Over the last three seasons, the Freed-Hardeman Lions have seen their win totals improve. Head Coach Patrick McCarthy, who is beginning his fifth season at the helm of the program, is hopeful that trend will continue this year.
Though the team only graduated four players there are plenty of new faces on the squad this season, which to McCarthy means there are still some unanswered questions as the season begins.
"We are a very untested team," he said. "It is hard to tell at this point but we like what a lot of the guys did in fall workouts. ... We have lots of new guys and plenty of questions we hope to get answered before our conference opener with No. 20 Trevecca on March 6-7."
PITCHERS/CATCHERS Among the four seniors from last year's team was All-American pitcher Josh Hester. Hester, who was drafted in the 17th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, holds nearly every pitching record at Freed-Hardeman. His dominant arm will be difficult to replace, but McCarthy sees more depth on the mound this year for the Lions.
Carlos Pertuz is one of several newcomers to the FHU pitching staff
Last year's team leader in wins returns in Javy Gomez. Gomez won 10 games, led the team in appearances, and has excellent command as demonstrated by his 56 strikeouts against only nine walks in 2008. Joey Gildea is also back after posting a 3.86 ERA as a freshman last year. The team is excited about the return of Derek Williford, who was dominant in 2007, from injury. FHU also added several transfers to the pitching staff including left-handers Carlos Pertuz and Les Rodriguez and right-handers Jhonny Montoya, Jorge Lorie, and Trae Luttrell that should help increase the team's depth at the position in 2009.
Behind the plate, Leo Alvarez is the favorite to take over the job that was filled last year by Dustin Woodward. Alvarez, a transfer from NCAA D-II University of Tampa, hit .326 with 14 doubles and four homeruns in 43 games for the Spartans. Garrett Ammons and Ben Wright will be players McCarthy looks toward if Alvarez needs a rest.
INFIELDERS
Brian Bullard earned Gold Glove honors at 1B in 2008.
Plenty of experience returns in the Lion infield with three of the four regulars back in uniform for 2009.
Brian Bullard and Greg Allen return at the corners, where both were mainstays in the lineup last year. Allen started 50 games at third and hit .351 with 40 RBI and 23 stolen bases. Bullard led the team in homeruns (six) and RBI (52) but perhaps earned more attention for his defense at first base, where he was received conference and region Gold Glove awards. McCarthy also expects George Otero, a junior transfer from Miami-Dade Community College, to be in the mix at third base.
Angel Nicolas is back to anchor the middle infield at shortstop, where he started 38 games last season. Senior Daniel Peck and newcomer Michael Clayton are both options for McCarthy to use at second base.
OUTFIELDERS
Willy Hernandez brings more power to the middle of the Lion lineup
Noslen Labrada and Derek Bush both return to the FHU outfield after big seasons in 2008. In his first year at Freed-Hardeman, Labrada led the team in slugging percentage (.523) and homeruns (six) and was second in OBP (.441). Bush topped the team in batting average (.360) and total bases (87) while driving in 28 runs and stealing 13 bases in 16 attempts.
Newcomer Willy Hernandez has the chance to make a major impact for the Lions. Hernandez, a senior, led St. Thomas (Fla.) University to the NAIA World Series in 2007 after hitting .344 with 18 doubles, nine homeruns, and 69 RBI and earning All-American honors.
McCarthy also expects freshman Blake Taylor and junior transfer Johanny Ramirez to figure into the outfield mix. Taylor helped lead Jackson Christian School to a state championship in 2008 while Ramirez hit .390 at Mesabi Range (Minn.) Community College.
Brian Bullard earned Gold Glove honors at 1B in 2008.
