BB: NWC: Northwest Conference

[Tezbaseball]

(Baseball, Jan. 31) The Lewis & Clark baseball season opens on Saturday, Feb. 4 when the Pioneers travel to Southern California for a weekend series against Pomona. The Pioneers will look very familiar this year, with 19 players returning from last year's squad.

The Pioneers regain the services of their top pitcher, Eric Maroncelli, this season. The junior will be joined on the staff by Jeff Corso, a sophomore who showed great promise at the beginning of the 2005 season. Tyler Smit, last season's most-consistent pitcher, will also be a major factor this season. The biggest change on the mound will be having Chris Estrella move from one end of the battery to the other. The catcher is being converted to a relief pitcher this season for the Pioneers.

Behind the plate, the catching squad goes five-deep, including the Pioneers' second-string freshman quarterback AJ Brown.

The infield will look very similar to last season with 2005 Team MVP Jordan Shibata patrolling the middle of the infield with senior Dan Paldino will be on the hot corner. Shibata lead the team last season with a .404 average and also held the team-lead in RBI and slugging percentage.

It will be a veteran outfield for the Pioneers with Greg Williams beginning his third season as a Pioneer starter and a key to both their offensive and defensive success. Williams led the team in home runs and stolen bases in 2005.

First year head coach Justin Baughman and his team play the first month of the season on the road, including an extensive road trip to Atlanta, Georgia. The Pioneers' first home game of the season will be a non-conference single game on Sunday, March 5 against Concordia.

[Tezbaseball]

Head coach Geoff Loomis says his 2006 Pacific Lutheran University baseball team will be better, offensively, than last year's squad. So for the Lutes to contend for the Northwest Conference title, he says the key will be the pitching.

"We're very unproven on the mound," Loomis said. "Outside of Joe DiPietro, Jeff Caley and Aaron Fulmer -- those three guys have had a lot of experience. But the rest of our staff, which is obviously bigger than three people, is pretty unproven."

"So to play for a league title our pitching is going to have to gain experience. If our young guys step up and fill those holes, then we're going to be okay," Loomis said.

The Lutes graduated Matt Serr, who won 20 games in his PLU career including seven last season, and single-season and career saves leader Aaron Roetcisoender. DiPietro, Caley and Fulmer, who combined for 10 victories last season, are the top returnees. Transfer Brett Brunner and freshman Dylan Stanford are the key newcomers. Brunner is expected to get some starts before the conference season while the hope is that Stanford can take over Roetcisoender's former role.

David Fox, who earned first team all-conference honors last season, returns as the starting catcher. Veteran Bryce DePew and freshman Brandon Sales are the top reserves. Fox started 33 of PLU's 39 games behind the plate last season, which is something Loomis hopes to avoid this spring. "I'd like to be able to spell him, have him DH in some games.

"One, we've got to prep somebody to be ready when Dave graduates, and two, it's tough...the wear and tear," Loomis said.

Eric Stanczyk is the top returnee at first base, with freshmen Jordan Post challenging for the starting role. Another freshman, Kris Hansen, is another possibility. Loomis says those three give the Lutes a good "right and left option" at the plate. Post, a left-handed hitter, will take over for Nolan Soete, who completed his eligibility last spring.

At second base, Roger Guzman and Jared Simon return. Guzman came on strong late in the season, finishing with a .413 average, while Simon can play three infield positions and had an on-base percentage of .411 last year and set the school record for hit-by-pitch. "They both bring something a little different to the table but both are solid defensive players," said Loomis.

At shortstop the Lutes return starter Logan Andrews, although he is recovering from a broken nose sufferered during pre-season workouts. If Andrews is forced to sit, Simon will start in his place.

Bobby Benes, who hit .357 last season, returns as the starting third baseman.

In the outfield, the Lutes graduated Jason Miller, who set a school record last year with 63 hits and was named to the all-conference first team. "The thing people forget about is that his outfield play was outstanding. He was a very good defensive left fielder, (so) defensively we're going to miss him as well," Loomis said.

Miller's spot in left field will be filled by freshmen Brandon Sales or Jordan Post. Ryan Thorne returns in center field and Justin Whitehall is back in right field. Thorne hit .348 with 22 RBI last season, while Whitehall was named to the all-conference second team after hitting .336 with 50 hits, 11 doubles and 28 RBI.

