Cavalier Baseball 2015 media guide
Welcome to 2015 Darton State College Cavalier Baseball! It is sure to be an exciting season of Cavalier Baseball as Head Coach Scot Mike Kiefer Hemmings looks to build on a successful 2014 season. Coach Hemmings has assembled a roster that will be very competitive in his 4th year at the helm of the Cavaliers. I have been very impressed with his commitment and expectations that the team will have the character and work ethic to be champions academically and athletically at Darton College. The team has a challenging schedule ahead in preparation for a run at GCAA and NJCAA Region XVII Championships, and ultimately a berth into the NJCAA World Series. Cavalier baseball will once again be fun to watch as they enter the season with high hopes and expectations. Darton College and the Intercollegiate Athletic Department are committed to providing our student athletes with outstanding athletic and academic experiences. These experiences will prepare our current team members for success in all of their future endeavors, both on and off the baseball field. This is one of the many reasons why Darton College is widely considered one of the premier two year athletic programs in the nation. Much of the success our student athletes and teams achieve is due to the outstanding support from the college administration, faculty/staff, and boosters. The continued support is greatly appreciated. See you at the game! Mike Kiefer Director of Athletics Dean of Physical Education Darton State College Cavaliers ready for 2015 season Intensity - you can feel it this week, just as soon as you toe the baseline of the well-manicured Darton infield. Nearly 30 Cavaliers swarm, hustling from one station to the next, no one speaks yet everyone seems to know what to do and precisely when to do it. It s an incredible sight. Over the plate, sophomore Tavin Thompson is slapping 91 mph fastballs. William Golden s glove snatches up everything in the outfield. Luis Salas and Sterling Sharp are pulled to the baselines where men with microphones and cameras wait their turns for interviews. Everywhere you look, you see all the working components of a synergistic team that is eager to compete. The Cavalier roster lends only six sophomores, including familiar names such as Salas, Golden, Thompson, Max Thomas and Eric Henderson. There is also pitcher Sterling Sharp, who was named one the the top 4-year transfers in the NJ- CAA. He and Henderson, who was named one the the NJCAA s top returners, will throw one and two in Darton s rotation. Just over 20 freshmen will pull on the red and black jerseys eager to make a name for themselves with a program that won 129 games and transferred over 30 players over the last three seasons. Darton s first home game is on Feb. 6, as the Cavs host Central Alabama in a double-header at 3 p.m. Scot Hemmings enters his fourth year with the Cavaliers Scot Hemmings begins his fourth year as Darton State College s head baseball coach after winning a total of 129 games in his first 3 years. In Hemmings first season, the Cavaliers set a new school record in wins with an overall record of 38-20 and then set another school record for wins with a 47-9 mark in 2013. A total of eleven team and individual records were broken in 2012 and then 10 records were broken in 2013. Five Cavaliers earned all conference selections, 2 earned academic All-American honors, 3 conference tournament all tournament team selections, 2 Rawlings Gold Glove selections, and a NJCAA All-American in Cody Wofford for the 2013 season. The Cavaliers had 5 Division 1 signees, 4 Division 2 signees, an NAIA signee and 1 player drafted in the 23rd round by the San Diego Padres. The Cavaliers finished the season as runner-up in the conference tournament to end the season with a record of 47-9. The Cavaliers achieved another program first with their first ever District appearance. The baseball team finished 44-20 overall and saw several records broken again. The Cavaliers finished the year with a 29-7 conference record, played in their first ever district tournament, and played in the championship game finishing runner up in the conference tournament. Coach Hemmings has the program going in the right direction and look forward to getting to the program s first ever World Series appearance in 2015. Hemmings is a graduate of Columbus High School, where he played for three Georgia State High School Championship baseball teams under legendary coach Bobby Howard. Hemmings enjoyed a fruitful athletic career at Columbus High, where he was named to the First Team All Bi-City Team in both football and baseball and First Team All-State during his senior campaign. Upon his graduation in 1995, Hemmings was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 61st round, but chose to attend college instead, and played 2 years at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College for Coach Craig Young. While at ABAC, Hemmings broke the school record for stolen bases as a freshman, and