1995

Diamond Warriors begin '95 "Play ball" may or may not be heard at major league parks this spring, but sounds of the national pastime will definitely be heard at East Central Community College where the Diamond Warriors begin season play on Friday, February 17. East Central has two single games scheduled on opening day: a rare 10:30 a .m. contest with Bevill followed by a 3:30 matchup against division opponent Jones County Junior College. An invitational tournament is on tap for the weekend on the Decatur campus and includes Bevill, Jones, Wallace State and ECCC in the two-day competition. Dumas and reliever David Cox who set a school record for appearances. Both are continuing their athletic careers at William Carey College. Other top pitchers lost via gradua– tion include Tommy Holland and Jamie Morrow. Holland posted a 4-1 mark and Morrow now plays at Mississippi College. But Clark expressed confidence in returning hurlers Jason Wilkins of Enterprise and Todd Reeves of Newton County. Wilkins, who went 5-4 record last year and registered 19 strikeouts in one divi– sion game, enters the season as the top rated starter. Reeves, the only other sophomore pitcher, is ex– pected to work as a middle reliever. Although he has only two returnees on the mound, Clark said he expects a "big boost" from his freshman pitching staff which he describes as "excellent."

needed depth." . Two flrst baseman return from last season, who are Matt Smith of Sidon and Kevin Nelson of Clinton. Smith, who batted .310, is coming off shoulder surgery and is still not at full strength. Clark describes Nelson as the team's "most improv– ed player." A 2.69 hitter last year, Nelson will probably move to another posnion when Smith is healthy. Battling for the starting job at se– cond base are also two sophomores, Chris Ezelle of Union and Chad Ardoin of Hurley and a transfer from Mary Holmes. Ezelle batted .269 last season and is expected to be the team's leadoff hitter. Returning at shortstop is Ricky John of Ne hoba Central who hit .300 with three home runs last year. John will probably bat second tn this season's lineup. Freshman Carey Lambert of Gonzale , Lout– siana, could challenge for the short– stop position, meaning John may possibly move to third base. Clark said Raymond Johnson of Philadelphia is expected to return at third base after missing most of 1994 due to a broken jaw suffered in the Itawamba series. Johnson, whom Clark describes as an "outstanding'' Fielder, is also effec– tive at the plate as he was hitting .298 when he )Ustained his mjur~. A lso scheduled to see playmg time at third base is Shane \1cGee, a freshman from Leake Academ~ McGee is coming off elbov. pro– blems that made him mi<. all i

Fans should once again witness an excitiflg brand of baseball under head coach Jamie Clark who enters his eighth season at the Warrior helm. This year's squad features 14 returnees from the '94 club which posted a 29-20 overall mark. Coach clark obviously expects another successful campaign from his talent-laden team. "Even though we lost several key players due to graduation, I feel we have an outstanding group o f sophomores and freshmen on this year's team. I am especially pleas– ed with the new players and feel all of our recruiting needs were met,'' he said. One area o f possible concern for Clark may be the pitching staff which he has had to " rebuild" due to the graduation of several outstanding hurlers including All– South Division performers Scotty

Staff members include starters Hank Thorns of Newton, Mitch Covington of Denham Springs, Louisiana; and Willis Lally of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana; short relievers Brandel Russell of Newton County and Mark Davis of Emer– p rise; long relievers Germaine Chambers of Noxapater and Craig Vowell of Philadelphia; middle reliever Tony Perozo of Lake; and spo t reliever J oey Rigdon o f Newton County. Clark said Brooks Bryan of Philadelphia will also be counted on during the pitching rotation. The ECCC head mentOr said he's "very pleased" with the talent from his infield, an area that "really