January 23, 2015

Carson-Newman Baseball: Infielders Preview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the first in a three-part series that analyzes the 2015 Carson-Newman baseball roster. Today's feature focuses on the infield with senior shortstop Bryan Everhart (Greeneville, Tenn.).

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the second in a three-part series that analyzes the 2015 Carson-Newman baseball roster. Today's feature focuses on the infield with senior shortstop Bryan Everhart (Greeneville, Tenn.).

The starting group is the most experienced on the squad with three seniors and a junior that have their eyes set on a winning season.

"First, make the conference tournament," Everhart said. "We feel that we have to do that. With the guys we have returning, we expect big things from us this year. I think everyone in this lineup, one-through-nine especially in the infield have good power. I think our infield will be one of our strengths."

At first base, senior Evan Jurjevic (New Carlisle, Ind.) will have a chance to be the full-time starter after splitting time a season ago. Among qualifying hitters, the six-foot-three 205-pounder finished second on the team with a .291 batting average and doubles with 11. He had seven multi-hit games and five multi-RBI contests. His .427 slugging percentage was third on the roster and his .341 on-base percentage was fourth.

Second team All-South Atlantic Conference selection Bo Ausmus (Jefferson City, Tenn.) makes the move from outfield back to second base to replace graduating second basemen Peter Rajkovich and Trace Rogers. Ausmus hit .360 a season ago while leading the Eagles in virtually every offensive category including eight home runs, 32 RBI and 15 doubles. The senior had separate hitting streaks of eight, 11 and 12 games. Ausmus tallied 17 multi-hit games and eight multi-RBI outings.

Everhart was the only player to start all 46 games for Carson-Newman a year ago as he hit .273 with four home runs and 31 RBI. He finished second on the team in RBI and runs scored with 29 while hit 42 hits were third on the roster. Everhart stepped his game up with men on base as he led the team with runners on base (.348) and with runners in scoring position (.386).

Rounding out the starting core is junior Brandon Roberts (Davie, Fla.). The third basemen made 40 starts with a .262 batting average while leading the team with five stolen bases. Roberts was third on the roster with 10 doubles and 15 walks. He notched nine multi-hit games including a 3-for-4 day against nationally ranked Georgia College on March 30.

Jurjevic committed seven errors in in 254 chances for a .972 fielding percentage. Ausmus was a Gold Glove winner in the outfield last season while Everhart and Roberts 21 errors in 348 total chances a season ago. Defense expects to be a strong suit for Carson-Newman.

"We took a lot more pride this year in ground balls," Everhart said. "I know last year we had a really good fielding percentage and we had a solid infield all-around which we pretty much return that infield. We have a lot of confidence going into this season with the infield that we have. We feel like we've put in enough work and reps."

With upperclassmen at all spots, it will be those four players' jobs to usher in the young cast of Eagles.

"Any sport you look at, you have to have leadership," Everhart said. "Older guys provide that leadership because they have been through the program and they know how the little things work. We catch the younger guys up to speed than what coach can do on a day off."

Returning from a broken ankle a season ago will be Eric Lynch (Boonton, N.J.) who tallied three hits in the lone game he played last year. Sophomore Joey Selitto (Newton, N.J.) expects to be a utility player as a defensive substitute or pinch-runner.

Freshman first basemen Joe Rotelli (Morganville, N.J.) will try to parlay his high school career to success at the college level. Rotelli led St. John Vianney High School to a state title by going 10-for-18 (.556) with a home run, five doubles and nine RBI in the state tournament. Overall, Rotelli hit .471 with six roundtrippers, 14 doubles and 33 RBI in his senior campaign.

Rounding out the group of options in the infield is freshman Austin Kearney (Powell, Tenn.). At Knoxville Catholic High School, Kearney was named the District 4-AA Most Valuable Player.

The position previews conclude Tuesday with a look at the infield with senior outfielder Cody Fox (Seymour, Tenn.).

- CN -