Baseball Season Outlook
(2011-2012)

The 2012 Cougar Baseball team is looking to pick up where they left off at the end of the 2011 season. The Cougars finished 2nd in the nation losing in the national championship game to Toccoa Falls College 3-0.

The Cougars landed #2 in the NCCAA DII Preseason Coaches Poll and have high hopes for the upcoming year.

The Cougars are coached by first year head coach, Josh Rebandt, along with assistants Jack Taylor and Joe Keen who are in their first year coaching the Cougars as well.

The Cougars are returning two All Americans, OF David Edwards (Northside Christian HS) and RHP Brent Kirkley (Temple Christian School). Kirkley is in his senior season and will again be expected to lead the pitching staff this year after being named the National Pitcher of the Year as a junior. Edwards, a sophomore, stabilized the lead off spot for the Cougars during his freshman campaign and covered a lot of ground in the outfield.

Other key familiar faces include Zack Weber (J.W. Mitchell HS) and Ethan Barba (Calvary Christian Academy), both who are seniors and captains. Weber has settled into first base during his career at CCC and his bat has been a great addition to the line up each year. Barba returns as an outfielder for the Cougars, and is expected to help lead the team on and off the field. Both of these guys are highly respected by their teammates and have done a great job leading the team since they got on campus in August.

The Cougars have added some arms which has resulted in what looks to be nearly a brand new starting rotation from last year. Will Kirby (RHP Freshman, Sickles HS) and Kyle Leja (LHP Junior, Central Florida CC) will be new additions to the weekend rotation. Leja, a transfer from CFCC, appeared in 27 games for the Patriots last spring. Noel Thomas (LHP Sophomore, LaGrange College/Northeast HS) is slated to be the mid week starter for the Cougars. The Cougars return some key arms to their bullpen including Junior Josh Williams and Sophomore Kyle Baitz. Freshman Mark Ferrell (Colonial Hills Christian) adds another arm to the Cougars bullpen and Sophomore Luke Brigham (Central Florida Christian) will again join the team after basketball season and will be a good addition to a solid bullpen.

Behind the plate, the Cougars will be looking to Eddie Fuentes (St. Thomas University) and Nate Krouse (Bloomingdale HS). Krouse also plays third base.

Up the middle the Cougars have a lot of depth including returning SS Chaz Russo (West Broward HS) and 2B Chris Caudillo (Coppin State University/Lake Worth HS), along with transfer Andrew Alderman (Florida Christian College) and UTL/P player Manny Chmielewski (Clearwater HS). Barrette Lindsay (Brewton Parker College) is also competing for time up the middle.

The corner infield includes DH/1B Joel Felten (Bible Baptist Christian), 3B Jon Rivera (Alonso HS), along with Weber and Krouse.

In the outfield, the Cougars return Jefte Velez (Providence Christian) along with Edwards and Barba. New faces in the outfield include Henry Turner (University Christian) and David Dumas (Locust Grove HS).

Coach Rebandt said, "We have a great group of returners with some outstanding leaders. These guys have been around the program and they want to be successful. We have a lot of new faces but it has been fun to watch the returners take them in and help them out. Our team motto this year is "Audience of One" which is in place to remind the guys that we aren't playing for anyone except for Christ and all glory goes to Him, because He is the one who has given these guys the talents they have, and baseball is a tool we have been given to help spread the Gospel."

Cougar Spotlight

Playing baseball in Clearwater, Florida is a unique experience few people get to enjoy. Our coach constantly reminds us that God has given each player a wonderful opportunity, and we cannot view it flippantly. Since coming to CCC, God has blessed me with academic opportunities and advantages, spiritually encouraging friends and faculty, and the ability to play baseball nearly every day. more...

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Baseball Season Outlook(2011-2012)

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Baseball Season Outlook
(2011-2012)