2014 Shorter Hawks Schedule

By Jim O'Hara
 
ROME, Ga. – As has been the case in past seasons, the team is well-armed. This time around, however, the Shorter Hawks have the weapons to provide a lot more firepower.

That potent combination is what the Hawks bring to the diamond in 2014 when they head to warmer climates in Miami Shores, Fla., to open the season for a three-game series Saturday and Sunday against NCAA Division II Sunshine State Conference foe Barry.

"We feel that this year, compared to last season," said Shorter head coach Matt Larry, who enters his 10^th season at the helm of the Hawks, "we are adding a little more power in our lineup.  

"As with most years, our pitching has been our strong point, which I believe will hold true again," he said. "But now we will be able to help our staff with more run production from last season."

Forming a revived offense both Larry and the Hawks are excited about is a mixture returning players with a group of seasoned transfers that has the potential to ignite at any time.

Back to sit behind the plate are two veteran catchers – sophomore Walker Borneman of Cataula, who as a true freshman last year batted .283 and was second on the team in runs scored (19) and runs batted in (22.), and senior Jacob Forrest of Columbus.

In front of them, five more position players are back for the Hawks.

Junior Darrius Jennings of Stockbridge returns to handle the duties at second base, where he posted a solid .959 fielding percentage a year ago; senior Will Harrison of McDonough is ready to handle first base after battling injuries last year; seniors Dustin Evans of Semms, Ala., and Chad Ikerd of Lawrenceville will hold down the hot corner at third base, with Ikerd also seeing time in the outfield; and senior Charlie Gillis of Pearson will line up again to roam the outfield.

Ready to bring their talents to the Hawks' lineup are four junior transfers that have already proven themselves.

In the outfield, Shorter will be counting on newcomers Ian Redetzky, a 6-foot-4 standout who played at Lackawanna (Pa.) College where he helped that team reach the NJCAA Division II World Series and bat in the No. 3 or 4 spot in the Hawks' batting order, and Dylan Riner, a transfer from Austin Peay where he hit .307 and had a .408 on-base average and will serve as the Hawks' lead-off batter.

At shortstop, Zach Santos will put his defensive skills on display as well as a potent bat as he did last year when batted .336 at Hillsborough (Fla.) Community College, while Bryan Mathews, who posted a strong .360 batting average last year at Florida State College, will see action at first base as well as stepping into a closer's role for the Hawks on the mound when needed.

"We had (13) one- and two-run losses last season and our pitching staff held opponents to under five runs most of the season," said Larry. "We just did not have the offensive depth in the lineup to score that extra run or two.  

"This season our first six hitters will be able to produce those runs needed to compliment a very strong pitching staff."

The Hawks' mound corps includes a pair of Shorter juniors who saw action last year, junior reliever Brodie Orr of Cumming and southpaw starter Russ Crosby of Loganville, and a staff of junior right-handed transfers who are out to make an immediate impact.

Toeing the rubber for the first time as Hawks will be Colton Cross of Ringgold, who played at Kennesaw State last year where he had a 3.53 ERA and notched a win over Auburn; Christian Champion of Mariette, who pitched at nearby Berry College and pitched in 19 games last year; Travis McPherson and Justin Machado, teammates at South Florida State College who will stay together at Shorter.

True freshman Zachary Whitaker, a righty who was a standout at Land O' Lakes (Fla.) High School, could also enter in the Hawks' pitching scheme.

"With some of our key returners back and the added help from some 10 transfers," said Larry, "we feel we have an opportunity to be extremely successful."

After their season-opening road trip to Florida this weekend, the Hawks return to Rome for their home opener at the Robert H. Ledbetter baseball Complex on Wednesday when Shorter hosts South Atlantic Conference member Carson-Newman, and next weekend entertains Young Harris for a three-game set.

Following a road trip to take on Georgia Southwestern on Feb. 12, the Hawks jump into their Gulf South Conference schedule visiting Valdosta State on Feb. 15-16.