The 2011 season saw Central Florida baseball coach Marty Smith earn his 500th win, a milestone achievement representing close to two decades worth of excellence.
But unfortunately, that's not Smith's enduring memory of the 2011 season.
For the second consecutive season, 2011 saw CF sidelined as two other teams from the highly-competitive Mid-Florida Conference advanced to the FCSAA State Tournament. After postseason berths in two of the previous three seasons, including a state championship game appearance in 2007, the Patriot playoff drought is a very unwelcome development for a program long established among the state's elite.
In response, Smith has assembled one of the most complete Patriot teams in recent memory. The roster features a mix of promising freshmen and proven sophomores, a wealth of pitching options, solid defensive and fundamental players and an array of contact and power hitters. And Smith has brought in a new coaching staff to fashion that talent into a winner; Arthur Stenberg, a lifelong baseball man with experience at the NCAA and Major League Baseball, takes over the Patriot pitching corps, while former Patriot first baseman Zach Bove returns to his alma mater after completing a solid playing career at Flagler College.
Follow Friday's season opener live online via DakStats.
Here's a look at the group poised to restore CF to the midst of the state championship race:
PITCHING: New Jersey native Darren Fischer threw his way to the top of the Patriot rotation with a strong fall season. The 6-0 lefthander was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2010 after posting an ERA under 2.00 as a prep senior. Though sidelined currently, fellow southpaw Eric Bauer could make a run at Fischer's No. 1 slot upon his return.
CF strengthened its pitching staff at the winter break with the additions of NCAA Division II transfer Matt Marsh and freshman hurlers Taylor Renegar and John Hooker. The new recruits will team with Kevin Games, an elite Southwest Florida prep prospect who will contribute on the mound and at the plate, and Ocala product Colby Wisdom to give CF one of the state's most promising starting rotations.
Freshman righthander Joe Marotta, meanwhile, has proven well-suited to high-leverage relief work and has an opportunity to solidify himself as the team's closer. He headlines a strong bullpen group that includes New Jersey import Tomas Rivera and native Ocalan Matt Rodriguez.
HITTING: Smith uncovered a top-flight pure leadoff man in freshman shortstop Melvin Mercedes, a constant threat to reach base and do some damage when he gets there. The New York City product is among a group of high-average contact hitters and opportunistic baserunners at the top of the CF order. Returning sophomore standouts Christian Coburn and Yoenny Gonzalez headline that cast, with support from NCAA Division II transfer Justin Burgess and Ocala freshman Mario Urdaneta.
With that many threats to reach base, CF's middle-of-the-order power hitters expect to have plenty of opportunities to produce runs. Incumbent sophomores Scott Schaub and Josh Whitchurch are the proven stars of the group, but they'll have ample help from new additions Games, Theo Castillo, Ryan Smith and Derrick Davis.
DEFENSE: Whitchurch settled in nicely behind the plate as a freshman, and will hold down the position again with support from Castillo and Anthony Santiago.
Third baseman Schaub and shortstop Mercedes give CF skill and stability on the left side of the infield, where the balls are hit harder and the plays are often tougher to make. They'll be throwing to the sure-handed Smith at first base, while Burgess, Urdaneta and Rivera platoon at second. A pair of homegrown prep stars, sophomore Casey Elkins and freshman Danny Timmons, give the Patriots depth and options in utility roles.
The outfield is spearheaded by speedy duo of Coburn and Gonzalez in center and right, respectively, while Games will patrol left when not on the mound. Davis and Ocala-bred freshman Sean Plunkett round out a versatile outfield rotation.