The Lutes finished with a 25-14 overall record, including 19-5 in the Northwest Conference last season. In the conference standings, the Lutes ended up in second place, one game behind Linfield and George Fox.

The Lutes were picked to finish third this season in the pre-season coaches poll.

[Tezbaseball]

Whitworth Hopes to Continue Improvement in 2006 

The Whitworth baseball improved the little things in 2005 and those little things paid big dividends for the Pirates on the field. The Bucs reduced their errors from 2004 by more than 20, improved the fielding percentage by 20 points, reduced the team earned run average by nearly a run and a half and cut down on the number of walks allowed by almost 70 last year. In the span of one season Whitworth improved from seventh to fourth in the final NWC standings and increased the season win total by six. Head Coach Keith Ward believes there is room for more improvement in 2006 and that improvement can have another significant impact on the overall results this spring.

"We are going to try to do what we did last year, but do it even better," said Ward, in his ninth season leading the Pirates. "I expect us to continue to be strong in areas like sacrifices and hit and run."

Ward has plenty of experience to work with as he continues to help the team to mature. Twenty lettermen, including five starting position players, return. Also included in that list are two starting pitchers and six pitchers with experience out of the bullpen. Twelve of the players on the roster are seniors.

"The strengths of this year's team are chemistry and work ethic," said Ward. "I credit the senior leadership for setting a great example."

Nick Froman (Jr., SS, Lake Stevens, Wash.) will anchor the infield and the batting order in 2006, once he recovers from an off-season injury that will keep him out of the much of the non-conference line-up. The led the Pirates last fall with a .336 batting average, five home runs and 27 runs batted in.

The rest of the infield is experienced as well. Todd Phillips (Sr., Brewster, Wash.) will start at first base for the second year in a row. He batted .305 last spring. Caleb Reaber (Sr., Victorville, Calif.), who split time at third base with Joel Clark (Jr., Spokane, Wash.) last year, will likely take over that role full time this year, while Clark moves over to second base. Reaber hit .272 with 20 runs batted in last year. Ryne Webb (Jr., Spokane, Wash.), a transfer who started at shortstop last season for the Community Colleges of Spokane, will probably fill the shortstop position until Froman's return and could play either second or third at any point this year.

Mike Marlow (Jr., Spokane, Wash.), a transfer from Gray's Harbor C. C. should make an immediate impact, as both a designated hitter and back up first baseman. Scott Wagstaff (So., Spokane, Wash.) had solid moments as a back up first baseman for the Pirates last spring.

Ryley Hunter (Sr., Cranbrook, B.C.) and Joel Evans (Sr., Spokane, Wash.) will likely split time behind the plate. The pair combined to drive in 17 runs in back up roles last season. Joel Tampien (Jr., Tekoa, Wash.) gives the Pirates solid depth at catcher.

The outfield will be anchored by Danny Pecka (Sr., Spokane, Wash.), who will likely move to center field after starting the last two years in right field. He has 15 defensive assists from the outfield over that time. Dustin Frank (Jr., Rathdrum, Idaho), who started 24 games last year with a team-best .347 batting average, will most likely start in right field this spring. Van Lierman (Jr., Bothell, Wash.) is a leading candidate to start in left field. He started 13 games last year and batted .280. Nate Rodland (So., Kirkland, Wash.), along with newcomer Corey Anderson (Fr., Spokane, Wash.), will give the Bucs depth in the outfield. Another alternative that Ward is considering is Trevor Sheffels (Sr., Wilbur, Wash.), who made 14 pitching appearances last year but is considered one of the best all-around athletes on the team.

Cody Person (Sr., Florence, Mont.) returns as a starting pitcher for the Pirates. Person finished 5-2 with a 3.48 earned run average last season after becoming a full time starter midway through the season. He was named Second Team All-NWC. Steve Hare (Jr., Spokane, Wash.), who got off to a great start with a 1.93 ERA before suffering a season-ending knee injury, should return to the starting mound as well this season. Jayson Stark (Jr., Prosser, Wash.) and Brandon Zimmerman (Jr., Spokane, Wash.) both have junior college experience and could take over the other starting role. Stark played at Pierce C. C. last season, while Zimmerman was at C. C. of Spokane.

