SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - The Shippensburg University baseball team admittedly went through some growing pains in the 2010 season with a roster that had just two seniors and four juniors. However, the experiences of last season preface a 2011 outlook that is filled with optimism.

While some teams establish a season goal to prove that its previous campaign was not a fluke – the 2011 Raiders will be seeking to do just the opposite. This year, SU is looking to eliminate the bad memories of last season while vying to make a return trip to the PSAC Tournament.

The 2011 squad is a divergent group: 16 returning players and 13 newcomers. Head coach Matt Jones enters his fifth season at Shippensburg with excitement for how his squad has developed.

“We are about 50/50 between new guys and returning players; and everything is going very well,” Jones said. “I am proud of the returners for the way they have accepted the new guys and helped with the transition. We obviously needed to make some changes after the way last season went.”

“I have seen improvements all the way around. Academically, we are better. On the field, we are better. Off the field, we are better. I am looking forward to seeing these guys play - they have worked hard and the group is anxious to get going.”

Pitching

SU entered the 2010 season with a group of pitchers that had combined for just 20 collegiate starts. This season, the Raiders return eight solid pitchers and add six talented newcomers to that mix. There will be no shortage of opportunity for the pitchers to establish themselves as regular contributors.

“I expect our arms to be much healthier this year,” Jones said. “We have better depth on the mound, and I like where we are. We have a good balance of righties and lefties. We have several guys who will be front-end guys and a lot of other guys who can do whatever we need them to do.”

Junior Nick Umberger led the team in strikeouts and innings pitched last season and will once again be a regular member of the rotation. The southpaw made a statement in his first game as a sophomore with nine strikeouts against a nationally-ranked Catawba squad and looks to build off a solid season of summer ball in which he posted a 2.89 ERA through 53 innings with Oneonta of the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL).

In addition to being one of the team's leading hitters in 2010, junior Jimmy Miller emerged as one of the team's regular starting pitchers as well. Miller was an All-PSAC Second Team pick as a utility player and earned a regional Gold Glove for his defensive work on the mound. He had three quality starts in conference play, including a three-hitter at nationally-ranked Kutztown. He is expected to be a starter again this season.

A third junior, Ted Williams, was one of the team's most reliable pitchers in conference play last season. In addition to leading the team with 18 appearances, Williams made five starts against PSAC East foes and finished the year with 40 strikeouts in 50 innings. He did not allow an earned run in eight of his 13 relief appearances and will once again be a key factor for the Raiders.

Two other arms should be counted on for key starts this season. Redshirt junior Kody Kibler threw just 12 innings last season due to injury and will look to return to the form he displayed as a sophomore, when he appeared in 19 games and threw 53 innings.

Sophomore Tom Bush made five starts last season and the Raiders went 3-2 in games that he began on the mound. Bush struck out 20 batters in 24 innings last year and will look to make further improvements this season.

Another sophomore, Josh Scott, was the team's Fall Cy Young award winner as a freshman and tied for the team lead in victories with three. Scott made seven starts last season but is coming off an injury. Upon his return, he will be among the pool of pitchers vying for starts.

Not to be lost in the mix is sophomore David McKolosky, who did not allow an earned run in seven of his final nine appearances last season. McKolosky held the opposition scoreless in five innings of work during conference play and is expected to be another valuable arm this season.

An armada of newcomers is expected to immediately compete for appearances, especially out of the bullpen. Cam Richardson joins the club as a redshirt sophomore while the group of freshmen includes Austin Bartley, Nate Kester, #R.J. Grant#, Nate Jendrzejewski and Shawn Patterson. In addition to their talents, height is certainly a noticeable feature of some of the new arms as four of the newcomers are 6-4 or taller.

In closing situations, Kibler may appear to finish some games along with Cody Kulp – the team's starting right fielder. Kulp had two saves last season and logged 12 innings from the mound.

The common theme binding this year's group of pitchers is the shared desire for growth and progression from season to season.

“I have seen improvements from everyone,” Jones said. “We really struggled with having a full staff from week to week last year, and that was something that had to change. I took that responsibility head on by taking back the role of pitching coach.”

