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Bigsheen · 03-22-2016, 02:29 AM

Blue Raider Preview

Mid Tennessee State plays in the nine-member Sun Belt. They are middle of the pack in terms of talent, maybe even slightly underrated. Coach Peterson enters his 25th season at MTSU and two years removed from his last conference title as well as regional appearance, after moving to the Sun Belt in 2001.

Pitching
The rotation is young, but provides plenty of opportunity for current and future success in Murfreesboro. This years Friday starter will be redshirt junior Matt Scott. The sinkerballer earned Second Team All-Region laurels last season and has the ability to go deep into games with his ability to induce ground balls. Redshirt junior Tyler Copeland and true freshman Brett Smalley will finish out the rest of the three and four game weekend sets. Copeland throws strikes and thats about the only thing guaranteed of him while Smalley probably isnt quite suited for a weekend role as just a first year guy, but he is the only other pitcher with the ability to work passed the first five innings so Peterson's hands are tied.

Mid-week starters this year will be junior transfer Nick Marrs who comes in after two years at the University of North Alabama followed by true freshman Chad Coley. Marrs could easily find himself in the weekend rotation if Smalley cannot contribute what is expected of him.

The bullpen is full of upperclassmen that have yet to prove their worth as a Blue Raider. Josh Anderson, Tommy Sterritt, Chad Edwards, and Langdon Stanley will battle for the middle to late innings, while Allan Woodward is slated in to close out close ballgames in 2006.

In the field
While the pitching staff is certainly not expected to light up any headlines, the lineup is going to be leaned on to carry the workload, early and often. They are led by returning designated hitter, Todd Martin who was named an ABCA All-American last season after finishing with a .412 batting average.

Also expected to carry some weight this year is catcher Michael McKenry

To round out the infield, Rawley Bishop will be starting at first as a true freshman. Josh Horn will feature as the starter at second with his partner Jeff Beachum starting across the diamond at short. 6'6 junior Wayne Kendrick will start at the hot corner with pressure from freshman Taylor Dennis for playing time. Freshman Myles Ervin has the ability to play both middle infield spots, so expect him to see plenty of time early on.

The MTSU outfield features some talent and experience to create one of the better outfield's in the Sun Belt. Centerfielder Nathan Hines is the main name to highlight after being named to the Sun Belt All-Tournament team after his performance in last years post season. Marcus Taylor (RF) is the only senior of the three starters and is known more for his defensive abilities than that with a bat. Junior Adam Warren starts in left field and is probably one of the more underrated players for coach Peterson. They have plenty on the bench in case of injury or poor performance. If Doug Birkofer was on probably any other team in the Sun Belt, he would probably be starting, but for now he will be the fourth outfielder. Senor Chase Eakes and freshman Dillon Heath round out the bench.

The defense is experienced with 6 of the 8 being at least a junior. The two underclassmen are Bishop (Fr.) and Hines (So.)

Lineups

vs. RHP/LHP
SS Jeff Beachum
CF Nathan Hines
3B Wayne Kendrick
DH Todd Martin
LF Adam Warren
C Michael McKenry
2B Josh Horn
1B Rawley Bishop
RF Marcus Taylor

03-22-2016, 02:29 AM	#4
Bigsheen MVP OVR: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010	Re: MTSU Baseball Dynasty l MVP NCAA Baseball 06 Blue Raider Preview Mid Tennessee State plays in the nine-member Sun Belt. They are middle of the pack in terms of talent, maybe even slightly underrated. Coach Peterson enters his 25th season at MTSU and two years removed from his last conference title as well as regional appearance, after moving to the Sun Belt in 2001. Pitching The rotation is young, but provides plenty of opportunity for current and future success in Murfreesboro. This years Friday starter will be redshirt junior Matt Scott. The sinkerballer earned Second Team All-Region laurels last season and has the ability to go deep into games with his ability to induce ground balls. Redshirt junior Tyler Copeland and true freshman Brett Smalley will finish out the rest of the three and four game weekend sets. Copeland throws strikes and thats about the only thing guaranteed of him while Smalley probably isnt quite suited for a weekend role as just a first year guy, but he is the only other pitcher with the ability to work passed the first five innings so Peterson's hands are tied. Mid-week starters this year will be junior transfer Nick Marrs who comes in after two years at the University of North Alabama followed by true freshman Chad Coley. Marrs could easily find himself in the weekend rotation if Smalley cannot contribute what is expected of him. The bullpen is full of upperclassmen that have yet to prove their worth as a Blue Raider. Josh Anderson, Tommy Sterritt, Chad Edwards, and Langdon Stanley will battle for the middle to late innings, while Allan Woodward is slated in to close out close ballgames in 2006. In the field While the pitching staff is certainly not expected to light up any headlines, the lineup is going to be leaned on to carry the workload, early and often. They are led by returning designated hitter, Todd Martin who was named an ABCA All-American last season after finishing with a .412 batting average. Also expected to carry some weight this year is catcher Michael McKenry To round out the infield, Rawley Bishop will be starting at first as a true freshman. Josh Horn will feature as the starter at second with his partner Jeff Beachum starting across the diamond at short. 6'6 junior Wayne Kendrick will start at the hot corner with pressure from freshman Taylor Dennis for playing time. Freshman Myles Ervin has the ability to play both middle infield spots, so expect him to see plenty of time early on. The MTSU outfield features some talent and experience to create one of the better outfield's in the Sun Belt. Centerfielder Nathan Hines is the main name to highlight after being named to the Sun Belt All-Tournament team after his performance in last years post season. Marcus Taylor (RF) is the only senior of the three starters and is known more for his defensive abilities than that with a bat. Junior Adam Warren starts in left field and is probably one of the more underrated players for coach Peterson. They have plenty on the bench in case of injury or poor performance. If Doug Birkofer was on probably any other team in the Sun Belt, he would probably be starting, but for now he will be the fourth outfielder. Senor Chase Eakes and freshman Dillon Heath round out the bench. The defense is experienced with 6 of the 8 being at least a junior. The two underclassmen are Bishop (Fr.) and Hines (So.) Lineups vs. RHP/LHP SS Jeff Beachum CF Nathan Hines 3B Wayne Kendrick DH Todd Martin LF Adam Warren C Michael McKenry 2B Josh Horn 1B Rawley Bishop RF Marcus Taylor Last edited by Bigsheen; 03-22-2016 at 02:48 AM.