GEORGETOWN, Texas - The 2012 Southwestern baseball team may look a little different from the stands, but Coach Jim Shelton's squad is bursting at the seams with talent which means each time the Pirates take the field they will have a new look to keep opponents on their toes.

"We have so many people that can play various positions," shares Coach Shelton. "When we had our first team meeting I told our guys that I felt like this team would be unique compared to others in the fact that we don't have a set nine. This team is going to have a lot of rotation with people coming in and out and that is going to be one of our strengths this season."

Setting the tone on the field is a group of seniors that have amassed a ton of experience over their four years at SU. The five seniors, Chris Webber, Nate Shipp, Russell Kelly, Cray Betts and Matt Stuart (pictured), make up the heart of the SU defense by covering the middle of the field and, to Coach Shelton's benefit, are natural leadership positions.

"Several of these guys are outstanding leaders and is another big strength of our team," states Coach Shelton. "They help keep things headed in the right direction by showing the young players how to appreciate every day and cherish the opportunity they have."

Shipp and Betts have been constants on the field and at the plate for the Pirates for the last three years, starting every game they appeared in last season and have played in a combined 207 contests during their tenure. Betts was in the top five in nearly every offensive category last year, ending the season fourth in runs scored (22), third in hits (35), second in RBIs (26), tied for second in triples (1), fourth in homeruns (2) and tied for first in doubles (7) while posting a .271 batting average in the middle of a position change to center field that help solidify the Pirate defense. Despite the new position, Betts quickly became one of the best centerfielders in the conference. Shipp was the power hitter of the class, tying for second on the team last season with three homeruns and posted a .269 batting average with 21 hits in 78 at bats including six doubles, good enough for second on the team, despite sustaining a wrist injury in mid-March that hampered his offensive production for the last half of the year.  Shipp has been in the top 3 of both home runs and doubles every year during his time at Southwestern. 

Adding to the experienced core of this team is a set of returners and newcomers that are sure to make their presence known early on in the year. Middle infielder Charlie Garrett was fourth on the team with a .328 batting average, often using his speed to leg out infield hits; a skill that will be employed a lot this season. Catcher Johnny Gavrel will supply the power for SU as he led the team in 2011 with a .574 slugging percentage with a team high eight homeruns and 32 RBIs while Lance Gottardy, fifth on the team with a .321 batting average, will help drive runners in with his consistent stick. Throw in a talented first-year class of 11 and the Pirates are set to make a trip to the SCAC Conference Tournament.

Coach Shelton states, "I have several young players that are going to be in the thick of things early and they are very well-trained and smart on and off the field and that adds a level of excitement."

Three seniors head up a talented, albeit young, crew on the mound with nearly 30 appearances between them. Stuart posted a 2-2 record with a 5.33 ERA in 52.1 innings of work and came up big in the biggest of situations.  Stuart's first win came in the opening game against Trinity last year when he threw a complete game and scattered four hits while striking out 6.  Stuart also threw 5 2/3 in a win against Hendrix to even the season series the Pirates eventually won.  Webber went 1-3 last year in 15 appearances and 8 starts with a 7.49 ERA.  Many of Webber's appearances came in hold situations when the Pirates had the lead in several of their wins.  Webber recorded 26 strike outs and just 4 walks in 33 innings of work.  Kelly made four appearances last season with an 11.37 ERA.  Sophomore Jason Stading brings significant experience back to the mound after a 2011 season in which he was second on the team in ERA with a 2.79 and was 2-1 in 9 appearances with 3 starts and 19 innings pitched.  "We have three guys that are pretty good starters right now with a good mix of experience, but have some questions on the depth of our bullpen overall," says Coach Shelton. "As long as they do what they are good at in the heat of the game and maintain their composure they will do well and contribute to our success."

Coach Shelton and his staff will be looking for the Pirates to find an identity offensively through the early part of the season and will most likely be one of speed over power, scrapping for runs by putting pressure on the defense and "relying on our smarts and speed to create more runs."

Southwestern opens the 2012 season at Texas Wesleyan University on Sunday, January 29^th. There, Coach Shelton will be able to get quality work in for the pitchers, allowing them to develop their stamina and, in some cases, get their feet wet and accustomed to the college game. Additionally, it will be a good test on the Pirate's ability to execute offensively for the betterment of the team.

SU opens at home on February 4^th with a double header against Concordia (TX) at 1:00 pm. CU-A and other early non-conference games will give Coach Shelton a good look at his team and indicate whether or not they are on the right path and in time to make adjustments before opening SCAC conference action at home against Austin College on February 25^th.

Southwestern landed just outside of earning a berth to the SCAC Conference Tournament and are looking to get back there in 2012. "I have coached in this conference so long and I have seen so many different things that I have told the guys this, they can win the conference championship. The team that gets to the tournament and gets hot at the right time are the important parts. It is a different set up this year with teams moving to other sides of the conference and a new team coming in. It will be a battle as it always is, it will be hard, but that is what makes it worth getting."