Gregg Hare (Sr., Spokane, Wash.), who finished with five saves last season, is Whitworth's most experienced relief pitcher, along with Sheffels, who led the Pirates in appearances. Mark Redmond (So., Spokane, Wash.) is a transfer from College of the Desert in California who could make an immediate impact. Jason Weatherman (So., Chino, Calif.), Jordan Farkas (So., Anchorage, Alaska), and James Nelson (So., Port Orchard, Wash.) made solid contributions as freshmen and could see their roles increase this year. Rob Shields (Sr., Grand Coulee, Wash.) has three years experience with the Bucs. John Hauck (Fr., Spokane, Wash.) and Cory Cooper (Medical Lake, Wash.) give the Pirates solid depth in the bullpen.

Whitworth will open the season on February 12th at NAIA powerhouse Lewis-Clark State College. In all, Whitworth will play the Warriors five times in 2006, including two meetings at the Guardian Plumbing Tournament on February 24-25. Whitworth will also play four games at the Arizona Desert Classic on February 16-19, including NCAA West Region contests against University of La Verne and Cal State East Bay. The Northwest Conference will be as challenging as ever. Whitworth opens NWC play March 4-5 on the road at Pacific University. The Pirates' home-opening series will be against NWC-favorite George Fox University on March 11-12.

[Tezbaseball]

Heres the link http://www.linfield.edu/sports/sport/outlook.php?sport=bb

[LCLetters]

Whew, just read the Linfield season outlook, and well, eek, it confirms all my suspicions.  Too bad about Lawrence, he could do so well!  From what I hear, Shearer's going to get challenged for his starting 3rd base position by Bachofner early off, but other than that I think the outlook seems pretty accurate.  A lot of new faces to varsity to look forward to, anybody know when the marathon game is?

[BigPoppa]

Check out this interesting list on the Carthage web page:

Do any of the teams listed surprise you?

http://www.carthage.edu/athletics/index.cfm?page=325

[andrewf]

I'm too lazy to do a full write-up so i'll just put the GFU one up.

/13 – PREVIEW: Eight Returning Regulars, Deep Pitching Fuel Bruins' Optimism for 2006 Baseball

NEWBERG, Ore. – Any team that makes it to the World Series hopes to get back some day – and the George Fox University Bruins are no exception.

The Bruins captured the NCAA Division III national championship in 2004, but were denied an at-large bid to the 2005 playoffs and a chance to defend that title, despite another record-setting year. The Bruins went 32-12, tying a record for most wins in the regular season, and won 15 in a row in mid-season, another record. With a fielding average of .979, the Bruins led the nation for the second time in three years and established a new Division III standard. A 20-4 record in Northwest Conference play netted the Bruins a share of their fourth straight conference crown, but the league's automatic bid to the playoffs went to arch-rival Linfield College, which won the season series 2-1.

Now, with eight regulars in the lineup returning and possibly the deepest pitching staff the program has ever had, NWC Co-Coach of the Year Pat Bailey believes the pieces are in place for yet another run at the NWC championship and more post-season play.

"On paper, we're solid and deep," says Bailey, whose 10-year record stands at 294-132 and whose .690 winning percentage ranks 18th among active D-III coaches. "Two things we need: we must avoid injuries to our key players, and we must have everyone buy into the 'team' concept and not worry about their individual statistics or playing time."

Pitching

When assessing the Bruins' pitching, Bailey points out that "we don't have anyone the caliber of Scott Hyde (the 2004 ace who was National Co-Pitcher of the Year and MVP of the World Series) – hardly anyone does – but we have the next-best thing in Derrick Jones (Sr., Forest Grove, Ore. / Forest Grove HS)."

Targeted as the Bruins' closer at the start of the season, Jones moved into the starting rotation at No. 1 after the conference-opening Linfield series and went 9-1 with 2.50 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 75.2 innings, earning NWC Co-Pitcher of the Year honors. Toss in a .377 batting average with 10 home runs and 63 RBI (4th in the nation) as the Bruins' designated hitter, and it is easy to see how he was voted First Team All-West Region and First Team All-America as a utility player.

Jones has had a history of arm problems, so Bailey will be judicious with his time on the mound until conference play starts. "We've got to have Derrick," admits Bailey, "because we have a lot of people who are capable of handing the 2 and 3 spots in the rotation."

