Baseball 2/12/2014 6:23:00 PM

New OCU cast brings promise into 2014

Stars look to return to NAIA World Series

Players to watch for OCU this year include from left, Josh Halbert, Randy Vann, Shane Henderson, Forrrest Smith and Chris Pike.

Oklahoma City University has few returners from last year's baseball squad, but the Stars' new faces bring confidence and optimism to Jim Wade Stadium.
The Stars enter the 2014 season ranked fifth in the NAIA and as the preseason favorite to capture the Sooner Athletic Conference.
Last season, OCU posted a 49-13 record, a third consecutive league regular-season championship and hosted an NAIA Championship Opening-Round Tournament. Eight Stars became professionals, two via the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
In 2013, the Stars led the NAIA in fielding percentage and triples while finishing second in home runs per game, slugging percentage and opponents' batting average. OCU's 1,167 victories since 1991 lead college baseball.
OCU opens the season 4 p.m. Friday against MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) at Jim Wade Stadium. Follow OCU baseball all season live via Stretch Internet. Watching games costs $7.95 each, while season passes are available for $59.95.
"I like our chemistry," said OCU coach Denney Crabaugh, who has a 1,233-379-2 record with the 2005 national title in 25 years. "We have some depth we haven't had in the last couple of years. It remains to be seen how they respond to different competition. We're anxious to see what we really have. I'm confident we're going to have a good year."
Forrest Smith will be an OCU captain eager to lead the Stars to the program's 15th NAIA World Series berth. Smith, a senior from Bakersfield, Calif., mans first base at a gold-glove level. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder hit .296 with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs and became second-team all-SAC as a junior.
"We're looking for him to have a big year in the middle of the lineup," Crabaugh said. "He will need to supply power and drive in runs. He had a good fall and preseason. He's one of our captains. He's taken responsibility. He's probably the hardest worker on our team. He's taken to the leadership role well. He wants to help get us back to Lewiston."
Shane Henderson emerged as a clutch starting pitcher late last season. Henderson, a 6-7, 260-pound senior right-hander from Flower Mound, Texas, went 4-1 with a 1.33 earned run average and 48 strikeouts in 47.1 innings pitched in 2013.
"He's going to be our No. 1 guy in our rotation," Crabaugh said. "He showed last year he's capable of that. He's a big-game pitcher. He's really taken to being called the ace of the staff. He is going to excel in that role."
A more in-depth look into the Stars:

Infield

At catcher, OCU brought in Connor Lynch, a junior from Marietta, Ga. Lynch hit .269 in two years at Georgia Tech.
Crabaugh said of Lynch, "He has got some juice in his bat. He seems to handle pitchers well. He's a gamer."
Mason Toole had a .214 batting average in limited time last season with the Stars, but the junior from Mangum, Okla., brings the most experience in the program among OCU's catchers. Crabaugh on Toole: "He has really worked hard on his defensive skills and hitting. He's probably made more improvement from last year than anyone else. He's turning himself into a quality catcher.
Laszlo Horvath spent last season redshirting with OCU. Horvath, a junior from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, expects to provide right-handed power at catcher, first base or designated hitter. Horvath hit .243 with 32 RBIs with Crowder (Mo.) in 2012.
"He's come in good shape," said Crabaugh. "He probably has the most right-handed power on the team. He's a threat to hit the ball out of the ballpark. He's another guy who can drive in runs."
Josh Halbert projects to be OCU's main third baseman. Halbert, a junior from Choctaw, Okla., had a .237 average and seven RBIs as a sophomore for Wichita State.
"He is our best all-around hitter," Crabaugh said. "He should hit for average with some power."
At second base, Hunter Marcum and Ryan Wright are contenders to secure that role. Marcum, a sophomore from Purcell, Okla., saw limited time at Central Oklahoma last year.
"He's pretty solid all-around and makes contact. He shows up every day trying to get better," Crabaugh said of Marcum.
Wright, a junior from Fruitland, Idaho, hit .262 with 12 RBIs for Treasure Valley (Ore.) last season.
"He is a solid all-around player, nothing fancy," Crabaugh said about Wright. "He has a good head on his shoulders with baseball savvy."
Adam Clark and Garrett Foster could handle the shortstop duties. Clark, a junior from St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, served in a backup role last season with OCU. Crabaugh said, "He's solid. He's working on his defense. Offensively his job will be to move runners and do the little things."
Foster showed a powerful bat while leading Plainview High School (Okla.) to the Class 4A state championship game as a high school senior. Crabaugh said: "He's figuring out what he has to do to improve. He has some juice, but he has to work on his defense."
Matt Burkett, a sophomore from Mustang, Okla., gives the Stars depth at first base, while Brett Dixon, a redshirt freshman from Trinidad, Colo., spent his redshirt season last year with OCU.

