January 30, 2011
WESSON - After three consecutive losing seasons, the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wolfpack look for improvement in 2012 with a mix of veterans and a talented freshmen class. The Wolfpack open the 2012 campaign on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 1 p.m. against the East Mississippi Lions in Scooba.
Lack of pitching depth last season left Co-Lin with an overall record of 20-25 and a South Division record of 8-16.The keys to the success in 2012 will be how quickly the freshmen adjust to college play and finding the right team chemistry.
The pitching staff will be made up of a mix of veterans and incoming freshmen. Five of the starting eight position players will be new faces.
“The key to our success is the pitching staff,” said Head Coach Keith Case. “If we pitch and play defense we will have a chance in the South Division.”
Lost to graduation are catcher Kolby Byrd (13th round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals), shortstop Edmund Cheatham (Mississippi Valley State), third baseman Bud Britt (Belhaven University), right hand pitcher Brandon Jones (William Carey University), and first baseman Conner Oakes (NJCAA Pinnacle Award for Academic Achievement).
Impact transfer players include shortstop Noel Santos (Alabama A&M), catcher Stephen Joe (Hinds Community College), and infielder Gabe Wilson (Meridian Community College. Freshmen impact players include infielder Matt Smith (Wesson High School), right hand pitchers Korey Allen and Tyler Case, both of Loyd Star.
Returning players include infielder Willie Buckley (.299), infielder/outfielder Bryce Guess (.269), outfielders Zac Ferguson (.280) and Jarvis Wilbert (.474).
Veteran pitchers include right hand pitchers Tripp Jolly (9.0 ERA, 2-3), Tyler Copeland (4.42 ERA, 3-2), Raymond Winter (3.42 ERA, 4-3), and Cody Wall (4.50 ERA, 2-0).
New faces on the pitching staff include Chandler Ramsey of Madison, Ryan Goddard and Javon Washington, both of Natchez.
A talented group of freshmen that will be vying for positions this season includes infielders Corey Pouncey of Alexander City, Ala.; Mitch Little of Georgetown, and Will Gatlin of Bogue Chitto.
Outfielders include Garrett McBeth of Brandon and Nolan Long of Ackerman.
Year after year, the South Division remains competitive. The 2012 will be no different with Jones County (2011 NJCAA National Runner-Up), Hinds (2010 MACJC State Champion), East Central (2007 MACJC State Champion), and Pearl River with a talented group of position players that play defense and swing with some power.
Keith Case enters his 20th season as the field general of the Wolfpack baseball team and his fourth year as assistant athletic director. He is also an instructor in the mathematics division. Bryan Nobile begins his eighth year as assistant baseball coach after spending 2007-2008 as the head coach of his alma mater, Mississippi Delta Community College. Nobile also serves as the college’s Assistant Dean of Students. Marty Dewees begins his first year as an assistant coach with the Wolfpack. Dewees is a graduate of San Jacinto Junior College, where he was the catcher for the NJCAA National Runners-Up his freshman and sophomore years. He was selected to the All-Conference, All-Region, and NJCAA World Series All-Tournament Teams.