Southpaw Brandon Rupp (Sr., Beaverton, Ore. / Southridge HS) is set to return to the No. 2 role after earning Second Team All-NWC honors with a 7-5 record, 3.36 ERA, and 70 strikeouts in a staff-leading 88.1 innings. "Brandon is a tough, smart competitor who mixes his pitches well and is a real team leader," says Bailey.

Jordan Purdy (Sr., Keizer, Ore. / McNary HS) is the incumbent at No. 3 after receiving All-NWC honorable mention with a 6-0 record, 4.14 ERA, and 47 strikeouts in 71.2 innings, but is being challenged by Chris Albrecht (Jr., Woodinville, Wash. / Woodinville HS), a transfer from Division I Gonzaga University where he was a middle reliever, and Preston Langeliers (So., Pleasant Hill, Ore. / Pleasant Hill HS), a transfer from Columbia Basin College.

"Jordan has the stuff; he just needs consistency," notes Bailey. "Chris is a very competitive lefty who has to locate to be effective and throws a splitter for strikeouts; he reminds me of Cory Dixon (No. 2 starter behind Hyde two years ago) who was at his best in the big games. Preston is the second-hardest thrower on the team with an 85-90 mph fastball, but he must get command of his slider and change."

Crafty southpaw Nick Hedgecock (So., Portland, Ore. / Wilson HS) returns as the closer after an outstanding freshman year in which he was 2-3 with a 3.17 ERA and a record-tying 6 saves. "Nick should be even better this year," says Bailey, "because of our improved middle relief; we can throw him more often but with fewer innings."

The middle relief corps has been completely retooled and is deep. Daniel Grierson (So., Portland, Ore. / Parkrose HS), who was 2-1 with a 6.23 ERA in 30.1 innings as a freshman, is the one middle reliever with some college experience. Along with whoever is not in the third spot in the rotation, Bailey can also choose from among newcomers Jeff Wheeler (Jr., Milwaukie, Ore. / Rex Putnam HS), who transferred from Mt. Hood Community College, Nick Bratney (Fr., Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS), lefty Matt Wyckoff (Fr., Olympia, Wash. / Olympia HS), and Kyle Johnson (Fr., Spring Valley, Calif. / Steel Canyon HS).

"Daniel will be very valuable in our bullpen because he knows what it takes to win at this level," says Bailey. "Wheeler, Bratney, and Wyckoff are all big athletes with good fastballs; Jeff and Matt get it up there at 84-88, while Nick is a groundball guy with a good sinker. Kyle is a strike-throwing machine with three pitches."

Also available if needed are Rase Rowley (Jr., Aloha, Ore. / Aloha HS), who was 0-0 with a 2.25 ERA in limited action, and newcomers Jon Pope (Fr., Sandy, Utah / Jordan HS) and Nick Metz (Fr., Edgewood, Wash. / Puyallup HS).

Catching

The George Fox catching is in capable and experienced hands with switch-hitting Ryan Fobert (So., Dallas, Ore. / Dallas HS) and Kevin Kopple (Sr., Vallejo, Calif. / St. Patrick-St. Vincent HS). Fobert hit .276 with 4 home runs and 15 RBI as a freshman, while Kopple contributed a .250 average with 11 RBI.

"Ryan has progressed offensively and is throwing better to second; his timing and accuracy are much improved," observes Bailey. "Kevin will also see a good bit of playing time as our veteran catcher."

Providing depth behind the dish will be rookie Peter Shanks (Fr., Friday Harbor, Wash. / Friday Harbor HS).

Infield

The Bruins lost only one starter from last year's lineup, but that was a big one – All-American shortstop David Peterson, who signed with the Texas Rangers. Plugging that hole is Bailey's biggest challenge this season, and he has four candidates, all with good potential, fighting for the spot.

The only one with any college experience is Jake Atwell-Scrivener (So., Bellevue, Wash. / Newport HS), who hit .167 in limited action as a freshman. Bo Thunell (Fr., Canyon City, Ore. / Grant Union HS), the state 2A Player of the Year, appears to be the front-runner in the early going, but he will be pushed by Josh Burch (Fr., Redding, Calif. / Shasta HS) and Patrick Bailey (Fr., Highland, Utah / Lone Peak HS), who is not related to the coach.

Second baseman C.R. Braniff (Sr., Hillsboro, Ore. / Century HS) is this year's infield anchor after earning First Team All-NWC and Second Team All-West Region honors. He hit .363 with 31 RBI, 14 doubles, and 13 stolen bases, and is a slick fielder who made only 3 errors all season. "C.R is our infield glue," says Bailey. "He's batted second for us in the past, but may move further down in the order because he is so clutch at driving in runs."

