SHEPHERDSTOWN- Following a strong season last year, the Shepherd Rams are preparing themselves for what lies ahead this year, as they were picked to repeat as Mountain East Conference champions in a poll of MEC coaches.
2014 was a great season for the Rams’ baseball team, finishing the season 39-14. After winning the MEC title, the Rams fell to Kutztown in the Division II Atlantic Regional tournament in their chase of a national championship.
The Rams lost two big weapons from last season in pitcher Paul Hvozdovic and outfielder Michael Lott, who were both selected as All Americans in 2014.
In the spring, the Rams will return with all region second baseman Jacob Carney, who had a fielding percentage of .949 on 195 chances with 10 errors. At the plate, Carney batted .472 with 54 hits and led the team in triples.
The Rams will also return senior infielder Spencer Wolfe, who was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II All-American second team. Wolfe was a big part of the Rams lineup last spring leading the team doubles, 19, home runs, 7, runs scored, 57, total bases, 106, and slugging percentage, .624. Behind the plate, Wolfe was solid as well throwing out seven runners and holding a .968 fielding percentage.
Junior Ryan Pansch will be the Rams’ ace this year. Pansch was 7-4 last year and held his era down to 2.67.
The Rams will return three hitters that batted over .300 in the lineup with Wolfe, Carney, and Matt Wilson, who batted .388, the teams batting order should be solid as well.
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