2008 Baseball Season Outlook

Preseason Interview head coach Nick Black

Guilford looks to bounce back from a 12-24 overall record in 2007, 5-13 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The Quakers went through 2007 without a veteran starting pitcher in the rotation and missed going to the six-team ODAC Baseball Tournament for the third time in seven years. Head coach Nick Black ‘02 embarks on his third season and returns 18 letter-winners from last year.  Leading the way for the Quakers will be junior Joe John, who should again patrol the outfield and hit in the middle of the order. Last season John hit .380 with 35 runs scored and six homers, and added 25 fielding assists. He may also contribute some innings on the mound if called upon. With 33 of 43 students in either their first or second year at Guilford, Black looks to lead his young team back into ODAC contention.

Here’s a preview of the 2007 Quakers’ lineup by position:

PITCHING: After fielding one of the nation’s youngest pitching staff in 2007, the Quakers look to build upon the year of experience and push forward in 2008. Sophomores Paul Keenan and Reid MacLean will anchor the staff, along with junior college transfers Ryan Hairston and Drew Gurkin from Danville C.C. and Tim Lucas from Southeastern C.C. Seniors Josh Lane, Andrew McClannon and John add experience from the bullpen.  Sophomore Jay Laramore, who was a major contributor last season, underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason and looks to be back by midseason.  Guilford welcomes a nice crop of freshmen hurlers including Zach Daw, Wayde Edelman, Alex Pecevich, Sammy Stuart and David Thomson, who add some much needed depth to the staff and should eat up the majority of remaining innings for the Quakers.

CATCHING: New faces appear behind the dish in 2008 as transfers Jason Flud (Pfeiffer) and Will Cornelius (UNC Asheville) vie for catching duties along with freshman Vinny Nicolsen.

INFIELD: Senior Phil Drew, who did most of the catching last season, moves to first base due to increased depth behind home plate.  The versatile Drew, who played 2006 in the outfield, hit .361 in 33 starts last season and was second to John in most offensive categories. Drew and freshman Kyle Wooden look to solidify the defense and compete at first base. Transfers Brad Buchman (Lenoir-Rhyne) and Josh Sumler (Rappahanock C.C.) are projected to occupy the left side of the infield at third base and shortstop, respectively, with sophomore Drew Ward at second.  Senior Zach Schlesinger and freshman Jason Cox will provide added infield depth. Ward recorded a .929 fielding percentage and .312 batting average in 19 starts. Schlesinger hit .242 last year and had a .922 field percentage in 33 starts.

OUTFIELD: John, Guilford’s top hitter last season and Second Team All-ODAC, leads the outfield rotation along with Gurkin and junior Terrence Penn. Schlesinger, an infield utility player, may also play a major role in the outfield. Rounding out the outfielders are Byron Myers, Jordan Nelson and Alex Starbuck.

The Quakers play another challenging schedule in 2008. In addition to a difficult ODAC slate that features 2007 NCAA Regional participant Bridgewater College, Guilford also plays most of the USA South Athletic Conference with games against Ferrum College and Methodist University (both 2007 NCAA Tournament teams), Christopher Newport University, and Averett University. Guilford continues its crosstown rivalry with Greensboro College in a home-and-home series. The Quakers open the season at home against the Pride Feb. 6, while the March 25 game will be held at NewBridge Bank Park in downtown Greensboro. The Quakers also play a non-conference game with Tufts University for the fifth straight year and a pair of games against both Piedmont College and Division II Bluefield State College.  Guilford closes the regular season at Hooker Field in Martinsville, Va., in a night game with Ferrum.  Lynchburg, Virginia’s Calvin Falwell Field hosts the ODAC Tournament April 24-27.  The top-six finishers in the ODAC regular season advance to the tournament, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional Tournament.