Artman, who went 5-0 with a 2.69 ERA in 98, spent his summer winning a gold medal and a world championship on USA Baseball s Youth National Team. The third starter in the three-man rotation will be junior Daniel Hersey, who is the most improved pitcher on the staff. Senior Brian O Connell, who played sparsely in relief work last season, will be the Conchs main reliever this season, and the fifth member of the staff is sophomore Billy Grooms, a newcomer to the varsity, who also has greatly improved during the offseason. The outfield will remain stable, with two returning starters. Senior Aaron Marn, a three-year varsity veteran will keep his centerfield spot, and Harrison will move to left field from right, to make up for the departure of Lazaro Chavez.
Right field is still questionable with several players fighting for the opening day spot.
The infield is talented and features many versatile players. Though there isn t a clear-cut favorite for every position, each spot has several capable athletes who can play there. First base can be played by senior Luis Leal, junior Clay Fraga, or the lone freshman on the roster, Mike Heller. Second Base can be handled by juniors Billy Spottswood and Ryan Baker, and sophomore T.J. Niles. Junior John Paul Castro and Niles have both practiced, and done well, at shortstop, and Leal, Spottswood, and Baker have all played third base.