Coming off the first winning season in school history, the 2007 Alderson-Broaddus College Battlers entered last spring determined to build off the momentum generated from the year prior. The program’s efforts were validated with a school record 27-10 season and a return to the WVIAC tournament for the first time in 11 years. A-B narrowly missed earning the school’s first-ever bid to the NCAA-II baseball post-season, finishing 7^th in the North Atlantic Region.

The “Diamond” Battlers ended the 2007 campaign ranked in the top 40 nationally in six separate team statistical categories. Upon season’s end, the club ranked 4^th in NCAA-II in batting average (.368), and 8^th in scoring (8.8 rpg).

Five players received individual honors including returning senior shortstop and 2008 Collegiate Baseball pre-season All-American Paul Day (2007 NCBWA honorable mention All-American), and three-year starter Alan Bauman (2007 WVIAC honorable mention).

Twenty-two newcomers have joined twelve returning lettermen for 2008. The goals for this season are again realistic and attainable. Despite key losses at five positions, and the departure of two frontline starting pitchers, Alderson-Broaddus will seek to reload around four every day players from a year ago. Highlighting a recruiting class that features 13 transfers and nine freshmen, is the addition of seven pitchers with previous college experience.

The pacesetters for the 2008 Battlers also figure to take up all four infield spots on most days. Joining Day and Baumann in the infield will be Owen Otsuka and Zach Marshall. All four players batted .350, or higher in 2007, and Day and Marshall were among the top ten hitters in the WVIAC. Three-year lettermen Andy Isner and Sean Rogers also enjoyed very productive seasons a year ago.

The infield positions will be fortified with the addition of corner players Justin Combs and Justin Knight. Newcomer Kyle Williamson joins Marshall as another player capable of playing every infield position and the outfield.

This year’s team will feature an outfield in transition. Rogers will patrol center field and a combination of left and right handed bats will compete for playing time at each of the corner positions. Versatile first-year Battler, Eric Texeira, is expected to make an immediate contribution. Transfers Dustin Grace, Michael Lieba should also vie for time. Third year player A.J. Nevells, and freshman Nick Canterbury will be options in the Battlers’ outfield rotation as well.

The Battlers are fortunate to be rich in depth and competition behind the plate. Grant Koga returns for his senior year and should provide a middle of the line-up bat. Transfer Ronnie Whitt is a proven backstop who will also help the club at third base and on the mound. Isner’s greatest contribution has been felt as the team’s best hitter off the bench each of the past two seasons. Freshman Erick Robey was among the best high school catchers in West Virginia last year. Most of the at bats at the designated hitter slot will come from this group

Alderson-Broaddus pitching staff will feature a balance of seven right-handers and six southpaws this spring. Every pitcher on the staff has been “Battle Tested” at the collegiate level. Ronnie Glunt, and two-way standout Day should comprise one half of the starting rotation. Left-handers Renato Lopez and Mark Teague, combined to throw over 170 innings at the junior college level a year ago. The addition of James Mason, and anticipated return of Craig Schneider from reconstructive surgery, will allow the Battlers to showcase two arms that have participated in national tournaments at their last schools. Returners Dylan Doukakis, Dan Razzano, Nik Softcheck, and Nevells will compete for innings out of the bullpen. Nick Affinito and Creighton Benner-Perry will be viable options throughout the season as well.

The program will red-shirt seven newcomers in 2008. Freshmen Bryan Carter, Derek McDowell, Frankie Mullens, Jarod Shaw, and Joshua Ware all have bright futures at A-B. Transfers Michael Hemphill and Josh Patton will wear the Navy and Gold one year from now.