as a sophomore earned First Team All-Conference honors, while leading his team to a third place finish in the GJCAA in 1997. Upon completion of a stellar career at ABAC, Coach Hemmings earned a baseball scholarship to Columbus State University. However, the San Diego Padres drafted Hemmings in the 18th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball June draft, and he elected to sign with the Padres. Hemmings played three seasons in the Padres organization, making it as high as AAA Las Vegas. He became highly regarded in the front office as he brought speed, power, and a strong arm to the table, and was on a focused track to the big leagues. Unfortunately, Hemmings career became injury riddled, and forced Hemmings to retire after a short spring training stint with the Detroit Tigers in 2000. After finishing his playing days, Hemmings joined the staff at Alabama junior college powerhouse, Chattahoochee Valley Community College. In 2003 he helped guide the Pirate program to a school record 41 wins and a 2nd place finish in the AJCAA conference tournament. Hemmings spent two seasons under Coach Adam Thomas before he moved his career to Andrew College in Cuthbert, GA. Hemmings team set a school record for wins in 2006 (34) and was named Georgia Dugout Club Coach of the Year. After a 3rd place finish in 2006 and 2007, Hemmings was again named Diamond Sports Regional Coach of the Year. Coach Hemmings decided after the 2008 season to move back to Columbus area as he accepted the head coaching position at Central High School on May 30, 2008. After rebuilding Central High School s baseball program and leading them back to the state play-offs for the first time in 6 years, Coach Hemmings accepted the Head Coaching job at Darton State. He became only the 2nd Coach in Darton State s history replacing legendary Coach Glenn Eames who retired from coaching. Hemmings is an intense competitor and brings a strong passion for the game to the field every day. He brings a wealth of talent and knowledge to Darton State, especially on the offensive end. Hemmings looks forward to leading Darton State College toward their first ever conference title in 2015. Hemmings is a 2002 graduate of Troy State University with a degree in business administration and a 2005 graduate of Troy State University with a master in business administration degree. Born May 6, 1977, the Columbus-native was married to the former Amy Thomas on January 3, 2004. The Hemmings have two daughters Addie Loette (7) and Allison Caroline (6) and a son, Brandon Scot JR (3).
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Justin Huff Pitching Coach Boone Webster Justin Huff enters his fifth season as an assistant coach and fourth season as recruiting coordinator at his alma mater. On the field, he instructs infielders and catchers, coaches base runners, and assists with hitters. Huff has assisted head coach Scot Hemmings with an offense that has set twelve team season records and eight individual season records over the past three seasons. The 2014 squad finished with a 44-20 record while falling a game shy of attending the NJCAA World Series. The East Central District Runner-up finish and #15 national ranking was the best finish in program history. In 2014, the Cavaliers had 5 GCAA All-Conference 1st team selections, 1 NJCAA Rawlings Gold Glove award winner, and an NJCAA Superior Academic Achievement honoree. Off the 2014 team, three Cavaliers are headed to D-1 programs, four to D-2, and four to NAIA schools. Since Huff assumed the recruiting responsibilities in 2011, 34 Cavaliers have continued their careers at the four-year university or professional level. In his four years working with infielders and catchers, Huff has had seven GCAA Gold Glove award winners. In 2014, third baseman Tavin Thompson and catcher Payton Mann earned the GCAA Gold Glove award for their respective positions. In 2013, Shortstop Cody Wofford earned the GCAA Gold Glove award at shortstop and Casey James took the honors at first base for the second consecutive year. In 2012, James was named GCAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year. James two errors in 359 chances also landed him on the 2012 Rawlings Gold Glove All-American team. Shortstop Cody Wofford earned national recognition being placed on the 2013 NJCAA All-American team batting.376 in his sophomore season while producing 86 runs and stealing 23 bases. On the bases in 2012, the Cavaliers stole 122 bags setting a school record and leading the conference in the category. The Cavalier base runners were able to best this feat in 2013 swiping 189 bags which was the 2nd best total in the nation. Again in 2014, the Cavs placed 2nd in the nation with 169 stolen bases. Before coming back to Darton College, Huff had begun a career in business. During that time, he also served as the junior varsity head coach at Deerfield-Windsor School and as an assistant for a local American Legion squad. As a player at Darton College for the 2004-05 seasons, Huff was a 