It's a change, and a challenge, that Jones has embraced.

“I have always been a 'pitching guy' and I really like spending more time with the staff,” Jones said. “Whoever is not in the weekend rotation when we get into the conference schedule will have a major role in the bullpen. We emphasized command and tempo this fall, and the guys have worked really hard to pitch the way we need them to.”

Catching

Sophomore Steve Sulcoski figures to see a lot of playing time behind the dish this season along with senior Kris Kullman. Redshirt freshman Tyler Farrell is a newcomer that will also challenge for playing time this season.

Sulcoski made 10 starts during his debut season and totaled seven hits in limited duty as a freshman. Kullman played 24 games at catcher last season and 23 at first base and figures to once again rotate between the two positions this season.

Infield

Versatility and experience are the keys for the infield this season.

It won't quite be a platoon situation at first base – but expect to see a lot of playing time for Jimmy Miller and Kris Kullman. Miller hit .303 with 13 extra-base hits and 21 RBIs while Kullman was second on the team with 32 RBIs and hit .316 with four homers.

As freshmen, Taylor Henry and Pat Kregeloh are two players who will see time at first base and figure to be utility players during their debut seasons. The team has plenty of options at the position with two right-handed hitters and two left-handed hitters among the group vying for playing time.

Junior switch hitter Eric Herman will be a regular at second base this season after finishing his first year in Shippensburg with a .274 average, seven steals, seven sacrifices, 12 RBIs and 17 runs scored. Herman can also play shortstop and the outfield, so his services will be utilized on a regular basis.

Sophomore transfer Sam Phillips figures to see a bulk of the playing time at shortstop this season. Phillips is a talented left-handed hitter and a native of Susquehanna Township High School who brings a lot of intangibles to the table.

Sophomore Zack Piper made 17 starts last season for the Red Raiders and will see time at second base and shortstop this season. Piper is a valuable member of the infield and a solid runner who will once again make his way into many games. Freshman Kenny Baum is another name to watch out for around the infield this season and boasts great speed.

Junior Ben Miller slides back over to the hot corner this year where he thrived as a freshman. Miller had a great fall and also had the experience of playing in the NYCBL over the summer. One year after pacing the team with a .336 batting average, Miller should once again be a regular this season. In two years, Ben has already totaled 24 extra-base hits and 38 RBIs while scoring 57 runs. Jimmy Miller and Pat Kregeloh could also see time at third base.

Outfield

Expect a variety of combinations in the outfield this season with a multitude of players for the coaching staff to choose from.

The undeniable leader of the pack, however, is two-time All-PSAC selection Cody Kulp. The junior has started 100 games in two seasons and during that span has totaled 13 home runs, 25 doubles and 84 RBIs while scoring 69 runs. His defense is just as solid, with a standout statistic being his 11 outfield assists through two years. If there is a sure thing with the lineup, it should be that Kulp will be in right field on a pretty regular basis.

Senior #A.J. Czap# emerged as a regular center fielder for the Raiders last year in his debut campaign with the team. The former junior college star is coming off a campaign in which made 47 starts and finished second on the team with 36 runs scored. He displayed some pop with five round trippers and fulfilled the defensive aspects of his position by committing just two errors. Czap will also be a regular in the outfield this season.

Junior Tyler Uphouse made 40 starts last year and posted a .293 batting average to complement 20 RBIs. Uphouse primarily played left field last season but is adept at a couple of positions in the field. He will be counted upon for more production this season.

Coach Jones is fortunate to have a wealth of options in the outfield. Senior Jesse Smith finished last season with home runs in three of the final four games and should see some time at designated hitter and left field this season. The aforementioned group of Eric Herman, Zack Piper and Kenny Baum all played in the outfield during the fall and performed well.

One of the leading newcomers is freshman Dan Wimer, a native of Solanco High School and a former teammate of Ben Miller. The aforementioned Pat Kregeloh can play either corner outfield spot and might even sneak into pitch every now and then. Freshman Jeff Baltimore II brings speed to the table.

“With our versatility, whoever hits and helps us score runs will play,” Jones said. “We are deeper this year than we have been, so there should be some healthy competition for at-bats.”