Jan. 10, 2008
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Despite losing seven starting position players, one of the top pitchers and the closer, the Argonauts are ready to re-load, not rebuild. The West Florida baseball team won their first GSC title in Coach Mike Jeffcoat's second season as the Head Coach. Last season was full of accomplishments. Jeffcoat was named the GSC coach of the year, and led his team to a UWF record 43 wins, and a first ever appearance in the NCAA tournament. The sensational season's shining moment was winning the schools first Gulf South Conference Baseball Title. However for a 2008 encore, the team will have to replace "All-Regional" pitching stars Brett McCullough and Phil Lawhorn.
Starting Pitcher Jon Sintes is one of the top returners, coming off a 10-4 season with an outstanding 2.81 Earned Run Average. Outfielder Jon Reed, who hit .305, also returns, while the teams top two .300 hitters both graduated. Gone is Bo Williams (.368) and Peter Antoske (.352). Williams was the top home run hitter and Antoske led the team in stolen bases. Therefore, some of last year's underclassmen will have to step up, along with some talented young newcomers.
The Argonauts schedule is set, and they will open at home on February 2nd against Rollins College. Head coach Mike Jefffcoat discussed the upcoming schedule. "As usual we will have some tough series in February and March, highlighted by going on the road the 2nd weekend in February to (#3) Florida Southern, and then to (#11) Delta St. during the second weekend of March. Our home series against Rollins College, Quincy Univ., (#21) North Georgia, and (#2) Columbus St. are also challenging, to go along with our always demanding East Division conference schedule."
Despite losing two outstanding pitchers, Jeffcoat still thinks the pitching will be the backbone of the team. "The pitching staff should be the strength of this club with Jon Sintes (Jr / Fort Walton Beach, Fla.) the top starter back from last year, and 2005 GSC Freshman of the year Kyle Ramsey (Jr / Kissimmee, Fla.) back from Tommy John surgery, and returning senior relievers David Pedro (Miami, Fla.) and Nick Presley (Milton, Fla.), to go along with newcomers; Billy Whitaker (Jr / Orlando, Fla.), Todd Stannard (Jr / Tallahassee, Fla.), Harrison Szuch (Jr / Pensacola, Fla.), Matt Collins (Fr / Deland, Fla.), Shane Greene (Fr / Orlando, Fla.), Curtis Teare (Fr / Pensacola, Fla.), and closer Sixto Velasco (Fr / Orlando, Fla.)"
Position players will be the new face of the team with only three returnees with more than 55 at bats last year, anchored by outfielders Jon Reed (Sr / Chesterfield, Va.) and Kyle Andrews (So / Fort Walton Beach, Fla.), along with second baseman Kyle Brown (So / Gulf Breeze, Fla.). Coach Mike Jeffcoat has some high expectations from transfers Kevin Mierzwinski (OF/DH, Orlando, Fla.), Craig Westcott (1B/RHP, Chalmette, La.), Scott Beckwith (3B, Seminole, Fla.), Steven Bingert (2B/3B, Pensacola, Fla.) and Freshman Brandon Brewer (Apopka High School), who won the starting job at shortstop. It looks like freshmen Greg Pron (Daphne High School) and Eric Kroll (Pace High School) will be competing for the starting job in right field, and freshmanTyler Hastings (Niceville, Fla.) will be the starting catcher on opening day.
Head Coach Mike Jeffcoat is optimistic, despite losing several outstanding athletes. "This year's team has the talent to compete for another championship, if we can get the young guys to mature quickly enough." The Argonauts are one of five Gulf South Conference teams to be ranked in the pre-season top 40. Delta State, whom the Argonauts defeated in the NCAA regionals last season, is ranked 11th, while Ouachita Baptist is ranked 12th. Both Delta State and Ouachita Baptist play in the West Division of the GSC, while Montevallo, ranked 16th, and the Argonauts are the two top ranked teams from the East Division.
