The 2010 season is right around the corner and the Knights are ready to begin their crusade towards the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.
This years Knights have several new names and faces. For the first time in several years, the Knight's depth may be it's strength.
In the outfield the Knights return 2nd Team All Conference performer, Jeff Sakowski. Jeff will hold down right field while also serving as a go to guy out of the bullpen. Justin Keithley, a transfer from Sam Houston State, will join Sakowski as an everyday outfielder. Keithley will hit at the top of the order, in the leadoff or three hole. Also looking to push for playing time in the outfield will be senior, Anthony Washington, and a pair of junior transfers in Darby Walker and Anthony Lymberopolous. Washington played sparingly in 09 as he was stuck behind RRAC Player of the Year, RJ Harris. Junior Darby Walker will be available in March and will push for time in center and at thirdbase. Walker will also be a key contributor out of the bullpen. Lymberopolous has come on strong of late, as the fastest man on the roster, he is honing in his superb natural ability.
Thirdbase has a lot of depth as four guys have a legitimate chance of logging big innings. The front runner is freshman, Adam Humes. Humes, has moved across the diamond from firstbase and has settled in nicely. Humes got the opportunity to make the move after senior, Second Team All Conference Player, Humberto Miranda has suffered arm problems. Junior Darby Walker will also compete at third when he becomes available in March. Senior, Randy Richter can also slide into third as he logged significant time there in '09.
Shortstop will see a familiar face in senior, Shane Bagley. Bagley has held down the position the previous two years and has continued to improve coming into this spring.
Secondbase will have senior Justin Coats as the mainstay. Coats was unavailable defensively in '09 as he was coming off of shoulder surgery. He served as the teams designated hitter while Humberto Miranda garnered Second Team Honors at second.
At firstbase the Knight's are thankful to have junior, Thomas Huggins, back after a season ending leg injury in 2009. Huggins is a great defender and brings a lot of power to the line-up. In '09 Huggins earned First Team All Conference honors for his play. Freshman, Adam Humes will move across the diamond to spell Huggins at times.
Behind the plate, a trio of Knights will compete for innings. Leading the way is junior transfer, Johnny Aldaz. Aldaz is a very good catch and throw backstop, he will also add power to the middle of the Knight's order. Senior Matt Redding, will likely share time with Aldaz. Redding is a very talented catcher who may also see time as the Designated Hitter when he is not catching. Also fighting for innings is freshman, CJ Gilbert.
The pitching staff is completely revamped with several new faces. Leading the way in the starting rotation will be sophomore, Trent Montgomery, and juniors, Kane Kimrey, Corey Sartor, and Garret Randle. Junior transfer, Frank Abbl is expected to eventually fit into the rotation as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery. Abbl was selected by the Diamondbacks in the 2009 MLB Draft. Expected regulars in the bullpen are Josh Matthews, Tyler Rucker, Darby Walker, Jeff Sakowski, Chase Campbell, George Isabel, Nick Coronado, Sean Ayala, and Brendan Fleming.
The Knights come into the season as the 25th ranked team in the country and open the season January 29th in Victoria, TX as they take on the University of Houston-Victoria. The Knights play in Grand Prairie, at QT Ballpark(home of the Grand Prairie Airhogs) on February 5th as they take on the defending NAIA National Champions, Lubbock Christian University.
