Baseball Preview

Coach: Jared Mounts, ninth year

Last year: 3-18 (2-6 Northwestern)

Key losses: Brock Lockhart, 3B; Cody Vorous, C; Cooper Franks, P

Top returning players: Tyler Dick, Sr. C; Mitchell Prelip, Sr. OF; Matt Copley, Sr. P/SS; Daniel Garber, Sr. 1B; Tyler Murphy, Sr. P/OF; Mike Craig, Sr. P; Scott Johnson, Sr. OF.

Key newcomers :Reese Alley, Sr. P/3B; Garret Cunningham, Sr. P/3B; Addison Barber, Soph. P; A.J. Eubank, Jr. 2B; Jordan Iden, Jr. UTIL; Frank Minor Jr. OF

Outlook: The Colonels took a hit with inexperience and won just three games last season.

Copley (3-7, 3.41 ERA) was a tough-luck loser in many games. He still led the area with 63 strikeouts and has been a starting pitcher since his freshman season.

"We didn't execute behind [Copley] last season," Mounts said. "I think he's coming into the season with a lot more confidence now. He and Tyler [Dick] have stepped up with the leadership roles. I don't think that [Copley] will feel like he has to carry the load."

The Colonels will also look for good innings out of left-handers Barber and Craig. Barber was a late-season call-up in 2010 and had a pair of quality starts.

Offensively, Murphy should give the Colonels a table-setter from the leadoff spot. Mounts has also been high on Cunningham, who is playing for the first time since his freshman year. Minor could provide some power from the left side.