2005

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ECCC Diamond Warriors host Co-Lin Feb. 9 in season opener

After struggling through last's year 12-29 campaign - which was hampered by injuries to several key players - the outlook seems much brighter this season for the East Central Community College baseball team. The Diamond Warriors, who begin 2005 action by hosting Copiah-Lincoln Community College in a 2 p.m. doubleheader at Jamie Clark Memorial Field on Wednesday, February 9, are healthy and ready to get the season under– way, said fourth-year head coach Jake Yarborough. Although Yarborough was hesitant to predict wins and losses, he is confident that this year's squad has what it takes to be successful. "This is the best defensive team that we have had in a while. We are very solid on the infield and we've got good speed in the out– field . Our pitchers are especially excited about our defense. We also have good team spee

assistant is Dusty Hillman, who joined the coaching staff last fall after serving as a member of the Mid-Missouri Mavericks, an inde– pendent professional baseball team based in Columbia, Missouri. Hillman, a former standout at William Carey College, Delta State University and Teylorsville High School, is responsible for infielders and base runners, and has weight room responsibilities. "Coach Hillman works well with our players. He demands a lot from our guys and ma~cs them accountable. He is a great addition to the coaching staff," Yarborough said. The complete 2005 roster includes sophomores Andre Coleman (pitcher/outfielder) of Louisville, Brandon Ezell (second base/third base), Bud Loper (short stop/pitcher) Will Pearson (first base/outfield) and Joseph Cavenaugh (outfielder), all of Newton County; Josh Miller (pitch– er) of Elysian Fields, Texas; Kevin Hatch (pitcher) of Carthage, Corey Coward (catcher/first base) of Noxapater, Cody Savell (pitcher) and Lucas Poole (pitcher), both of Newton, Marcus Davis (outfielder/pitcher) of Magee and Van Wilson (outfielder) of West Lauderdale, and freshmen Jon Maxie (short stop) and Dillon Mcinnis (outfielder), both ofGreene County; Sam Thames (second base) of Newton Academy, James Harris (short stop), Ken Gordon (catcher) and John Harris (outfield– er), all of Morton; Travis Butler (outfielder) and Taylor Petty (catch– er/outfielder), both of Neshoba Central; Jon Cole (pitcher) of Brandon, Josh Hawkins (catcher) and Wes Cox (first base), both of Forest; Chris Pierce (second base) of Petal, Justin Millinax (pitcher) of Albertville, Ala.; Keith Edwards (third base) of Louisville, John Fortenberry (pitcher) of Carthage and Ross Pine (pitcher/first base) of Live Oak, La.

the team this year. I also expect him to have a good season on the mound," Yarborough said. Yarborough said top returnees on the pitching staff include Josh Miller of Elysian Fields, Texas; Cody Savell of Newton County and Kevin Hatch of Carthage, each of whom had impressive stats during fall competition. Miller, a 6-1, 193-pound southpaw from Elysian Fields, Texas, put up the most impressive numbers last fall by fanning 28 bat– ters m 22 innings of work. He allowed 15 bits. Savell, a 6-3, 2 I 6-pound right-hander, also had a successful fall campaign as he struck out 17 batters over 18 innings and also gave up I 5 hits. Hatch, a 6-5, 205-pound right-hander, posted 12 strike outs in 18 innings of work and allowed 13 hits. Yarborough said Hatch, a side– ann hurler, will be the top reliever this spring. Another top returnee on the mound is Andre Coleman (6-2, 176) of Louisville. Yarborough said top slug– gers dunng fall competition were Corey Coward of Noxapater, Van Wilson of West Lauderdale, Taylor Petty ofNeshoba Central and Marcus Davis ofMagee. Coward, a 6-2, 212-pound catcher/ first baseman, batted .422 with one home run and seven dou– bles last fall. He completed the 2004 season with a .423 average and had two home runs, four doubles and 13 RBis. Wilson (6- 1, 197), an out– fielder, posted a .360 average and slugged two home runs and five doubles during fall competition. Petty (6-1, 165), ., a catcher/outfielder, also batted .360, and Davis, a 6-3, 199-pound outfielder/pitcher, had a .306 aver– age with two home runs. Davis bat– ted .289 in 2004 and had five home runs, two triples, four doubles and 27 RBis. • Serving as Yarborough 's

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