Third base belongs to Tye Tinner (Sr., Portland, Ore. / Grant HS), who batted .315 with 2 home runs and 18 RBI but missed several games in mid-season due to an illness which sapped his strength for quite a while. Marc Mason (Sr., Lake Oswego, Ore. / Lakeridge HS) did a yeoman's job filling in, batting .370 with a home run and 15 RBI. "Both Tye and Marc will play a lot," admits Bailey. "Marc has a little more pop in his bat, but Tye is the better defensive player, so it may just depend on match-ups and who's hot."

Gehrig Richins (Sr., Lake Oswego, Ore. / Lakeridge HS), who batted .340 with 3 home runs and 35 RBI, returns at first, with Bryan Donohue (Jr., Gersham, Ore. / Sam Barlow HS), a transfer from Mt. Hood Community College, pushing for playing time as well. "Gehrig had some big hits for us last year, and we look for even more of the same this year," says Bailey. "Bryan has great eye at the plate and would be great in the No. 2 hole."

Wyckoff, when he isn't pitching, can also play first, and Bailey likes him for the future. "Matt will be a big-time hitter in this league before he's through," the coach predicts. Chris Fine (So., Burlington, Wash. / Burlingotn-Edison HS) is also available for duty at first if needed.

Back-up infielders include Ryan Van Oostrum (So., Yakima, Wash. / East Valley HS), who appeared in six games last year, Greg Stocklein (So., Sacramento, calif. / Oakmont HS), a transfer from Lewis & Clark College, and Nate Brown (Fr., Kingston, Wash. / North Kitsap HS).

Outfield

"We are easily five deep in the outfield," says Bailey. The Bruins return Daniel Downs (Jr., Kirkland, Wash. / Bellevue Christian HS) in left, Drew Johnson (Jr., New Plymouth, Idaho / New Plymouth HS) in center, and Dan Wentzell (Jr., Tualatin, Ore. / Tualatin HS) in right. Downs hit .352 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI to earn Second Team All-NWC and Third Team All-Region honors, Johnson hit .365 with 19 RBI and 27 stolen bases from his leadoff spot to garner First Team All-NWC and Second Team All-Region awards, and Wentzell finished with a flourish, slugging 5 home runs in the final week to end with a .339 average, 8 home runs and 41 RBI.

"If those three become even more consistent, the offensive production of our outfielders will really be something," says Bailey. "They all have good speed, Johnson especially, and pretty much catch everything hit their way." None, in fact, had any errors during the season.

Lefty-swinging Nic Chapin (Jr., Oregon City, Ore. / Oregon City HS) will be in the lineup somewhere. "Nic is a line-drive hitter whose best position is left field, and he will be a welcome addition to our roster," says Bailey of the transfer from Oregon State University.

Evan Hagen (Jr., Olympia, Wash. / Tumwater HS), a fine defensive outfielder, returns and will see plenty of playing time if he can pull up his batting average after struggling to an .042 mark last season. Andrew Martin (Sr., Toledo, Wash. / Toledo HS), who hit .125 primarily as a pinch-hitter and defensive replacement, is also available. Providing outfield depth are newcomers Jeremiah Frey (So., Medford, Ore. / Rogue River HS), a transfer from Shasta Community College; Jason Brown (Fr., Battle Ground, Wash. / Prairie HS); Nate Szymanowski (Fr., Spokane, Wash. / Freeman HS); and Kyle Kuenzi (Fr., Silverton, Ore. / Silverton HS).

Summary

With a record of 183-81 over the last six years, George Fox ranks 21st in wins among all Division III schools in the 2000s, has won or shared five conference crowns, and made four post-season appearances. The Bruins are favored to win the Northwest Conference this year by the league's coaches, and were picked 26th nationally in the pre-season by Collegiate Baseball magazine. That's a strong legacy, and Bailey is excited about the challenge of measuring up.

"This is the best depth, with the best arms overall, that we've had at George Fox," says Bailey. "We have a lot of pieces, and the sooner we find out who fits best in which spots, the sooner we will jell as a team. We go 10 or 12 deep in pitching. Defensively, we may not be quite as strong after losing the experience and glove of Peterson, but we'll certainly get the job done. Offensively, we had a good year (the team hit .330, stole a record 89 bases, and averaged 8.2 runs a game), but I think we're capable of putting even more runs on the board this year."