2005 All-GJCAA shortstop for Coach Glenn Eames. He was voted team captain for the Cavalier squad that had previously set the record for the most wins in school history. He set three individual records at the college including single season total at-bats, base-on-balls, and hit-by-pitch. After graduating from Darton, he spent his junior year at Division I power Coastal Carolina under Gary Gilmore. For his senior season, he transferred to Valdosta State and received Academic All-Gulf South Conference honors as the Blazer shortstop in 2007. He also had a brief professional career in 2007 playing in the South Coast League. Huff was a middle infielder for Phil Plantier s Macon Music team that won the second half league championship. The Albany native and Westover High School graduate earned his Associate of Business Administration degree from Darton College and his Bachelor of Business Administration from Valdosta State University. In 2010, he completed his Master of Business Administration degree from Kennesaw State University. Huff married the former Jenna McWilliams in October of 2011. They have one daughter, Devon (1 yr). Boone Webster begins his third year at Darton State College as the pitching coach for the Cavaliers. During the 2013 season, the Cavalier pitching staff finished 1st in the league in Innings pitched(445), third in the league in ERA (2.97). The 2013 staff set 5 school records(era, R, ER, BB, HR) and 1 Individual season record with Davis Adkins setting a school ERA record with a.58 era. Also in 2013, Webster saw his first pitcher taken in the MLB draft with Chris Long being drafted in the 23rd round by the San Diego Padres. In 2012, the Cavalier pitching staff finished third in the conference in both Earned Run Average(3.66) and Opponent s Batting Average(.242). Under Webster s direction, Matt Aldrich received Honorable Mention All-American honors and was voted 1st Team All- GCAA. Webster came to Darton State after one year as the pitching coach at East Georgia College in Swainsboro, GA. Before beginning his collegiate coaching career, Webster spent two years as an assistant coach at his alma mater Centennial High School in Roswell, GA. As a player at Centennial, Webster set three single season school records including ERA (1.15), strikeouts (116), and innings pitched (85) as he finished 8-4 as a senior. He was selected to the All-Area team and Braves 400 Club. After high school, Webster pitched at Young Harris College. In 2005, he helped lead the Mountain Lions to a 52-11 record with the regular season and tournament championship. As a sophomore, the team finished with 49 wins and the regular season championship. He continued his collegiate career at Mercer University. In his first game as a Bear, he picked up a win against #2 nationally ranked Miami in three scoreless innings of relief. As a senior, he was named to the Atlantic Sun All-Academic Team. The Tifton, GA native graduated from Mercer University in 2008 with his bachelor of art degree in communications and a minor in business administration. He married the former Ashly Stone in October of 2013.
Number: 16 Name: Jeremy Beasley Weight: 215 Hometown: Lyons, GA Number: 26 Name: Cole Bradley Height: 5 7 Weight: 180 Hometown: Valdosta, GA Number: 21 Name: John Cable B/T: L/R Height: 6 1 Weight: 215 Hometown: Roswell, GA Number: 07 Name: William Golden Weight: 220 Hometown: Waycross, GA Number: 11 Name: Kyle Hansen Weight: 160 Hometown: Ocala, FL Darton State College Cavaliers 2015 Number: 22 Name: Eric Henderson Weight: 200 Hometown: Marietta, Ga Number: 03 Name: Chandler Cross Height: 6 3 Weight: 170 Hometown: Kingsland, GA Number: 09 Name: Taylor Ferringer Weight: 160 Hometown: Macon, GA Number: RS1 Name: Sam Goberdhan B/T: L/L Weight: 175 Hometown: Adel, GA Number: 05 Name: Kendall Herron Hometown: Panama City, FL Number: 06 Name: Mike Huggins Height: 5 9 Weight: 180 Hometown: Savannah, GA Number: 27 Name: Cody Ilgenfritz Height: 5 8 Weight: 150 Hometown: Kingsland, GA
Number: 13 Name: Trey Johnson Weight: 190 Hometown: Tallahassee, FL Number: 29 Name: Josh Lawhon Weight: 145 Hometown: Richmond Hill, GA Darton State College Cavaliers 2015 Number: 04 Name: Rabon Martin B/T: L/L Hometown: Dallas, GA Number: 20 Name: Dylan Price Weight: 155 Hometown: Buena Vista, GA Number: 19 Name: T.J. Roberts Hometown: Leesburg, GA Number: 24 Name: Luis Salas Height: 5 8 Weight: 180 Hometown: Santo Domingo, DR Number: 31 Name: Grant McDonald Weight: 170 Hometown: Bainbridge, GA Number: 17 Name: Tyler Morris Height: 6 3 Weight: 195 Hometown: Middleburg, FL Number: 08 Name: Austin Peigh Weight: 190 Hometown: Guyton, GA Number: 10 Name: Sterling Sharp Height: 6 4 Weight: 175 Hometown: Livonia, MI Number: 14 Name: Taylor Smith Hometown: Franklin, GA Number: 15 Name: Max Thomas B/T: L/L Weight: 210 Hometown: Eastonollee, GA
Number: 23 Name: Colton Thomas B/T: L/R Weight: 195 Hometown: Prattville, AL Number: 01 Name: Tavin Thompson Hometown: Hogansville, GA We Appreciate Our Cavalier Baseball Sponsors!
