Published: March 21, 2008 10:50 pm            

Bluefield State seeks to turn fortunes around

BLUEFIELD — Fifteen games into the season, it appears that corner the Bluefield State baseball team has been trying to turn is getting closer.

“A few years ago, it was tough for us to win any games during a four-game series, but a lot of times last year we won one or two,” said Bluefield State head coach Geoff Hunter, during the team’s media day before the season began. “We beat Charleston three out of four so I think we are about to turn the corner. I feel good about it, I’m looking forward to it.”

Two years ago, the Blues won just six games, followed last year by 14. Bluefield State is already halfway to that mark at 7-8, with its West Virginia Conference Southern Division opener slated for next weekend at Ohio Valley.

It wasn’t that long ago that the Blues — which host Concord in what is designated as a non-league tilt on Monday — were entrenched in last place or close to it in the WVIAC. Even though they haven’t played any of their 16 Southern Division games yet, the Blue are currently third out of five teams in terms of overall record. The top two advance to the playoffs.

“We’re looking forward to it, I realize that we were picked last again in the conference, but the only poll that matters is the one at the end,” Hunter said. “I think we have a good chemistry about us and I think that will win us some close games.

“I’m really looking forward to the season, we’re been sort of trying to reinvent our program the last few years and build ourselves back up where we can be competitive.”

Hunter’s roster of 37 players is deep, talented and eager to get better and win. And there’s only four seniors, meaning the future is bright.

“I think they’ve got a good work ethic and they’ve got a great attitude,” said Hunter, in his 24th season as the Blues’ coach. “They go to class, they work hard and they have fun, I think they enjoy the game.”

Bluefield State is led at the plate by the Redden brothers, Jason and Brandon, who are tied for the team lead with four home runs.

Jason, a senior right fielder, is batting .429 with 11 runs batted in and a team-leading five doubles, 15 runs scored and six stolen bases, while Brandon, a sophomore third baseman, has driven in 14 runs.

That duo leads a large group of returnees that have the Blues sitting near .500 early in the season.

“We basically have everybody back,” said Hunter, whose Blues will host King College in a twinbill on Tuesday. “We had eight kids that walked across the stage and graduated, but we have seven position players that are pretty much back and our one and two (starting pitchers) are back.

“I think we had maybe the best recruiting year we’ve had in a long, long time too. I think we got some kids who are going to be able to come in and help us right away.”

Joining Jason Redden in the outfield has been Matt Burdette (.391, 9 runs, 9 RBI) in center and Garrett Ferrera (.310) in left. They’ll have to produce because Hunter has players eager to get a chance.

“We really have a lot of competition in the outfield and that’s the thing about it,” Hunter said. “The more competition that you have the better you’re going to be as the season progresses because the kids will push each other.

“I think the depth factor is really going to help us because we’ve got some players that will pushing the starters to be the best that they can be.”

Brandon Redden, who went to the Class AA state finals at Shady Spring three years in a row, and shortstop Cory Mann (.321) control the left side of the infield, with Braxton Huffman (.306) at second, and Graham product Colin Elswick (.139) seeing the most time so far at first base.

Freshman Aaron Story (.300) is also a candidate for first, along with senior Adam Fulford. Matt Marshall and Alex Burke have also seen extensive playing time this season.

“I just think the depth thing is so important,” Hunter said. “We’ve been fortunate because we take care of our kids, and we haven’t had a lot of injuries with the pitchers, but it’s just a matter of not having enough depth.

“I think this year we’ve got more depth, we’ve got 37 kids eligible. You assume that you’re going to lose a few, but it just didn’t happen this year. That is a good problem to have.”

Todd Graham, a junior captain, is batting .286, and has also thrown out 10 out of a possible 17 basestealers. That defense is also important to the Blues, whose double play duo of Mann and Huffman have led the WVIAC in double plays two years in a row.

The Blues rarely got outdoors before the season began, spending all their time in their indoor batting facility. Hunter feels offense should be a strength for the Blues, who have averaged 5.1 runs a game.

“That’s all we’ve been able to do since we started on Jan. 10 so I’d like to think the hitting will be ready to go,” said Hunter, on media day. “I think last year we proved we could score some runs and we proved that we can come back and win some ball games.

“We have most of those kids back, plus a few additions so I think offensively we’re going to be OK.”

Leading the Bluefield State pitching staff has been Graham product Michael Alvis (0-2, 4.26 ERA), along with southpaw Marshall (1-2, 10.47).

“They have both had some success in the conference and there’s no reason why they can’t build on that this year,” Hunter said.

Several newcomers are expected to help, including transfers Austin Pratt (2-1, 6.97) and Adam O’Brien.

“I think (Austin) is going to be a very, very good pitcher in this conference, he’s got a lot of tools, he’s got a lot of poise and savvy out there so we’re really counting on him,” Hunter said. “(Adam) is your typical lefthander, he throws from a lot of angles and gets a lot of movement on the ball and we think that he’s going to help us.”

A quartet of freshmen will also help, including Travis Thompson, Ben Klinkhammer, Bo Watson and Mark Crossland, all of whom have seen action in at least three games.

“A lot of the other guys are freshmen, but they’re pretty talented,” Hunter said. “If they work hard — and they seem to be pretty coachable —I think they’ll get better and be able to be able to help us.”

Senior Jay Thomas (1-0, 1.69) is the Bluefield State workhorse, having already pitched in 11 games, accumulating has four saves.

“He’s, arguably, one of the best closers in the conference,” Hunter said. “He led the conference in appearances and closed a lot of games for us and gave us a chance and opportunity to come back in some games.

“I think our pitching depth is better than its been in a long time.”

Bluefield State showed potential last season, pulling a few surprises en route to a 14-win season. Hunter hopes to see a few more of those this year.

“I think we can be competitive I don’t think anybody likes to make predictions, but I think we’re going to show up for all the games and we’re going to surprise some people,” Hunter said. “We did that last year and I hope we’ll surprise a few more this year.”

—Contact Brian Woodson at bwoodson@bdtonline.com

        

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