2010 Season Preview

   The 2009 campaign was a battle of injuries and growing pains as the Conqs finished 18-35 and 8th in Jayhawk Conference Western Division.  Dodge City lost a first round playoff matchup with Cowley College in Arkansas City 2 games to none.  Just 6 sophomores return for the 2010 season, but the Conqs return some offensive threats and Head Coach Phil Stephenson feels this team will rebound from last year's disappointing season.  A solid recruiting class of incoming freshman and sophomore transfers should step in and provide not only many new starters, but also depth as well.  With a lot of new faces, the Conqs look to get back on track and continue to pursue new heights in the Jayhawk Conference for 2010.

PITCHING

    The 2010 pitching staff returns only 3 pitchers from a year ago who pitched innings in 2009.   Mike Schnedar (0-0, 2.45 ERA), Kyle Kegley (1-1, 7.62 ERA, 26 K's in 28 IP) and Austin LeCalsey (1-1, 7.80 ERA) all  pitched out of the bullpen last season and will be used in those rolls again in 2010. Two transfers will head up the Conq starting rotation this year.  Redshirt-freshman Nolan Snell (University of New Mexico) and T.J. Millspaugh (Mount Hood J.C.(Oregon)) both looked solid in the fall.  Incoming freshmen Sean Dalton, Chance Hill, Kevin Kimball, Brandon Rome, Tony Spicuglia, Dan Talley, Zane Watkins, Kyle Smyth, and Luke Hampton along with freshman transfer Evan Krist (Nebraska-Omaha) give the Conqs depth and competition for pitching time.  Schnedar is the Conqs returning starting third baseball and Dalton, Hill, Kimball, Talley, and Krist will be vying for playing time as position players as well.

Infield

    The infield returns two starters from last season.  3B Mike Schnedar (.367, 12 2B's 52 RBI's) and 1B/DH Rudy Krist (.310, 5 HR's, 33 RBI's) return and give Dodge City a solid 1-2 punch in the middle of the order.  Schnedar will also see some time at SS this year.  Red-shirt freshman OF Zach Zdanowicz (.486, 2 HR's, 13-13 SB's) missed the majority of 2009 with an injury, will move to 2B in 2010.  Freshmen Sean Dalton, Kevin Kimball, and Evan Krist (Rudy's brother) will push for time at 1B, Kyle Holbrook and Jordan Slaton provide depth in middle along with battling for time at SS and Dan Talley and sophomore transfer Scott Hughes (Frank Phillips College) provide depth at 3B and will pick up 3B duties when Schnedar plays SS.

Outfield

    The Conqs return only one outfield starter from a year ago.  Sophomore Seth Means (.212, 17 runs, 5-5 SB's) leads a solid group of outfielders vying for playing time.  Sophomore transfer Cole Skriver (Clackamas J.C. (Oregon)) looked solid in center field in fall workouts and Freshmen Mitch Corwin, Joe Diz, Eric Graff, Chance Hill, Jon Mills, and Miguel Ortega should all see playing time this spring.  This group provides a mix of speed, power, and versatility in the DCCC outfield and gives Coach Stephenson many options to work with.

Catching

    Red-shirt Sophomore Rick Lesperance (.250, 27 runs, 1 HR, 18 RBI's in 2008) returns as the starting catcher.  Lesperance missed the 2009 season due to an injury, but returns to provide leadership for a young Conq pitching staff.  Rick also threw out 35% of the base runners attempting to steal two seasons ago. Freshman Dan Talley, Matt McDonald, and Eric Graff give the Conqs a solid group of catchers for the future.

Overview  

    The 2010 DCCC baseball team looks to rebound from last year's struggles and get back on track in making some noise in rugged Jayhawk Western Division.  The schedule is solid with an early season trip to New Mexico and Colorado, home and home matchups with Lamar, Air Force Prep, Trinidad College, and Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa and along with the Jayhawk Conference schedule, the Conqs will be challenged from beginning to end.  Coach Stephenson says, "I like the make-up of this team.  Although young, we have a mix of team speed, power, and some live arms on the mound.  We have competition at every position and our sophomores are hungry to make improvements from last year.  We look forward to the challenges ahead and having an exciting 2010 Conqs baseball season."