The Rhodes College Baseball team has one goal for 2010: a SCAC championship. In order for this goal to be attained, the Lynx must continue to do what has made them so successful over the past four years, playing an unselfish style of baseball and doing all the little things right. Rhodes has used this template for success to win 68% of their games (117-56) over the past four years to become one of the strongest programs in the South region. With head coach Jeff Cleanthes entering his seventh season at the helm, this year's team will be without a doubt the deepest he has coached and has the potential to be one of the most successful.
On the Mound
Sophomore Austin Carden will take on the role of the Lynx ace in 2010. Carden, who went 3-2 as a freshman, is ready to step up as the leader of the Lynx pitching staff after gaining a great deal of experience as a freshman. Junior Taylor Babich will start the year as the #2 for the Lynx after bouncing between the starting rotation and the closer role as a sophomore. Babich struck out 53 in 53.2 innings last season. Freshman Jackson Baker is the front runner to earn the spot as the #3 starter. Baker will be pushed by sophomore Brian Lainoff, freshmen Tony Pikos and James Todd for the #3 spot. Lainoff, Pikos, and Todd, will also see time as mid-week starters and out of the pen on the weekends. Senior Max Gertz and junior Matt Ungashick will team up this season to serve as the Lynx closers. Gertz led the Lynx pitching staff with a 2.45 ERA and struck out 33 in 29.1 innings of work. Junior Hunter Chandler will once again serve as the setup man in 2010. Chandler made 20 appearances last season, all out of the pen. Junior John Utt, sophomores Remick Smothers, Chris Skoda, Tom Monsor, freshmen Stuart Voges, Matt Burnick, Brendan Goyette, and John White round out the Lynx pitching staff and will give Coach Cleanthes plenty of options throughout the season.
Infield
The Lynx infield will be led by senior captain Brooks Royer at shortstop. Royer has spent the past three years bouncing between second, third, and short. Junior Brogan Jayne will make switch to third base this season after starting 33 games at first as a sophomore. Jayne has the second highest batting average among returners, hitting .344 last season. Senior Andy Boucher will once again return to second base in 2010. Boucher looks to build off his strong 2009 season where he hit .329 as a junior. Boucher will be pushed by junior Kyle Peterson who saw action in 17 games as a sophomore. Freshmen Lynden Pindling and Nick Belisle will push for playing time up the middle. Pindling will spend most of his time at short while Belisle will work at second and third. The battle for first base will continue throughout most of the spring as senior Derek King, juniors Brent Lindsey, Matt Gilbert, sophomore transfer Jack Clark, freshmen Matt Killary and Matt Burnick will all battle for playing time. Lindsey, an everyday player last season at third and right field and a Honorable Mention All-SCAC selection in 2009, hit .325, led the Lynx with 52 RBIs, and was second on the team with 6 homeruns. All of the first basemen will also be in contention for the role as the Lynx designated hitter.
Behind the Plate
Junior captain Chris Conkell will continue to lead the Lynx from behind the plate. Conkell made huge strides throughout the 2009 season, on both the offensive and defensive aspects of his game. Conkell, a 1st Team All-SCAC selection in 2009, hit .364 last season. Junior Matt Frank will once again serve as the back-up catcher. Frank saw action in 16 games last season. Conkell and Frank will also be pushed by juniors Liam Cullen, Austin Marcum, freshmen Matt Shaw and Nolan Bielinski. Cullen and Marcum will also compete for the designated hitter role.
Outfield
The Lynx return all three starting outfielders from last season in senior captain Brandon Valentine, sophomore Travis Perkins, and junior Brent Lindsey. Perkins and Valentine will be switching positions as Valentine will move back to centerfield where he played as a sophomore. Perkins, an Honorable Mention All-SCAC selection in 2009, hit .344 as a freshman and set the Rhodes record for stolen bases in a season with 31. Junior Andy Meier will push for playing time in both centerfield and right field. Meier missed the vast majority of the 2009 season with a foot injury. Freshman Johnny Brill will push for playing time at all three outfield positions. Junior Angelo Scippa will back-up Perkins in leftfield. Junior Austin Marcum will push for time in right field as well.
Outlook from Coach Cleanthes
Everyone is extremely excited about what our team can accomplish this season. Last season we got away what from made us successful and ultimately did not reach our goals. This has motivated our players all fall and I believe it will continue to do so for the entirety of the 2010 season. Our players have made tremendous strides in weight room and in off-season conditionings. I believe all this hard work will pay off in the spring. The strength of this year's team is pitching, defense, and our overall team depth. As long as everyone takes care of what they can control, and we get a couple of great individual efforts, this team will be able to attain our goals. If everyone is able to continue to work hard throughout the season and put the team in front of the individual, I believe that we will be able to achieve great things!
