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2012 Baseball Schedule Printable PDF
2012 WGTC Golden Knights Baseball
Preview The 2012 version of the West Georgia Technical College Golden Knights will enter a groundbreaking season in its second year of existence. Under the direction of head coach Todd Pratt, WGTC Baseball will be the school’s first sport to enter the NJCAA at the Division 1 level. They will also be the only non–scholarships program to compete at the Division 1 level in the state.
After bringing in 50 potential student-athletes this past fall, Pratt has trimmed the roster to 32. The Golden Knights hope to build upon a very successful first season in which they finished 22-12 overall and 13-3 in conference play. The inaugural club climbed as high as No. 3 in the nation before finishing the year No. 5 within the National Club Baseball Association.
The Golden Knights will play a 56 game schedule which includes teams from Alabama, Tennessee, and Louisiana and will compete in the conference with the likes of perennial powerhouse programs such as Middle Georgia, Georgia Perimeter, and South Georgia.
STARTING PITCHING:
The starting rotation will be led by sophomore Anthony Green and redshirt freshman Ryan Turner. Green, a transfer from Tallahassee C.C. in Tallahassee, Fla., features a 90 mph fastball and a devastating split-change. Turner is a transfer from North Georgia who prepped at nearby Alexander High School. Turner will see action for the first time following Tommy John surgery last year. Chase Patterson, a University of Auburn-Montgomery transfer, will be the No. 3 starter and is expected to slot into the Friday night starts this season. Six-foot-five right-hander Justin Hobby of McEachern High School will round up the rotation.
BULLPEN:
The bullpen will be full of inexperience, but according to Pratt it is stocked with talent and depth. The bullpen will be led by right-handers Will Hammock (Smith County), Josh Hill (East Paulding), and lefty Brad Bartlett (Troup County). Depth will be a strong point, as there will be as many as 12 pitchers available in the pen during home games.
INFIELD:
The infield will be led by third baseman Dusty Davis, a transfer from Andrew College. Davis led Andrew in home runs (11) and RBI’s (38) last year. At first base, freshman Jamie McKnight will share time with returners Adam Thomas, a left-hander, and right-handed Caleb Zalunardo. The middle of the infield will be handled by freshmen Cory Adkins and Weston Perry. Sophomores Ryne Elrod and Edgar Torres look to share time in the middle of the infield as well. Sophomore Eric Bowers and Freshman Rus Morman will anchor the utility slots.
CATCHING:
Two freshmen catchers, Justin Batcher (East Paulding) and Matthew Pope (Walnut Grove), will work behind the plate. Pratt indicated that both are considered “catch-and-throw guys” and are line drive hitters. Both will platoon behind the plate.
OUTFIELD:
Pratt is only carrying four outfielders on the roster. Sophomore Phillip DePriest (Carrollton) will anchor the outfield in center. Christian Prichard (Bremen) will play right field, and sophomore Stephen Fuller (Alexander High School) and freshman Sean Watson (Douglas County) will cover left field. Fuller was last season’s leading hitter and could see some time at the DH spot when not playing in left field.
FINAL ANALYSIS:
Pratt expects the Golden Knights to take their share of lumps as they enter their first year of Division 1 baseball. With a bit of power, pitching, and speed spread around, solid fundamentals could be a big key for West Georgia Tech in 2012. Pratt indicated in the preseason that a .500 record would be an attainable goal for this year’s squad. If the Golden Knights reach that goal, they will enter the conference tournament. Exceeding expectations is something the young Golden Knights baseball program has made a habit of doing.
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