Montreat College Baseball will look to a lot of familiar faces to continue the winning tradition for the 2009 season. The Cavaliers hope to improve on their 38 win season in 2008 with a team that returns the entire pitching staff as well as six offensive starters and a great recruiting class.

The pitching staff will be anchored by Garrett Jones and John Shannon. The two seniors combined for 10 wins and 2 saves as well as over 100 strikeouts while both posting era's below 4. The starting rotation is further bolstered by the return of juniors Patrick Ballew and Aaron Hughes.  Ballew was counted on as a weekend starter and will look to fill that role again this year. Hughes had a breakout year as he pitched in many roles for the Cavaliers. Montreat College adds two Junior College transfer in Kyle Chandler and Keith Para.  Chandler (Blue Ridge C.C)  comes to Montreat College after spending two years as the Bears number one starter and Para as one of the top Junior College pitchers in the state of  New York. Also looking to make an immediate impact on the rotation will be freshmen Lewis Fraser and TJ Fussell. Fraser led Western North Carolina in strikeouts as a senior and Fussell brings a great frame and a wealth of knowledge from a strong A.C. Reynolds High School program.

The bullpen will be in great shape as junior Brian Greene and sophomore Seth Blevins return after having stellar seasons as the main go to guys. Greene and Blevins combined for over a 100 innings pitched with Greene being nationally ranked in era all season.

The team will also look to Andrew Tallent, Jonathon Madera and David Flanagan to assume many roles on the mound.

Behind the plate, The Cavaliers will count on senior Justin Cockrell to lead the defense. Cockrell brings a great frame and outstanding knowledge of the game as well as the confidence of the pitching staff. Junior College transfers Max Schott and Will Taylor will add considerable depth to the catching position. Both Schott and Taylor come from tradition rich programs and will make immediate contributions. Freshmen Jordan Sells will battle for early playing time as well. Sells comes to Montreat College as a widely heralded recruit that will make this one of the deepest catching groups in the conference.

The outfield will look to many players to fill roles as depth is one of the strengths of this group. Junior Cameron Duckworth will look to anchor one of the corner positions. Duckworth comes back to Montreat College after leading the Rocky Mountain Collegiate League in every major statistical category and shattering many records over the summer. Junior Casey Duckworth looks to improve on his sophomore season that saw him gain considerable experience as the Cavaliers main defensive replacement and base runner in 2008. Junior College transfers Lucas Martin and Joshua Ashton (36th Round, Atlanta Braves) come to Montreat College from Pitt Community College where they were one game away from the Junior College World Series and look to contribute immediately. Adding depth to both corner positions will be junior Matt Turbeville as well as true freshmen Ryan Bostian and Austin Haynes.

The infield could be as deep and as athletic as ever with the addition Junior College transfers Daniel Benner and Geno Sanchez. Both have the ability to play multiple positions and are very skilled defensively. Sophomore Chris Allen returns to second base where he had a breakout spring both offensively and defensively. Sophomores Jacob Suttles and J.J. Estevez look to compete for playing time at multiple positions as well. Junior Dustin Bartlett will add depth and experience after starting at both Shortstop and Second a year ago. First base will be anchored down by juniors Steven Hoyle and Adam Speas.  Both bring great power and good defensive skills to the position.