Sophomore Joe Staley will see plenty of time behind the plate in 2009.
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
The Lumberjacks will have plenty of depth behind the plate in 2009.
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The ‘Jacks will enter the season with plenty of depth behind the plate with veteran Ryan Sinclair and newcomer Joe Staley battling it out for the majority of the starts.
Returning: Ryan Sinclair, Alex Moshier
Newcomers: Joe Staley, Jarid Scarafiotti
Sinclair sat out the 2008 season due to injury, but brings a strong arm and defensive presence in addition to a familiarity with the pitching staff back to the field this year. He got into 37 games in 2006-07, making 23 starts for the ‘Jacks and hitting .244 as a freshman in 2006. In 2007 he directed SFA starters to five wins in his 10 starts with a 4.00 ERA.
Staley was originally drafted by Tampa Bay out of high school, but decided to forego that opportunity to head to the college ranks. The sophomore spent last season at Grayson County Community College and will immediately have one of the most powerful bats in the conference when he steps on the field in 2009, possessing power from both sides of the plate.
“It’s really not a battle for the top spot between those two guys,” Cardenas said. “We look at it as having two quality catchers that can play, and play well, and that we have a really good situation no matter who is behind the plate.”
Sophomore Alex Moshier and Jarid Scarafiotti will also provide some added depth behind the plate with Moshier having earned five starts behind the plate as a freshman; however, Moshier will likely see the majority of his appearances on the mound in 2009 after posting a 5.11 ERA in 11 appearances last year.
The Lumberjacks open up the 2009 season on Feb. 21 against Mississippi Valley State at the ULM Warhawk Classic in Monroe, La. before opening up the home part of the season on Feb. 24 against Houston at the newly-renovated Jaycees Field.
