2011 SHORTER UNIVERSITY BASEBALL ARMED&READY RED, WHITE & BLUE FRIDAYS Starting Feb. 4 at every Friday home game, the Shorter University baseball program will show its appreciation of our men and women of the United States Armed Forces by wearing its authentic Stars and Stripes Shorter University Baseball hats and blue jerseys. The baseball team wants to recognize those who serve and have served our country and show that a vast majority of Americans support our troops. Our hope is to help others in understanding that our men and women of the United States Military need our prayers. With Red, White, and Blue Fridays, the Hawks are voicing their love for God, country and home. Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for our soul and theAmerican G.I. sacrifices his life for our freedom. Please help support our military by attending Friday games and wearing commemorative Shorter Stars and Stripes apparel. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” -- John 15:13 TABLE OF CONTENTS / QUICK FACTS School Information Introduction ................................................. 3-13 Location ................................... Rome, Georgia Quick Facts .............................................. 3 Champions of Character ............................. 4-5 Founded ................................................1873 The New U ............................................. 6-7 Enrollment ............................................2,900 Robert H. Ledbetter Baseball Complex ............ 8-9 President ..........................Dr. Harold E. Newman President, Dr. Harold E. Newman ............... 10-11 Director of Athletics ........................ Bill Peterson Director of Athletics, Bill Peterson .............. 12-13 Nickname .............................................Hawks Colors ................................. Royal Blue & White Season Preview ........................................... 14-19 Affiliation .................................. NAIA Division I Season Outlook ..................................... 14-16 Conference..................... Southern States Athletic Schedule................................................. 17 Home Field .............. Robert H. Ledbetter Complex Roster ................................................ 18-19 Athletic Dept. Phone .................... (706) 233-7347 Team Personnel ........................................... 20-25 Coaching Staff Head Coach, Matt Larry ........................... 20-21 Head Coach .....................................Matt Larry Assistant Coaches .................................. 22-23 Alma Mater ..................... Shorter University, 1993 Support Staff ....................................... 24-25 Season ................................................... 8th Career Record @ SU ..............................165-209 Player Profiles ............................................ 26-43 Assistant Coach................................ Lee Bryant Seniors ............................................... 26-38 Alma Mater ...................... Bluefield College, 2006 Underclassmen ..................................... 39-43 Assistant Coach Email ............ [email protected] Assistant Coach..........................Andy Henderson Program Information .................................... 44-49 Alma Mater ..................... Jacksonville State, 1997 SSAC East Opponents .............................. 44-45 Assistant Coach Email ....... [email protected] Hawk Nation ............................................ 46 Bullpen Club ............................................ 47 Team Information Involvement Opportunities ....................... 48-51 2010 Record ...........................................24-32 Meet the Team Dinner ............................. 52-53 2010 SSAC Record/Finish .......................8-13/6th Community Outreach .................................... 54-59 Position Players Returning/Lost ..................... 4/5 Pitchers Returning/Lost ............................... 8/2 2010 Recap ................................................ 60-63 Season Review ...................................... 60-61 Baseball History Results/Final Standings ............................... 62 1st Year of Baseball ...................................1969 Statistics ................................................ 63 All-Time Record ................................ 1,150-855 Records Section .......................................... 64-65 Sports Information Year-by-Year Results ................................... 64 Sports Information Director .................Matt Green All-Time Player Honors ................................ 65 Alma Mater ...................... Hampden-Sydney, 2007 Office honeP .............................. (706) 233-7468 Team Travel Information .....................................66 Office Fax ................................. (706) 233-7575 Email ................................ [email protected] The 2011 Baseball Media Guide is a production of the Official ebsiteW .................. GoShorterHawks.com Shorter Sports Information Department. Written, edited and designed by SID, Matt Green. Photography by Matt The Shorter University baseball program would like Green, Matt Larry, Tracey Long, and Dawn Tolbert. On the to extend a special “Thank You” to The Georgia Army cover (from left to right): Shorter starting pitchers Blake National Guard, Sergeant First Class Tommy Cauffman Chapman, Stephen Adkins, Brick Carter and Tim Day. On and Sergeant Matt Akers of the US Army Georgia National the back: Shorter’s 2011 pitching staff, The Dirty Dozen. Guard for their continuing support. 2011 SHORTER HAWKS Baseball Guide • GoShorterHawks.com 3 CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER SU Baseball earns NAIA Champions of Character Team Award By Matt Green (Released: June 3, 2010) KANSAS CITY -- The Shorter University baseball team has been named the 2009-10 Buffalo Funds Five Star Champions of Character Team Award winner as announced by the NAIA late last week. The prestigious award, one of 23 given out by the NAIA for each of its 23 championship sports, honors the one team in each sport that demonstrates in every day decisions respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship. The winning institutions and athletic programs strive for excellence in and out of competition and are part of communities throughout the country dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. “I am blown away and very excited for our team about receiving this honor,” said Shorter head baseball coach Matt Larry who, in his seven years at the helm of the Hawks’ program, has made sure his players and coaches are actively involved in community outreach projects. “There is no question that our guys work hard on the field, and in the classroom, they work just as hard to get out into the community to make a difference,” he added. “It is a great honor to receive this award and I cannot say enough about the hard work and dedication that our guys displayed, as well as, the support Shorter has given us in these events.” “We feel that our team does more than any other team in the nation and I am glad that the NAIA was able to recognize our team In one of the most touching and popular community events of for its efforts in giving back to both our campus and the entire 2010, the Baseball Hawks hosted Military Appreciation Day Rome community.” during which they wore commemorative camouflaged uniforms. Shorter’s baseball program has built a reputation for the incredible events such as Halloween festivals and other celebrations. amount of community events that it hosts each year, both in the fall non-traditional season and during home contests in the spring. The Hawks also participated in Drug Free Awareness Day at Garden Lakes Elementary as part of Red Ribbon week in the fall and During the 2009-10 academic year, the Shorter baseball team took supported the Open Door Home (ODCH) – an organization that part in 12 different community outreach events and made its mark provides housing for underprivileged youth in the community – by by making appearances in the community, taking mission trips to hosting the children of ODCH for pizza and fellowship during a foreign countries and helping to raise awareness and over $8,000 in Shorter volleyball match. funding for numerous charitable causes. In addition to sponsoring the popular Shorter Hawks Baseball Kids The Baseball Hawks take part in a number of outreach programs Club, the Baseball Hawks also hosted a series of T-ball camps for directed towards elementary school-aged children in the Rome and young children during the fall and spring in conjunction with the surrounding communities. Rome YMCA at the Robert H. Ledbetter Baseball Complex. This past year, the Hawks took time to visit local elementary “These community events are huge for our players because they get schools where they read books to students, provide an opportunity to be involved with the kids and families of Rome,” Larry said. “The for the children to meet mascot Harry the Hawk and participate in biggest rewards for us are the smiles on the children’s faces.” 4 2011 SHORTER HAWKS Baseball Guide • GoShorterHawks.com Several Shorter players and coaches made a trip to the Dominican servicemen and women who sacrifice so dearly for the freedom we Republic during the Thanksgiving holiday to teach baseball and enjoy. participate in mission work with Dominican children through SCORE International. During the trip, the players also participated in The event also