2015 Darton State College Cavalier Baseball Schedule 01/30 Gulf Coast @ Panama City, FL 11:00 AM EST 01/30 Tallahassee CC @ Panama City, FL 1:30 PM EST 01/31 Tallahassee CC @ Panama City, FL 4:00 PM EST 01/31 Gulf Coast @ Panama City, FL 6:30 PM EST 02/06 Central Alabama @ Albany, GA 3:00 PM DH 02/07 Wallace Dothan @ Albany, GA 1:00 PM DH 02/10 Southern Union @ Wadley, AL 2:00 PM EST DH 02/13 Volunteer State @ Albany, GA 6:00 PM 02/14 Southern Union @ Albany, GA 1:00 PM 02/14 Volunteer State @ Albany, GA 6:00 PM 02/15 Volunteer State @ Albany, GA 12:00 PM 02/18 Thomas University @ Albany, GA 4:00 PM 02/21 Central Alabama @ Alexander City, AL 1:00 PM EST DH 02/23 Northwest Florida @ Troy, Al 3:30 PM EST 02/24 Chipola @ Albany, GA 5:00 PM 02/27 Gulf Coast @ Albany, GA 3:00 PM 03/03 Gordon College @ Barnesville, GA 5:00 PM 03/05 Gordon College @ Albany, GA 5:00 PM 03/06 Lake Michigan @ Albany, GA 6:00 PM 03/07 Gordon College @ Albany, GA 1:00 PM DH 03/10 East Georgia @ Swainsboro, GA 2:00 PM 03/13 East Georgia @ Albany, GA 6:00 PM 03/14 East Georgia @ Albany, GA 1:00 PM DH 03/17 South Georgia College @ Albany, GA 6:00 PM 03/19 South Georgia College @ Douglas, GA 6:00 PM 03/21 South Georgia College @ Douglas, GA 1:00 PM DH 03/24 West Georgia Tech @ Douglasville, GA 2:00 PM 03/25 Brewton Parker @ Albany, GA 4:00 PM 03/27 West Georgia Tech @ Albany, GA 4:00 PM 03/28 West Georgia Tech @ Albany, GA 1:00 PM DH 03/31 Georgia Highlands @ Albany, GA 5:00 PM 04/03 Georgia Highlands @ Cartersville, GA 6:00 PM 04/04 Georgia Highlands @ Cartersville, GA 2:00 PM DH 04/07 Andrew College @ Albany, GA 6:00 PM 04/08 Thomas University @ Thomasville, GA 4:00 PM 04/10 Andrew College @ Cuthbert, GA 3:00 PM 04/11 Andrew College @ Cuthbert, GA 1:00 PM DH 04/14 ABAC @ Albany, GA 5:00 PM 04/16 ABAC @ Tifton, GA 6:00 PM 04/18 ABAC @ Tifton, GA 1:00 PM DH 04/21 Georgia Perimeter @ Albany, GA 5:00 PM 04/24 Georgia Perimeter @ Covington, GA 6:00 PM 04/25 Georgia Perimeter @ Covington, GA 1:00 PM DH 05/06-05/09 GCAA Tournament @ Albany, GA Andy Christo Agent (229) 888-0007