2009 Preview

Catchers

The catching position will return last year’s starter, Jake Leonardo (Omaha, NE). Leonardo is a tremendous defensive catcher and has made huge strides this fall offensively. Freshman Drew Simpson (Benton, AR) will serve as Leonardo’s back up. Simpson had a great fall offensively and will primarily be the everyday designated hitter.

First Base

 Sophomore Brian Gomez (Kansas City, KS) will serve as the everyday first baseman. Gomez had a great fall both defensively and offensively and is a proven work horse. Leonardo could also play 1B when not catching. Freshman Trey DeRouen (Abbeville, LA) also plays first base. Freshman Willie Watt (Pittsburgh, KS) will be medically redshirted due to a hamstring injury he suffered in october.

Second Base

 Sophomore Tim Lackovic (Omaha, NE) will see significant time at second base this year. Lackovic is a hardnosed kid and never takes a pitch off. Sophomore Craig Meyer (Owasso, OK) will also see time in the infield this year. Meyer has excellent hands and foot work and can be a threat on the bases. Freshman  Ryan Bontrager (Spring Hill, KS) is a very versatile and athletic player and could see time at a number of positions.

Shortstop

 Sophomore Alan Trayler (Dumas, TX) is a very athletic kid that will serve as the everyday shortstop. Trayler has a huge potential to put up big offensive numbers this spring and will hit in the middle of the lineup. Freshman Mick Ritter (Grand Junction, CO) could also see time at short. Ritter provides a good glove and a competitive nature.

Third Base 

Sophomore Captain David Wade (Overland Park, KS) is no stranger to the hot corner. Wade served as the everyday third baseman last year and will do so again this year. Wade provides and excellent glove and great power potential. Wade will hit in the middle of the order and is expected to have a great year. Skylar Buttermore could also see time (see pitching) as could Ritter, Bontrager, Meyer or Lackovic.

Outfield

Sophomore Captain Patrick Deao (Omaha, NE) is the only returning starter in the outfield. Deao provides great leadership and work ethic. Deao has a great arm and has made huge strides this fall offensively. He will hit at top of the order and is a threat on the bases. Freshman Cameron Bentley (Kansas City, MO) will serve as the everyday center fielder. Bentley is a great defensive outfielder and posses amazing speed. Freshman Ryan Fike (Carbondale, KS) is another freshman who is expected to have a big year. Fike will see the majority of his time in left field. Fike has great speed and the potential to be a threat at the plate. Gomez (see 1B) has also seen time in the outfield. Freshman Jordan Krokroskia (Baxter Springs, KS) will redshirt this year and also plays outfield.

 Starting Pitching

The Panther pitching staff has an often used returner in Taylor Henry (Boulder, CO) who will anchor the staff.   Others that will be contending for innings in the starting role will be Chance Hill (Lee’s Summit, MO), Tim Bury (Overland Park, KS), Michael Crilly (Overland Park, KS), Matt McCann (Omaha, NE), Caleb Gress (Lawrence, KS), and Tyler Burkdoll (Rantoul, KS).  Henry, Kleine, and McCann are all Sophomores and will be counted on to lead a talented group of Freshmen on the mound. The ace of the staff was scheduled to be returner Jake Kleine (Omaha, NE), but he was diagnosed with a torn labrum and will medical redshirt this year.

Bullpen

Of the eight that are mentioned above contending for a starting role, two will be counted on to come out of the pen to pick up long relief innings.  The Panthers’ bullpen is a much stronger unit this year.  Among those in the pen are Rick Carroll (Shawnee Mission, KS), Brandon Compton (Bixby, OK), Branden Jamison (Grand Junction, CO), Klayton Moore (Greenville, TX), Travis Unthank (Lenexa, KS), Skylar Buttermore (Pleasant Hill, MO), J. R. Rehmann (Omaha, NE), and anchored by closers Brady Adamek (Buena Vista, CO) and Mathias Simmons (Kearney, MO).  The bullpen has a nice mix of both Freshmen and Sophomores and must give us quality innings each time out.