Ravens ready to get 2012 season underway

February 16, 2012

Drew Noble returns to help anchor the Ravens' starting pitching staff. Noble, along with Cole Webb, were honorable mention all-conference starters last season and the Ravens will lean heavily on the duo in 2012.

Coffeyville Community College Head Baseball Coach John Martin has been a busy man since taking over the Red Raven program last July. Martin, who spent the previous three seasons as Emporia State University’s pitching coach, will be in his first year as a head coach at the college level this season.

Since taking over the program, Martin, along with assistant coaches Michael Cotter and Jake Martin have worked hard with pre-season workouts and games, recruiting, improving facilities and gaining sponsorships for the Red Raven program. Now, the coaching staff is anxious to see how the hard work will play out for the 2012 season.

The Ravens will have two honorable mention All Jayhawk Conference starters returning to anchor the pitching staff. Drew Noble and Cole Webb will fill the top two spots in the Ravens starting rotation in 2012.

Last season, Webb was 4-3 with a 3.27 ERA. In nearly 72 innings, Webb struck out a team high 59 batters while allowing only 64 hits. Noble was 5-2 with a 4.55 ERA last year. In 63 innings, Noble struck out 39 and walked just 17.

Coffeyville native and freshman Dustin Hurlbutt is the front-runner for the third slot in the rotation with the fourth slot coming down to a battle between freshmen Stephen Foster, Mike Neighbors and Jordan Pendergraft.

Sophomore Robert Hoffman will handle closer duties this season for the Ravens. Sophomores Cole Rightmeier, John Branum and Garrett Blankenship will handle a majority of the short relief duties. Pitchers slated for long relief roles include sophomore Derek Houser and freshmen Chris Johnson, Austin Jensen and Victor Narvaez.

“I’m just looking for our staff to give us a chance to win every day, throw strikes and let our defense work,” said Martin. “That’s all we need.”

Martin believes the Ravens will field a strong defensive team. “We expect the defense to be locked in every day and make the routine play,” said Martin. “We preach to our pitchers to throw strikes because the one thing we can control each day is our defensive play.”

Luke Slagle is the likely starter at first with John Lauts also seeing time at first. The rest of the infield will include Braden Brown at second, Jordan Hodges at short, and Adam Valencia at third. Christopher Bervert will see time at second as will B.W. Savage. Corbin Francisco and Luis Munoz will back-up at short. Branum and Johnson will be the back-ups at third.

The outfield will likely see Alex Wilson in left, Hoffman in center and Webb in right field. Willie Brown will see playing time in center as well and Pendergraft will also play right. Spencer Booe will see some time in left field.

The catcher spot is still to be determined, said Martin. Players competing for playing time at the catcher spot are Aric Valencia, David Espinosa, Tyler Beebe and Houser.

Branum and Lauts will see the most significant time at the DH spot.

Since college baseball adopted new standards in composite bats a couple seasons ago, offensive strategies have adapted. “The home run numbers have dropped across the country,” said Martin. “You now have to hit and run, and bunt, those kind of things.”

“We need to limit our strikeouts and battle at the plate,” added Martin. “Our goal is to score a run an inning.”

The Ravens will be aggressive on the bases. “Adam Valencia, Luis Munoz and Luke Slagle – those guys can run – but you don’t have to be a speed guy to steal bases or take an extra base,” said Martin. “You just have to be smart.”

Martin expects Cowley and Neosho County to be a couple of teams the Ravens will need to compete with for conference supremacy. “Fort Scott, Johnson County and Kansas City are others who are usually near the top as well,” said Martin.

The Ravens will start the season on Feb. 14 at Carl Albert. The home opener is a week later on Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. at Walter Johnson Park.