Outfield

Among OCU's returning outfielders, Josh Dickey saw the most playing time last season. Dickey, a senior from Bakersfield, Calif., posted a .230 average with four homers and 19 RBIs.
"He provides right-handed power," Crabaugh said. "He should see quality time."
Kyle Lacy comes off a redshirt season in Oklahoma City. Lacy, a sophomore from Edmond, Okla., hit .353 and had a 1.04 ERA as a freshman with the Stars.
"He is our best defensive outfielder overall," Crabaugh said of Lacy. "He is swinging the bat as well as anybody. He is a gamer."
Adonis Askew brings speed to the team. Askew, a junior from Houston, batted .362 with 23 RBIs and 18 stolen bases for Hill (Texas) last year.
"He is fast with a good arm," said Crabaugh. "He could play all three positions, but he would play primarily as a center fielder. He made some adjustments in the fall that will help him in the spring."
Jared Baker figures to play a role for the Stars even as a freshman. Baker, a freshman from Edmond, Okla., led Edmond North (Okla.) to the Class 6A state championship as a junior.
"He has a chance to put together a good career at OCU if he keeps working," Crabaugh said of Baker. "We are expecting him to contribute heavily as a freshman."
Austin Murphy, a junior from Denver, comes to OCU from Yavapai (Ariz.), where he hit .315 with six homers and 41 RBIs.
"He is a big left-handed power bat," Crabaugh said of Murphy. "He is a middle of the lineup-type hitter."
Chris Valdes, a sophomore from Tampa, Fla., owns versatility and could help the Stars in multiple ways.
"He has a good arm and power," Crabaugh said. "He will see time as a reliever. We will have to see how he fits in."
Randy Vann, a senior from Yukon, Okla., is a veteran of the Stars program who provides leadership to the team. "He will see time as a defensive replacement," Crabaugh said.
Spenser Gill, a freshman from Tulsa, Okla., bolsters OCU's depth in the outfield, while Ty Lopez, a freshman from Oklahoma City, is scheduled to redshirt.

Pitching

After Henderson, Chris Pike will be vying to get the start for OCU on the mound. Pike, a senior righty from Southampton, N.Y., owns a 16-9 record, 3.94 ERA and 198 strikeouts in 253.2 innings pitched in three years at Fordham. Pike rates among Fordham's career leaders in innings and strikeouts.
"He is a complete pitcher who throws strikes," Crabaugh said. "He could be one of the top pitchers in the league. He is very knowledgeable."
Michael Nolan is working to be in OCU's rotation. Nolan, a junior left-hander from Yonkers, N.Y., struck out 13 in 13.2 innings for Grayson County (Texas) last season.
"He is a left-handed power pitcher who throws strikes," Crabaugh said. "His ball has movement. He will be really tough. He has the ability to shut down offenses."
Brad Wieck brings heat from the left side. Wieck, a junior from Canyon, Texas, was 5-2 with a 4.63 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 56.1 innings for Cisco (Texas) in 2013.
"He is a left-handed power pitcher who really came on this fall," Crabaugh said. "He has dominating stuff. He should be successful at our level."
Matt Marsh helped Missouri Baptist make the NAIA World Series last season. Marsh, a senior righty from Oceanport, N.J., recorded a 3-4 record, 2.81 ERA and seven saves in 2013.
"He is a right-handed power arm with World Series experience," Crabaugh said of Marsh. "He could be a starter, reliever or closer. He has excelled in all three in his career."
Roby Romero will be another chief reliever for the Stars. Romero, a junior right-hander from Santa Fe, N.M., provided Scottsdale (Ariz.) with six saves, a 2.01 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 31.1 innings last year.
"He has an outstanding breaking ball," Crabaugh said. "He is not afraid to pitch in tough situations. We expect him to shut the door on the backend of games."
Ricky Spain is OCU's most tenured reliever. Spain, a sophomore righty from Norman, Okla., was 1-0 with a 3.20 ERA last year.
"He continues to get better," said Crabaugh. "He will provide quality middle relief. He spots the ball well and changes speeds. He's hard to hit when he's on."
Cale Russell could be used in several roles. Russell, a junior left-hander from Norman, Okla., carried a 3.80 ERA in 21.1 innings with Seminole State (Okla.) in 2012.
"He has quality stuff when he's in the strike zone. He has shutdown stuff," Crabaugh said.
Duncan Reynolds could log several innings as a starter or reliever. Reynolds, a junior lefty from Oklahoma City, transferred from Southern Nazarene.
"He changes speeds effectively, keeps hitters off balance and works the ball inside and out," Crabaugh said. "He has an outstanding changeup."
Left-hander Ken Williams hails from Renton, Wash. Crabaugh on Williams: "He is willing to work hard."

Crabaugh expects pitching to help OCU fulfill its expectations this season.
"That will be the strength of our team," Crabaugh said. "We have some solid hitters. We may not have the overall power we've had. We'll have more guys make contact. It will depend on how quickly everyone gets on the same page and how quickly they'll adapt to the conference. I'm optimistic we can put together a good year."

Print Friendly Version