[Tuxguy]

not sure how to vote.....lost the chad somewhere, think it's hanging around here somewhere, I think you know who i'd vote for...........WILDCATS!!!!!!!!!

[swede]

Tezbaseball
Congrats on your employment with the Lancaster Jet Hawks.  I hear its a long class A season with somewhere around 140 games excluding the playoffs. Who hired you?
Anyway, congratulations again.

I  bookmarked the team site. I saw last year where they were 1st in the league in both hitting and pitching and are a class A advanced team.

[Tezbaseball]

Tezbaseball
Congrats on your employment with the Lancaster Jet Hawks.  I hear its a long class A season with somewhere around 140 games excluding the playoffs. Who hired you?
Anyway, congratulations again.

I  bookmarked the team site. I saw last year where they were 1st in the league in both hitting and pitching and are a class A advanced team.

Swede,
Thanks. I was hired by the JetHawks and Diamondbacks. It should be a fun summer. I start work March 20th.

[bergybit]

Willamette's now 5-1 (3 of 3 at Occidental and 2 of 3 at Menlo College).  Occidental is projected to be pretty weak but Menlo's supposed to have a fairly good team.  Willamette's defense looked solid and their pitching stood up well.   I saw some of the games at Occidental and Menlo and was really impressed and a bit surprised by the quality of play (particularly with Willamette and Menlo).   Being new to D-III baseball, I didn't know what to expect.  Hopefully Willamette can keep it up (or a reasonable approximation...) during conference play.

OK, this has been bugging me, so as a parent of a freshman, I have to ask this - is it a pretty rare situation when a freshman position player gets much playing time at this point in the season?   All you baseball parents out there know where I coming from!

[BigPoppa]

I would think it is very rare for freshmen to see much polaying time at all during their freshmen year. Most coaches give them a little time here and there unless he is an impact player right off the bat. I know of many D3 All-Americans that did not see the field until they were juniors... gotta put in your time.

[Orca Jr.]

OK, this has been bugging me, so as a parent of a freshman, I have to ask this - is it a pretty rare situation when a freshman position player gets much playing time at this point in the season? All you baseball parents out there know where I coming from!

While it is rare, occasionally (from my experience being very close to the 'Cats baseball team the last three years) freshman will get some playing time early in the season.  However, don't let hopes get too high because come conference play, that will most likely end.  A lot of younger players become discouraged when they see the PT taken from them after seeing some innings early in the season. 
Jr.

[Tezbaseball]

http://www.linfield.edu/sports/release.php?id=1375

YAMHILL COUNTY SPRING CLASSIC SCHEDULE
Subject to change due to weather
Thursday, February 23
Corban vs. George Fox, 2 p.m., Morse Field, Newberg
Concordia vs. Linfield, 2 p.m., Helser Field, McMinnville
British Columbia vs. Pacific Lutheran, 6 p.m., Helser Field, McMinnville

Friday, February 24
Whitman vs. Concordia, 10 a.m., Morse Field, Newberg
George Fox vs. British Columbia, 2 p.m., Morse Field, Newberg
Pacific Lutheran vs. Corban, 2 p.m., Helser Field, McMinnville
Linfield vs. Whitman, 6 p.m., Helser Field, McMinnville

Saturday, February 25
George Fox vs. Pacific Lutheran, 10 a.m., Morse Field, Newberg
Pacific Lutheran v.Concordia, 2 p.m., Morse Field, Newberg
Linfield vs. British Columbia, 2 p.m., Helser Field, McMinnville
Whitman vs. Corban, 6 p.m., Helser Field, McMinnville

Sunday, February 26
British Columbia vs. Whitman, 10 a.m., Helser Field, McMinnville
Corban vs. Linfield, 2 p.m., Helser Field, McMinnville
Concordia vs. George Fox, 2 p.m., Morse Field, Newberg

   


 

[andrewf]

I would agree it's a pretty rare thing for freshmen to get significant playing time.  Everyone's making good points, at the beginning of the season many coaches are looking to see which players will do well and play everyone a fairly large amount of time before trimming down who will really play.

Still, at George Fox I've seen 2 freshmen in the past 2 years that have started so it's a definite possibility.