Cavs Set to Continue Baseball Program Upswing

February 5, 2008

Wise, Va. -- The University of Virginia’s College at Wise has experienced its most victories in back-to-back baseball seasons in school history the last two years. The 2008 roster is a veteran and very talented group who have expectations running high to continue the program upswing.

The Highland Cavaliers set a school for victories with a 32-17-1 mark last spring. Under 12th-year head coach Hank Banner, UVa-Wise finished fourth in the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament to qualify for the NAIA Region XII championships where the team captured third place.

The 2008 campaign begins this weekend with a three-game series on Friday and Saturday at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Ga. The squad will play a single nine-inning contest Friday at 4:00 p.m. and a twinbill starting at 12:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

UVa-Wise produced the program’s most wins after working to a 28-19 mark for 2007 and a two-year 60-36-1 (.624) combined record.

The 2008 Cavs will have a real veteran flavor with seven of eight starting position players back as well as seven of the top eight hurlers to mix with a sprinkle of a solid group of young newcomers.

“I feel one of our strengths is our experience,” says coach Banner. “We have good team chemistry and the people we added will just enhance it.”

NAIA Preseason All-America designated hitter junior Brad Robbins and NAIA All-Region XII junior outfielder Josh Verts team with three All-AAC seniors, pitcher David Jones, short stop Jorge Laboy and pitcher/first baseman John Bigley to form the foundation of the club picked fourth in the league’s preseason coaches poll.

“Offensively we have the potential to be better as long as we can build on what they did last year,” pointed out Banner.

Robbins, Verts, Laboy, Bigley and senior outfielder Matt Hall helped set five team season records in batting average (.351), hits (345), doubles (120), home runs (46) and slugging percentage (.524).

Two-time all-conference Jones and seniors Brock Funk and Matt Begley will anchor the pitching rotation/staff.

“We weren’t real deep last year but what the pitchers accomplished was remarkable,” the head coach explains. “The staff should be a little deeper, stronger and experienced as we hope to develop better overall depth.”

DESIGNATED HITTER

Robbins led the NAIA in batting average and slugging percentage for most of last year. He finished second in average at .479 (56 hits in 117 at bats) while third in slugging (.923). The hitter led the Cavs with three triples and 10 homers to go with 16 doubles and 37 rbi.

Funk (.292, four HR, 19 rbi) is another quality option at DH as well as a good pinch hitter off the bench. Verts may also see time here when not in the outfield.

OUTFIELD

Verts will get the nod in left as he will be expected to continue being a run producer after driving in 45 runs while hitting .413, 18 doubles and nine homers.

Steady Matt Hall will return to right and the team’s leadoff hitter. The senior lined a team-high 72 hits while hitting .379, stole 17 bases and drove in 38 runs.

The outfield will have a good center field battle between junior Mike Lang and sophomore Brad Austin. The Cavs’ best defensive outfielder, Lang started 48 games and hit .303. A utility guy last year, Austin, who batted .269, is solid defensively and has good speed.

Speedy utility freshman Luis Roa will push for playing time with a potent bat that will be hard to keep out of the lineup. Sophomore Billy Fox and freshman Brad Ricker add depth to the position.

FIRST BASE

All-AAC and vocal leader Bigley will start at first base. The veteran batted .424 in 125 at bats with 32 rbi. Funk will be coach Banner’s other option.

SECOND BASE

Junior returner Edwin Narvaez will be the front runner to retain his starting job. After a hot start, he posted a .370 average with 60 hits and 33 rbi.

The versatile Roa and sophomore Seth Radcliff complete the second basemen.

SHORT STOP

For the fourth-year, Laboy will be the stalwart at short stop. The steady and solid infield anchor pounded eight homers and drove in 40 runs with a .356 average.

THIRD BASE
The lone vacant position is the ‘hot corner’ where junior transfer Matt Duffy will be a great addition. The former Emory & Henry player hit .297 with three round-trippers and 24 rbi in 2007 for the Wasps.

Scrappy sophomore Logan Limburg, one of the most improved players from a year ago, and freshman David Atchley will be behind Duffy.

CATCHER

Second-year backstop Alan Stoupa will be stronger and should build upon his first season where he drove in 17 runs and belted a pair of home runs.

Sophomore Adam Skoranski has worked hard and will be the backup.

STARTING PITCHERS

Jones, the anchor of the staff, will try to improve upon his 9-5, 2.81 ERA and 80 strikeout campaign in 80.0 innings of work.

Funk and Robbins are slated as the second and third starters. Funk was 6-2 and fanned 50 batters in 55.1 innings while Robbins (4-3) threw 52.0 frames with a save apiece.

Begley (4-4, 38.1 IP) and two freshmen lefties Scott Cole of Patrick County (Va.) HS and D’Andre Bussey from Va. Beach’s Bayside High complete the staff’s starters.

BULL PEN

Inning eater Brandon Horton returns to anchor the bullpen after missing 2007 with an injury. The junior made 19 appearances in 2006 with 21 strikeouts in 27.1 innings.

Sophomores Seth Frisby (1-0, 8.2 IP) and Preston Landes (0-1, 8.0 IP) return for second seasons in relief. Crafty lefty Preston Smith of Bristol’s Virginia High and side-arm righty Jonathan Painter from Stephens City’s Notre Dame Academy are two more options.

Former starter Verts is set to move into coach Banner’s closer role.