Pitching will be Judson's strength
New Judson University baseball coach Rich Benjamin has a luxury that many covet.
"Our strength is probably going to be our starting pitching," said Benjamin, who came to Judson after a 3-year stint as pitching coach at Olivet Nazarene University. "Our top four guys can throw the baseball well. All four guys throw strikes and will give us a chance to win every day."
That starting rotation includes senior Kyle Kobernus, a Naperville North graduate, along with juniors Alcibiades Gonzales (Panama), Carlos Soto (Venezuela) and freshman Daryl Cox (Blue Springs, Mo.). Soto is a left-handed pitcher. Kobernus led the league in strikeouts last year and fanned a career-high 17 in a game against Illinois Institute of Technology.
Sophomore Juan De Armas (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), junior Trent Golz (Streamwood) and senior Scott Kainovic (Von Steuben High School) will also see pitching time in addition to their infield duties.
In addition to that pitching depth, the Eagles return junior outfielder Zach Scipione (Conant), who hit .331 last year and led the league in doubles (18) last year. He will hit third.
Junior Rafael Tejada (Dominican Republic) is a switch hitter who will play first and catch and will hit in the clean-up slot. Golz, who hit .304 last year, will play third, while sophomore Angel Cisneros (Panama) moves to right field after catching last year.
Key newcomers include Elgin Community College transfer Kevin Fischer (SS).
"Kevin is a great catch and throw guy who will lead off for us," said Benjamin.
Freshman center fielder Oscar DePablos (Venezuela) hits left-handed and will bat second. ECC transfer Bret Ehrlich will catch and hit fifth, while junior Roger Lugo (Venezuela) will play second and junior Nate Haberkorn (Las Vegas) will see time at designated hitter and first base.
"The biggest key for us is our roster size," said Benjamin. "We've got 16 players. A comfortable roster for college baseball starts around 24."
But Benjamin isn't using the roster-size as an excuse.
"It's going to be how well we execute our brand of baseball," said Benjamin. "Are we going to be aggressive day in and day out? This is about attitude and mental toughness. Sixteen guys can be a strong group if nobody is selfish. With 16 guys you know you are going to be in the lineup. You can't take a day off. You have to come out to the ball park and be aggressive and ready to win. Our roster size is small, but our front nine hitters and our top four conference starters I feel really as good as any team I've been on in the last couple of years."
Benjamin is going to stress an aggressive brand of baseball at the plate and on the base paths.
"We can hit the ball and we'll be more aggressive on the bases," said Benjamin. "We'll be much more situational and be able to drag and sacrifice and do different things with the bat. That's something we're going to try and capitalize on."
Benjamin liked what he saw in terms of pre-season preparation.
"If they buy into numbers being irrelevant, we should be successful," said Benjamin. "Time will tell. I've seen a strong work ethic and good conditioning and good mental focus. That's all been there. The work ethic has been there. That's a good indication of what is going to happen on the field. I've been pleased with what I've seen."
Benjamin feels the CCAC portion of the schedule will be tougher than ever.
"The conference gets stronger every year," said Benjamin. "We've got five new coaches in the last two or three years. These are younger guys with a lot of energy who have worked hard recruiting. A few years ago it was Olivet and Saint Xavier and then all of a sudden there are 6-8 teams. I think we are one of them. You can finish anywhere in the conference based on where the ball falls."
Judson is scheduled to open the home portion of the 2008 season March 19 at 1 p.m. in a doubleheader against Waldorf College.