2012 Season Preview

     2011 was a breakthrough season in Coach Phil Stephenson's 6th season.  The Conquistadors finished with a 30-29 record and Dodge City won the Region VI Division II Championship. The Conqs only have 5 sophomore returners for 2012 but the coaching staff feels this team has a great chance to improve on last season.  A solid recruiting class of incoming freshman and transfers should step in and provide not only some new starters, but depth as well.  With all the new faces, the Conquistadors hope to continue to move upward for 2012 season.

Overview  

    The 2012 DCCC baseball team has the talent and depth to compete and have success in the Jayhawk Conference this year.  The schedule is solid with an early season trip to New Mexico and Colorado and home and home matchups with Northern Oklahoma-Enid, Trinidad State and will also make a trip to Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa.  Along with the Jayhawk Conference schedule, the Conquistadors will again compete at the NJCAA Division II level and will take on both Hesston College and Brown Mackie College for the Region VI Division II title.  Coach Stephenson is very excited about this year’s group, “Even with the small number of returning starters, our transfers along with the incoming freshman provide us with the most depth we have had in my tenure here at Dodge.  I think we have many newcomers who have the ability to do well this year.”

PITCHING

    The 2012 pitching staff returns only 4 pitchers who saw time on the mound last year.  But the Coaching Staff feels pitching should be one of the strengths of this team. Kyle Myers (6-2 3.19 ERA 79.0 innings), and Andrew White (8-6 3.75 ERA 81.2 innings) will lead this young pitching staff as well as returners Alan Scott, and Cody Voelker (also plays the infield).  Sophomore transfers Maverick Rork (Mid-America Christian College) and Corbin Crockett (Seminole St. JC) will be looked at to step in and contribute right away.  A talented freshman class will look to step in and pitch in some big situations. Freshman Anthony Pena will be used at the back end of the game.  Newcomers Sam Brunner, Wyndam Williams, Walker Rainwater, Joey Cinea, Trez Sibley, and Zach Keller will be in the mix for a starter or long-relief role. Freshmen Travis Leverett, Jake York, Josh Cassidy and Mike Rusk will be used in a variety of roles to provide depth.

Infield

    Cody Voelker (.319 Avg 6 HR’s 48 RBI’s) returns for his sophomore season and will lead a very strong infield.  Up the middle, Dodge has plenty of options with Crockett, Pena, freshman transfer Jarren Donato (Otero JC) as well as freshmen Kevin Cardinal and Josh Ginther pushing for playing time.  Voelker can play anywhere on the infield but will mostly be used at 3B.   Coach Stephenson really likes the versatility that all of the infielders bring to the table.  Pena, Freshmen Austin Petersen and Josh Cassidy could see time at multiple positions on the infield.

Outfield

    The Conqs will be completely new in the outfield this year.  Although the outfield will be inexperienced, the coaching staff believes defensively the outfield will be among the best in the conference.  Freshman transfer Chris Ramsey (Otero JC), and Freshman Connor Ross will lead this group of young outfielders.  The coaching staff also believes Pena will see some time in the OF, Freshman transfer Daniel Franceschetti (Midland JC) will provide a big bat in the lineup and Sophomore transfer John Cotton (Southwest Oklahoma St) will provide versatility.  Red-shirt Freshman Zach Harvey and Freshman Gavin Brady will also push for playing time in the OF.

Catching

    Sophomore Region VI Division II Defensive Player of the Year, Colton Anderson, returns to anchor the team behind the dish. Colton will continue to control the running game along with taking care of the young pitching staff.  Red-shirt Freshman Tyson Carpenter, Cotton, and Freshman Fernando Acosta are all in the mix for playing time.