Emory, Va. - Now entering his 11th year as the head coach for the Emory & Henry baseball team, Coach Trey McCall looks to rebuild a team that lost five seniors. McCall and assistant coach Chip Schaffner has a new influx of athletes, including 19 freshmen, to work with this season. On the youth of the team, McCall stated, “These guys are young, athletic, and will bring a lot to the game. They have good talent and will give us lots of options“. Last season, the team finished with a 9-27 record, which was last in the ODAC. The current roster will look to improve on their hitting and pitching, which both finished last in the conference. “We have more team speed. More team power. That should equate to scoring more runs,” McCall went on to say.
There are some bright spots for the team this upcoming season. The squad is led by four seniors. Bransen Christopher has been a leader on this team for four years now. As the starting first baseman last year, Christopher led the Wasps in hits (49), doubles (9), and triples (2). The senior was also second in home runs and RBIs, with 4 and 26, respectively. Jordan Woullard has started every game of his career at shortstop for the Wasps. Last season, Woullard led the team in stolen bases with 14, which was good for 5th in conference. With a career .285 batting average, Woullard is always a threat to advance on the base path. Aaron Sparks started 8 games last season as a starting pitcher. Sparks earned 2 wins and a save in his first year for the Wasps. Of his 8 starts, 4 were complete games, which was tied for the lead in the ODAC. Sparks struck out a team-high 25 batters in his 56.1 innings pitched. Kevin Nelson is a power hitting senior that transferred from Virginia Intermont for his last season of eligibility. The 6’3”, 260 pound first baseman and designated hitter belted a long home run vs. the Wasps last year.
The Wasps have some other key returners as well. Sophomore Hunter Jeffries led the team in batting average (.360) while starting 12 games at second base. Junior Brett Johnson will return to his starting role in the outfield as he looks to come back from a season-ending injury last season. His .333 batting average was second on the team. Juniors Ty Hill and Matt McInaw will have spots in the rotation for the Wasps once again this season. Hill posted three wins in his nine starts. The junior pitched a team-high 59.1 innings and fanned 16 batters. McInaw was tied for the team-lead in wins, with three. McInaw also struck out 19 in 41 innings of work. About his pitchers, McCall explained, “It always starts on the mound. We have more depth, which is vital. We have a lot of experience returning.”
The Wasps’ new talent will have to pay dividends for the team to be successful. But with a good crop of returners, transfers, and incoming freshman, look for the Wasps to make strides and move up in the ODAC standings. McCall stated, “They’ve worked real hard as a group in the weight room, class room, and on the practice field. I am excited to get started.”
Leading Returners
Batting Average – Hunter Jeffries, .360
Hits – Bransen Christopher, 49
Home Runs – Bransen Christopher, 4
RBIs – Bransen Christopher, 26
Stolen Bases – Jordan Woullard, 14
Wins – Ty Hill and Matt McInaw, 3
Strikeouts – Aaron Sparks, 25
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-photo courtesy of Caleb
Johnston, E&H '15