By Nick Brockman
Messenger Sports Reporter
nbrockman@the-messenger.com
The Tradewater Pirates have wasted little time assembling their 2009 roster and the team announced its seven newest additions on Friday.
Most notable among the latest signees is left-handed pitcher/outfielder Sean Mahley, who played on the 2008 Pirate crew and helped lead Tradewater to a K.I.T. League regular season championship.
Mahley represents one of three listed pitchers thus far, and assistant coach Brad Cowan said Mahley's experience in the league will no doubt help the Pirates.
"If there are some returning guys that he recognizes on the other squads, he can give me some insight on them, how to pitch them and stuff like that," Cowan said. "As far as the rest of the team goes, same thing. He can let the other guys know what to expect from the league. It's always good to have a veteran around because they can help everybody else adjust."
Last season, Mahley, at 6-0, 167 pounds, posted a 1-2 record in four starts on the mound. By season's end, Mahley recorded 40 strikeouts in 402/3 innings pitched and a 2.21 earned-run average.
nbrockman@the-messenger.com
The Tradewater Pirates have wasted little time assembling their 2009 roster and the team announced its seven newest additions on Friday.
Most notable among the latest signees is left-handed pitcher/outfielder Sean Mahley, who played on the 2008 Pirate crew and helped lead Tradewater to a K.I.T. League regular season championship.
Mahley represents one of three listed pitchers thus far, and assistant coach Brad Cowan said Mahley's experience in the league will no doubt help the Pirates.
"If there are some returning guys that he recognizes on the other squads, he can give me some insight on them, how to pitch them and stuff like that," Cowan said. "As far as the rest of the team goes, same thing. He can let the other guys know what to expect from the league. It's always good to have a veteran around because they can help everybody else adjust."
Last season, Mahley, at 6-0, 167 pounds, posted a 1-2 record in four starts on the mound. By season's end, Mahley recorded 40 strikeouts in 402/3 innings pitched and a 2.21 earned-run average.
At the plate, Mahley, a sophomore at University of the Cumberlands, compiled a .296 batting average and .395 on-base percentage in 47 games played. Mahley contributed run production and speed as well with his 21 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Of his 42 hits on the season, 15 went for extra bases.
Joining Mahley on the mound this season will be right-handed pitchers Ben Riggins (Indiana University) and Drake Huggans (Northeastern Junior College, Colo.).
Like Mahley, Huggans will platoon as a pitcher and outfielder. Riggins, however, will be used strictly as a pitcher.
During his senior season at Bloomington South High School (Ind.), Riggins led his team in wins, innings and strikeouts as a captain. The 6-1, 175 pound Riggins also hit .277 with three home runs.
Behind the plate, Miquel Vasquez (University of the Cumberlands) will split time with the earlier signed Michael Cagley of Nicholls State University (La.). At 5-10, 194 pounds, Vasquez's frame will provide a solid target for the Pirate pitching corps and as a junior, his experience will also help him command the game.
Brock Green, a freshman from Ouachita Baptist University (Ark.), will battle for time with Beau Faulk. Both players are listed at the corner infield positions, first and third base.
Green, a 6-2, 195 pound all-state (Ark.) selection in 2007 and 2008, was also a member of his high school's 2008 conference championship chess team.
Rounding out the latest additions to the Tradewater lineup are two players who hail from colleges in Oklahoma, Joe Halley (Vernon College) and Jordan Hughes (Oklahoma City University). Halley will be used both in the outfield and infield while Hughes will work solely in the outfield.
Whether it's infield, outfield or on the mound, one thing the Pirates and other KIT teams will have in common is a core of young players.
Cowan said there are both positives and negatives that accompany having an inexperienced squad.
"There's advantages in the fact that they're young and they're eager to learn because they're new into the college spotlight," he said. "Disadvantages, there is more to teach them. Some of these guys don't know as much about the game as the veteran guys. They don't have the experience. It should be a challenge, but it should be a fun challenge."
The challenge begins with Tradewater's season-opener on May 29 against the Marion Bobcats at Riverside Park.
Joining Mahley on the mound this season will be right-handed pitchers Ben Riggins (Indiana University) and Drake Huggans (Northeastern Junior College, Colo.).
Like Mahley, Huggans will platoon as a pitcher and outfielder. Riggins, however, will be used strictly as a pitcher.
During his senior season at Bloomington South High School (Ind.), Riggins led his team in wins, innings and strikeouts as a captain. The 6-1, 175 pound Riggins also hit .277 with three home runs.
Behind the plate, Miquel Vasquez (University of the Cumberlands) will split time with the earlier signed Michael Cagley of Nicholls State University (La.). At 5-10, 194 pounds, Vasquez's frame will provide a solid target for the Pirate pitching corps and as a junior, his experience will also help him command the game.
Brock Green, a freshman from Ouachita Baptist University (Ark.), will battle for time with Beau Faulk. Both players are listed at the corner infield positions, first and third base.
Green, a 6-2, 195 pound all-state (Ark.) selection in 2007 and 2008, was also a member of his high school's 2008 conference championship chess team.
Rounding out the latest additions to the Tradewater lineup are two players who hail from colleges in Oklahoma, Joe Halley (Vernon College) and Jordan Hughes (Oklahoma City University). Halley will be used both in the outfield and infield while Hughes will work solely in the outfield.
Whether it's infield, outfield or on the mound, one thing the Pirates and other KIT teams will have in common is a core of young players.
Cowan said there are both positives and negatives that accompany having an inexperienced squad.
"There's advantages in the fact that they're young and they're eager to learn because they're new into the college spotlight," he said. "Disadvantages, there is more to teach them. Some of these guys don't know as much about the game as the veteran guys. They don't have the experience. It should be a challenge, but it should be a fun challenge."
The challenge begins with Tradewater's season-opener on May 29 against the Marion Bobcats at Riverside Park.
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