSCCampbellsville University