No. 2 Bobcats ready for 2012 season

By Shawn Wansley

JCJC Sports Information Director

ELLISVILLE – What can they do for an encore?

That’s the question facing the 2012 Jones County Junior College Bobcats as they prepare for the Feb. 11 home opener against Mississippi Delta Community College.

The Bobcats finished second in the NJCAA Division II World Series in Enid, Okla., won the Region 23 Tournament for the first time in school history, captured the MACJC Tournament title for the first time since 2002 and claimed their second straight MACJC South Division title.

They also finished with a 46-17 record – the third straight year for the Bobcats to break the school mark for wins in a single season.

Fourth-year head coach Christian Ostrander knows his team has a formidable task into the upcoming season.

“The success we had last year where we got to participate in the World Series was great for the program,” Ostrander said. “We had immediate benefits with that and, hopefully, we will have some long-term benefits, as well.

“We feel good about things. We feel good about where the program is right now. We know how hard it is to get there (the World Series) and how fortunate you have to be, but we’ve been there once and we just hope we can give ourselves the opportunity to make it back.”

The Bobcats, ranked No. 2 in this year’s NJCAA preseason poll, return several key components from last year’s squad, including starting righthanded pitchers Vito Perna and Logan Riddell, second baseman Zach Allen, outfielder Chad Guice and catcher Jay Dedeaux. Perna also was a standout hitter for JCJC.

Ostrander said those players, as well as other returnees, still have that glow from last year.

“The players that are here that were on that team last year have a lot of pride,” he said. “I can tell that. It’s fresh in their minds because they know what we had last year. It was something special.

“They knew why we got there – it was not so much talent as it was guys playing well together, believing in each other and doing things right. I’ve seen the carryover into this fall.

“We have good leadership out there. Guys are being good examples and role models for the new players. But this is a different team and it’s not the 2011 team. Every team is different, but I like the pulse of this group. They have a lot of similar characteristics to last year’s team and that’s exciting to see.”

Ostrander, who handles the pitchers, is being assisted this year by third-year coach Chris Kirtland, who works with the outfielders, and first-year coach Eric Patten, who works with the infielders.

Last year, the Bobcats boasted one of the nation’s best team earned run averages (3.16). Perna and Riddell, who have both already signed with Southeastern Louisiana, provide an anchor point for this year’s staff. Perna is from West Jones, while Riddell is from Brother Martin High School in Kenner, La.

“Vito and Logan were both All-State last year and that’s a good starting point for us,” Ostrander said. “They probably threw 180 innings between them and accounted for 21 wins. That’s exciting. They have been through it, done it and know what it takes. “We are counting on them. We are not counting on them to throw a shutout every time out or win every game, but we are counting on them to give us a chance.”

In 2011, Perna was 11-1 with a 2.20 ERA. He pitched 86 innings, struck out 75 and allowed just 65 hits. Riddell was 10-4 with a 3.12 ERA. He tossed 95 1/3 innings, gave up 97 hits and fanned 74.

Behind those two, the Bobcats are looking at two more righthanders – Ryan Milton, a redshirt freshman transfer from Southeastern Louisiana, and Cameron Rose, a returning sophomore from Oxford. Rose pitched quite well against eventual champion Western Oklahoma State College in the World Series.

“If we were starting today, those would be the two guys we might give those other starting spots to at this point,” Ostrander said. “But we’ve got some other guys breathing down their necks.”

Among those players are Perry Central righthander Cody Brewer, who transferred in at the Christmas break from Meridian Community College, and lefthander Chase Stewart, a returning sophomore from West Jones.

“Cody has done well and Chase did a nice job in some games for us last year,” Ostrander said. “They both have the capability to do well for us.”

Other players with a chance to start include Nicholls State University transfer Dylan Delaune and South Jones sophomore Tyler Fall, both sophomore righthanders.

“Tyler started a game in the World Series for us and did well,” Ostrander said. “Dylan pitched roughly 40 innings for Nicholls State last year. So, we feel good about those options we have as starters.”

Leading the way out of the bullpen will be Jeremy Kidd, a freshman righthander from Enterprise.

“He is a submarine, sidearm guy that goes in and throws strikes, throws strikes and throws strikes,” Ostrander said. “If you have a submarine guy that can do that, you’ve got a chance.”

Rounding out the staff will be Oak Grove freshman righthander Jon Mark Herrington, Sumrall freshman righthander Tyler Simmons, Northeast Jones freshman lefthander Brady McBride and Wayne County freshman Stanley Farrar. Zac Fowler, a freshman righthander from Spanish Fort, Ala., could see some time on the hill, but is working mostly at first base.

“Herrington, Simmons and McBride have come in as freshmen and have thrown the ball really well,” Ostrander said. “They have a chance to get some reps, especially as bullpen guys. Zac has thrown a bit for us. Farrar has been nursing a bit of an arm issue. We will see where he fits in soon.”

Overall, Ostrander is optimistic about his hurlers.

“We really like our pitching staff,” he said. “I’m not going to put numbers on it. But I feel like we have some options and we have some guys that will go out there and compete at this level and give us a chance to win.

“It’s up to them. How it all ends up is up to them and how they handle the opportunities they receive. And hopefully, we will stay healthy and everything will run smoothly.”

In the outfield, the Bobcats have seven players in the mix for the three spots, led by returning sophomore Chad Guice. Guice is from Sumrall and started all 63 games last year, posting a .305 batting average.

Two other players with some experience include Ridgeland sophomore Jarrett Jenkins and West Jones sophomore Zane Walley.

“Chad was an every day starter for us last year and did well,” Ostrander said. “Zane and Jarrett are also returnees.”

There are four newcomers seeking playing time in the outfield – Sumrall freshman Dylan Anglin, Taylorsville freshman Fernando Hamilton, Tupelo Christian freshman Jager Livingston and Richton sophomore Tilur Smith. Smith is a transfer from the University of South Alabama.

“I could not even speculate right now as to who will be starting,” Ostrander said. “There is a lot to be won out there at this point. Fernando, for example, is a fine athlete and a solid player, but he was not with us in the fall. So, this spring is the first time for us to see him and how he will fit into the mix. We’ve also seen guys make big strides from October until now.

“But I feel very confident we are going to have a solid outfield that will be able to go out there and catch the balls they are supposed to catch and catch some they probably should not. Coach Kirtland does a great job with those guys and gets them prepared. We’ve got good competition out there and I’m anxious to see how it shakes out.”

The Bobcats have a battle going on behind the plate between Dedeaux, a Picayune sophomore; David Walley, a redshirt freshman from Richton; and Cody Minter, a freshman from Perry Central. Dedeaux drew eight starts last year.

“I really see right now where Dedeaux and Walley will split some time and get a lot of the reps,” Ostrander said. “Out of those two, it’s a matter of which one goes and gets it. Both guys are working hard and doing things right. I know they will give us everything they have back there.

“We have also been looking at Cody in some other spots, too.  We really like Cody’s bat.”

Last year, Perna was a designated hitter or at first base when not pitching. This year, the Bobcats are looking at him as a third baseman. Perna hit .344 with a team-leading seven home runs and 56 RBIs last year.

Lewisburg High School freshman Max Wade and South Panola High School freshman Lee Self are also at third base.

“Vito has been working at third a lot, along with Max and Lee,” said Ostrander. “Those are the guys getting the reps and it’s been very competitive. We know Vito’s bat is going to be in the lineup. Last year, it was more in the DH capacity, but we look for him to be more of a position player this year, in addition to pitching.  Max and Lee are doing well over there, too, and provide us with depth and flexibility.”

At shortstop, Ostrander said it’s been an excellent battle between returning Ridgeland sophomore Tate Ratcliff and South Jones freshman Benji Sullivan.

“That’s been a fun thing to watch,” Ostrander said. “If you could take both of them and put them into one player, it would be ideal. But it does not work that way. Tate is a guy that is very calm and confident out there. He did a great job as a backup last year. He has all the confidence that he can make the routine plays.

“Benji is the same way. I guess you could say Benji has a bit more flash. He has a good glove and a good arm. But whenever you are a freshman, you’ve got some learning to do and adjustments to make. It’s a little bit different up here.”

Allen was the tablesetter as the starting second baseman last year.

The Pascagoula sophomore led the team with a .366 batting average. He also had 15 steals and 30 RBIs. South Jones sophomore Jon Glaze is also back at second base.

“Zach was our leadoff hitter last year and did a great job,” Ostrander said. “He led our team in hitting. I would say it’s his position to lose. Jon will be there to push him and be a backup if needed. We’ve also looked at Jon in some other positions to see if he can give us a little flexibility. But those two guys are hard workers and good leaders for us.”

At first base, the Bobcats are looking at Fowler and McBride. Perna could also see time there, if needed.

“Fowler and McBride have been working over there predominantly,” said Ostrander. “Zac, at this point, may have some leverage over there, but that could change. We also have Vito who played first some for us last year, so we know he could go over there if we needed him to do so.”

It’s a roster filled with potential, but JCJC also lost some quality talent from 2011. NJCAA All-American pitcher Andrew Pierce is at Southern Miss, catcher Ryan Roberts signed with Arkansas State University, first baseman Nick Ray is at Campbell University in North Carolina, shortstop Graham Odom is at South Alabama and centerfielder Ladd Rhodes is at Southeastern Louisiana. Rightfielder Darion Hamilton signed with William Carey University, pitcher Blake McIlwain inked with Mississippi College. Pitchers Ryan Waters and Josh Palmer, along with infielder Jay Bell, signed with LSU-Alexandria, while third baseman Chase Headrick had several offers to sign, but is now a student only at Mississippi State University.

Pierce was also All-Region 23 and first-team All-MACJC, while Rhodes and Roberts were second-team All-MACJC. Ray and Rhodes were named to the All-Tournament Team at the World Series.

Ostrander said he and his coaching staff used the fall season to evaluate talent as best as they could. He thinks they have learned quite a bit about the returnees and newcomers heading into this season.

“We had a good fall and we were able to play some games against other opponents,” he said. “It’s good to see other pitchers and hitters and that type of thing, but it’s kind of irrelevant. It’s more about reps for us, as coaches. We want to see what they can do and how they can handle this competition.

“But it was a typical fall for us. We are trying to teach them how we want things done and at the same time, we are trying to learn what they can do. From there, you go into your offseason, where you have about six weeks of hard conditioning, weightlifting and that type of thing.

“You then go into Christmas holidays, come back and you then do as much as you can to prepare yourself for the Feb. 11 opener.”

Ostrander said that how quickly the freshmen and other newcomers adapt to the JCJC system and to the league competition would determine how successful they would be. He said, just like previous teams, it would take some time.

“I think the key will be how fast some of our first-year guys get comfortable,” he said. ‘We will have guys in positions out there that have had few reps or no reps at this level and that makes a difference.  I know we will have growing pains.

“I want to win every game, but at the same time I know it will take some time before you find your niche. I think back to last year and the year before that. It takes some time before you find your flow. And I think this year will be no different.

“But I really like this group.  We have a chance to be solid defensively and on the hill. And I’m really excited about our offense. From what we’ve seen as coaches and when you put a lineup on paper, we think we’ve got a shot to have a fun offense.”

Ostrander added that the Bobcats have done all they can do to get ready for the season.

“This team has worked extremely hard and I hope they have success,” he said. “They deserve it. But we have to go out there and take care of business.”

Based on what the Bobcats have done in Ostrander’s first three years – 36-16 in 2009, 38-12 in 2010 and 46-17 last season – they have become a marked team in the MACJC.

“I would not want it any other way,” said Ostrander, who is 120-45 in his three years at Jones. “I want to be looked at as the team you have to play your best to beat. I want people to come after us – it means we are doing something right.”

Ostrander said the first goal for this year’s team is to win its third straight MACJC South Division title.

“Our goal is to win the South Division and that would be three in a row,” he said. “If you do that, you are guaranteed to host the first round of the playoffs. If you win that, you go to the state tournament and you win there, you are in a regional.

“But our first goal is to win the South and that’s not going to be easy because every team is capable of beating you at anytime. You just have to go out there and find something that separates you from every team.”

Ostrander could not pinpoint one team in particular that would be JCJC’s main competition this spring.

“I think we will match up well with everyone, but that’s not good enough,” he said. “You have to have a little something extra and, hopefully, we will find that with this team.”

Ostrander said the team wants to maximize its potential every time they take the field.

“We want to go out and play perfect baseball, which I know is impossible,” Ostrander said. “We want to play the best we possibly can. If we do that, we know we’re going to win. We are looking forward to it and I guarantee you our team is ready get out on the field against somebody else.”

The Feb. 11 doubleheader against Mississippi Delta is scheduled to be webcast on www.jcjc.tv with Shawn Wansley on the call. First pitch is at 2 p.m. at Community Bank Park.