Jefferson State Baseball Preview - 2010
Jefferson State
1/21/2010

The 2010 version of the Jefferson State baseball team will turn to some fresh new faces coming off two consecutive 38 win seasons. Only two everyday starters are returning for the Pioneers. Cody Coffman returns after hitting .323 with 18 doubles and 6 homeruns. Coffman could play just about anywhere on the field in 2010. Outfielder Jon Ford returns to the lineup after hitting .282 with 7 doubles. Sophomores Corey Kimbrel and Taylor Tressillian are expected to have break out years after having limited at bats as freshmen in 2009.

Coffman and two freshmen, Ben Bechtol and Chase Young, are battling to for playing time behind the dish for the Pioneers. Each player brings a different type of dimension to the line up.

First base could see a number of players at the position this spring. Sophomores Coffman and Tressillian are joined by freshmen Kody King and Bret Draper. Draper being the only right hand swinging option while the other three swing from the left side.

Second base is a three way battle among Freshmen. Dylan Wheeler, Joey Pollet and Zac Hilliard could all see playing time there.

Shortstop will be either Freshman Matt Ellis or Coffman. Ellis is a slick fielding shortstop while Coffman is the more offensive of the two. Pollet could also see some time on the left side of second base.

Freshmen Matt Fisher and Nathan Dumont will also be joined by Coffman at the hot corner. Both Fisher and Dumont will see time on the mound for the Pioneers so more than one player will fill this position.

Ford looks locked into a corner outfield position this spring. Kimbrel will battle Freshmen Blake Woo and Carson Amick for the Centerfield job. Amick, Woo, Coffman, King and Freshman Jordan Green could all see time in the corner opposite of Ford.

On the mound the Pioneers will lean on afew sophomores to lead the way. Two transfers, Tyler Colvert and Danny Brown will be key members of the staff. The top returner member of the pitching staff is Tyler Pogue who went 3-1 last year and while moving into the conference rotation towards the end of the year.

Joing the three sophomores on the mound are hard throwing right handed Freshmen Dylan Shelby, Patrick DeVault, Todd Schiehl, and Fisher. Woo, Kingand Freshman Brad Blount are the two lefties on the staff. Submarine Sophomore Ryan Woods and Freshmen Dumont, Draper and Jake Barnett round out the staff.

While this version of the Pioneers is very young, the talent level is high. Like every year, the Pioneers have their sites set on being at the party in Ozark in the middle of May and competing for an ACCC championship.