Baseball Preview: Alabama A&M
SWAC.org
Alabama A&M
2013 RECORD: 8-41 (6-16 SWAC) / 4th East Division
2014 Preseason Predicted Order of Finish: 5th East Division
Head Coach: Mitch Hill (1st Year)
KEY LOSSES:
Deon Hall - OF
Last year, a freshmen-laden team powered Alabama A&M producing more first-year players on the diamond than any other team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. A push during the final stretch at the end of the 2013 regular season, gave the young Bulldogs an opportunity to play in the SWAC Tournament.
Head Coach Mitch Hill was elevated from assistant during the off season to help AAMU's maturation keep pace.
Despite not receiving SWAC Freshman of the Year last season, 2014 All-SWAC Preseason selection, first baseman Austin Husley, returns after being the only freshman in the league named to the All-SWAC First Team at the conclusion of 2014.
Husley finished second on the team with a .313 batting average and led the Bulldogs with 36 RBI. He appeared and started in 48 games recording 27 runs scored, 10 doubles, 57 hits and a home run. He ranked among the top ten in the SWAC in batting average and RBI.
AAMU will also look to Patrick Dodson and Corneilus Woods to help push the program to a competitive state. Dodson led the team and was tied fifth in the conference with a .330 batting average. He collected 30 RBI and team highs in runs (35) and on-base percentage (.419).
Woods capped off AAMU's top hitters last year with a .306 average while hitting three homers.
Caleb Brown and Josh Freeman will anchor the Bulldogs' piching rotation. Freeman collected the most wins (4) and stike outs (45). Brown followed retiring 34 batters giving up 77 hits last year.
The Bulldogs' success this season will be determined on their early display of chemistry established by its sophomores and juniors during the off season.
2014 PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Austin Husley* - 1B
Patrick Dodson - OF
Corneilus Woods - INF
Caleb Brown - P
Josh Freeman - P