2008 Woodie Awards
Lions baseball looking for redemption
Piedmont's core players are back for a shot at the GSAC title
by Brian Carter
Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: Sports
After a 19-23 season in 2007, the Piedmont Lions look to rebound and win their first Great South Athletic Conference Championship since 2004.
With the coaching staff intact and the core players back from last season, the men have a great chance to capture the GSAC title.
The Lions return seven seniors in Tom Dimitroff, B.J. Hampton, Andy House, Travis Hunt, Evan Nissley, Justin Oates and Cole Spedale.
The Lions have also added new talent, including Sante Fe Community College transfer Andrew Migitz and freshman John Duke of Oconee County High School, who will both make a huge impact in the infield.
Most of the incoming freshman are pitchers and will be getting a lot of time on the mound.
"We are excited about the potential of our freshman pitchers and are looking forward to their continued improvement that we have already seen since the beginning of the fall," says assistant coach Richard Dombrowsky, entering his sixth season on the Lions' coaching staff.
Piedmont will have one of its most rigorous schedules in history, but will find some relief by playing 23 of its 40 games at home on Loudermilk Field.
The men have fared well at home in the past two seasons, amassing a 32-18 record.
However, the Lions will play nine games against NCAA Division-III postseason teams and five games against World Series teams from a year ago.
Nevertheless, Piedmont has the leadership to overcome such adversity.
"This is one of the most experienced teams we have ever had and we will rely on our upperclassmen to set the tone for our young players," says Dombrowsky.
Head baseball coach Jim Peeples is entering his seventh season as Piedmont's skipper, sporting a 136-136 career record, highlighted by one GSAC tournament championship and two regular season GSAC championships.
Assistant coach Justin Scali rounds out the coaching staff, entering his fourth season with the Lions.
The 40-game schedule includes a 14-game home stand for Piedmont and nine GSAC games between Maryville College, LaGrange College and Huntingdon College.
The Lions open their 2008 campaign at home against non-conference opponent Randolph-Macon College on Feb. 7.
With the coaching staff intact and the core players back from last season, the men have a great chance to capture the GSAC title.
The Lions return seven seniors in Tom Dimitroff, B.J. Hampton, Andy House, Travis Hunt, Evan Nissley, Justin Oates and Cole Spedale.
The Lions have also added new talent, including Sante Fe Community College transfer Andrew Migitz and freshman John Duke of Oconee County High School, who will both make a huge impact in the infield.
Most of the incoming freshman are pitchers and will be getting a lot of time on the mound.
"We are excited about the potential of our freshman pitchers and are looking forward to their continued improvement that we have already seen since the beginning of the fall," says assistant coach Richard Dombrowsky, entering his sixth season on the Lions' coaching staff.
Piedmont will have one of its most rigorous schedules in history, but will find some relief by playing 23 of its 40 games at home on Loudermilk Field.
The men have fared well at home in the past two seasons, amassing a 32-18 record.
However, the Lions will play nine games against NCAA Division-III postseason teams and five games against World Series teams from a year ago.
Nevertheless, Piedmont has the leadership to overcome such adversity.
"This is one of the most experienced teams we have ever had and we will rely on our upperclassmen to set the tone for our young players," says Dombrowsky.
Head baseball coach Jim Peeples is entering his seventh season as Piedmont's skipper, sporting a 136-136 career record, highlighted by one GSAC tournament championship and two regular season GSAC championships.
Assistant coach Justin Scali rounds out the coaching staff, entering his fourth season with the Lions.
The 40-game schedule includes a 14-game home stand for Piedmont and nine GSAC games between Maryville College, LaGrange College and Huntingdon College.
The Lions open their 2008 campaign at home against non-conference opponent Randolph-Macon College on Feb. 7.
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