2010 Big East Baseball Preview Capsules

NASH CENTRAL

Head Coach: Jeff Mizelle (2nd season)
2009 Record: 7-14, 2-8 NEW 6
Returning starters: 6
Strengths: better defense, six starters back
Weaknesses: young hitters, including three sophomores
Toughest non-conference opponent: Smithfield-Selma
Probable starters:
1B - Mason Wallace, Jr.
2B - Matthew Bowling, Sr.
SS - Jordan Taylor, So.
3B - Tyler Mizelle, Sr.
C - Jeremy Sloop, Jr.
LF - Bennett Williford, Jr.
CF - T.J. Taylor, Sr..
RF - Mike Narron, Sr.
Top pitchers: 1. Trellis Ashley, Jr., 2, Jeremy Sloop, Jr.
Coach's expectations: We have to have a good non-conference to get ready for league play. But it won't be easy playing teams like Smithfield-Selma, Tarboro and Roanoke Rapids.

NORTHERN NASH

Head Coach: Eddie Loesner (3rd season)
2009 Record: 17-9, 9-1 NEW 6
Returning starters: 2
Strengths: use to working hard, use to winning
Weaknesses: lack of varsity experience
Toughest non-conference opponent: C.B. Aycock
Probable starters:
1B - Madison Mayo, Jr.
2B - Drew Smith, So.
SS - Luke Joyner, So.
3B - Jeremy Lucas, Jr.
C - Grant Stallings, Sr.
LF - Fuller Weatherly, Jr.
CF - Mackenzie Mayo, Jr.
RF - Hunter Watson, Fr.
Top pitchers: 1. Brandon Denton, Sr., 2. Jeremy Lucas, Jr.
Coach's expectations: No reason we can't win if we played hard; we must play with focus; we can't worry about the guys we lost, so we have to get it done with the guys we have and play to win.

ROCKY MOUNT

Head Coach: Kent Cox (first season)
2009 Record: 20-3, 9-1 NEW 6
Returning starters: 7
Strengths: pitching and defense, senior leadership
Weaknesses: hitting - losing the school's best-ever RBI man (Ben Fish, 82) and top hit man (Brian Goodwin, 126)
Toughest non-conference opponent: Ardrey Kell, Greenville Rose
Probable starters:
1B - Matthew Berry, Jr.
2B - Michael Whitehead, Sr.
SS - Collins Cuthrell, Sr.
3B - Spencer Bell, Sr.
C - Thomas Berry, Jr.
LF - Jeremy Trevathan, Jr./Matt Williams, Jr./Taylor Clontz, Jr.
CF - Parker Helms, Sr.
RF - Benton Moss, Sr/Hobbs Johnson, Sr..
Top pitchers: 1. Hobbs Johnson, Sr., 2. Benton Moss, Jr.
Coach's expectations: We hope to repeat as conference champions and make the state playoffs. We have a target on our backs. We'll have average speed, so we won't be stealing a ton of bases.

SOUTHERN NASH

Head Coach: Jeff Flowers (9th season)
2009 Record: 8-13, 3-7 NEW 6
Returning starters: 4
Strengths: speed on the bases, No. 1 pitcher
Weaknesses: young, a lot of kids in new spots, four sophomores on the varsity
Toughest non-conference opponent: Beddingfield
Probable starters:
1B - Chris Martin, Jr.
2B - Josh Barnes, Jr.
SS - Luke Mercer, Jr.
3B - Tyler Jenkins, Sr.
C - Daniel Tyson, Jr.
LF - Tevin Boykin, Soph.
CF - Zack Parris, Soph.
RF - J.B. Sherrod, Soph.
Top pitchers: 1. Kyle Shields, Sr., 2. Daniel Tyson, Jr.
Coach's expectations: Going to try to improve throughout the season. We want to be better in May than we were in March. Our young kids will have to learn as they go. It is a rebuilding year.
NOTE: Southern is playing only 20 regular season games and is the only Big East team not playing in an Easter tournament this season.

WILSON FIKE

Head Coach: Will Flowers (29th season)
2009 Record: 14-9, 6-4 NEW 6
Returning starters: 3
Strengths: pitching (three seniors)
Weaknesses: experience
Toughest non-conference opponent: North Johnston
Probable Starters:
1B - Dustin Edwards, Soph.
2B - Matthew Owens, Jr.
SS - William Prince, Sr./Michael McLawhorn, Sr.
3B - Mitchell Wheeler, Sr.
C - Jackson Pardue, Jr./Jordan Crumpler, Fr.
LF - Richard Hinton, Fr.
CF - Daniel Moore, Sr..
RF - Cullen Carter, Sr.
Top pitchers: 1. William Prince, Sr., 2. Mitchell Wheeler, Sr.
Coach's expectations: I expect us to make a run at the conference title and go deep into the playoff. But this is the youngest team I have had in years and we may have to reload a bit.

WILSON HUNT

Head Coach: Jon Smith (3rd season)
2009 Record: 17-6, EEC member
Returning starters: 7
Strengths: six seniors, experience, chance to be real good offensively
Weaknesses: will rely on pitchers to deliver solid performances
Toughest non-conference opponent: C.B. Aycock
Probable Starters:
1B - Ches Lamm, Jr./Deion Doubledeen, Jr.
2B - Cody Britt, Sr.
SS - Zack Lee, Sr.
3B - Zach Houchins, Sr.
C - Kyle Pittman, Sr.
LF - Seth Wiggs, Sr.
CF - Jacob Page, Soph.
RF - Avery Harper, Jr.
Top pitchers: 1. Ches Lamm, Jr., 2. Zack Lee, Sr.
Coach's expectations: We feel like we have good players who want to finish first in the conference.