The 2007 South Mountain CC baseball team will feature a 25-man roster that includes 7 returning letterman and 18 newcomers to the program.  The complete roster will have 12 sophomores, 13 freshman, and 6 redshirts.  The Cougars will compete in 38 games against tough ACCAC opponents as well as in 18 non-conference games.  The non-conference schedule includes a four-game road trip in February to play in a Las Vegas tournament.  The 2007 season officially kicks off February 7th with a home doubleheader versus Barton County (KS) Community College.

Pitching

The 2007 Cougars will be built around the depth of the pitching staff.  Although, the Cougars return only two pitchers from 2006 (Andrew Conklin and Jon Flood), pitching is expected to anchor the team. The bullpen has been strengthened by a number of quality arms, as evidenced by twelve pitchers battling for four starting spots in the fall season.  The Cougar staff will feature 10 right-handers, two left-handers, and five “two-way” players.  Along with the experience of Conklin and Flood, the pitching staff features a 2006 Cincinnati Reds draft pick, Cameron Bayne; the 2004 Arizona Baseball Coaches Association Player of the Year, Jordan Whatcott; and former Division 1 quarterback, Nick Thurman.  The coaching staff is looking forward to a big impact from these student-athletes, as well as the rest of the newcomers.  SMCC has finished among the top three teams in pitching in the ACCAC, in each of the last three years.

Defense

Defensively, the Cougars will depend on the versatility of several position players.  Because we have an abundance of “two-way” players, there will be athletes who can bounce around and fill different roles on different days.  Expect newcomers David Jones, Rashad White, Aaron Phillips, and Jeff Mutchler to see time in both the infield and outfield.  Returning defensive players include All-Region infielder, Jayson Brugman, and infielders, Nate Arevalo and Joel Palomarez. The Cougars must play solid defense, as they did in 2004 and 2005, in order to make a run into the 2007 post-season.

Offense

The offensive part of the game looks to be much improved from a year ago.  The Cougars were able to add a mix of speed and athleticism to enhance an inconsistent 2006 offense.  The return of only one offensive starter from 2006 (Brugman) means the coaching staff expects immediate impacts from newcomers Colin O’Neal (2006 JUCO All-American), Jarett Jackson (2006 Cleveland Indians draft pick), and Jason Summers (2006 1st Team All-State in WA).  Outfielders Brock Pettyjohn and Tyler Wilkinson should make significant impacts after impressive fall seasons, leading the Cougars with four home runs each.