Photo by: DJ Shafer
Bearkat Baseball 2020 Preview: Outfield
2/10/2020 8:41:00 AM | Baseball
Returners: Eric Bohnert, Colton Cowser
Newcomers: Blake Faecher, Bryce Holmes, Clayton Chadwick
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HUNTSVILLE – The Bearkats may have said farewell to a few pieces of the outfield, but with one of the nation's top players and a slew of talented newcomers now in the fold, the Sam Houston State outfield could be one of the team's strengths in 2020.
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Toward the end of 2019 the Bearkats had had settled in on an trio of Clayton Harp, Colton Cowser and Jack Rogers, three left-handed bats who all were able to cover ground in the outfield; however, with Harp's graduation and Rogers' likely shift to first base, there were some holes to be filled around Cowser for this year.
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Still, the super sophomore will be one of the Bearkats' headliners entering 2020 after a freshman season that saw him immediately establish himself as one of the top players in the nation. He was named the Southland Conference's Hitter of the Year after hitting .361 with seven homers and 54 RBI, finishing with 31 total extra-base hits last year.
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He parlayed that into a spot on the USA Collegiate National team as the youngest player on the roster, even winning MVP of the USA/Cuba series before taking part in international series in Taiwan and Japan.
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This year he has already been named to multiple preseason all-America teams and will undoubtedly command the attention of other teams as he enters his sophomore season.
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Still, the Bearkat coaching staff was able to add in pieces around Cowser that should give Sam Houston a formidable outfield corps in 2020. Fellow Cy Ranch product Eric Bohnert is the only other Bearkat outfielder back from a year ago and could play a big role this season with a pair of spots up for grabs.
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A right-handed bat who handles the bat well, Bohnert has been one of the most reliable defensive outfielders that SHSU has had over the last two years. The Kats also brought in another right-handed power bat in Blake Faecher, a former Cy Fair HS product who started off at Louisiana before making his way to Blinn College.
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Faecher brings not only athleticism to the outfield, but a powerful bat that should fit nicely into the middle of the Bearkat order, complimenting the Kats offensive wealth from the left side.
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The Kats have a few others who could be used in the outfield in a pinch, but will likely look to freshman Clayton Chadwick and junior transfer Bryce Holmes to fill in the other spots. Both hit from the left side and in addition to being highly-anticipated additions to the roster for 2020, have the versatility to play both in the outfield or in the infield.
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Chadwick joins the Kats after leading La Vernia HS to the state tournament in 2019 and has the athleticism and ability to slide in near the top of the Bearkat lineup from the very start. Meanwhile, Holmes also made an appearance in the state tournament during his prep days at Big Sandy HS and comes to the Kats after being a middle-of-the-order threat for Cisco College last year, hitting 10 home runs and 18 doubles to go with 43 RBI that won 30 games a year ago.
Newcomers: Blake Faecher, Bryce Holmes, Clayton Chadwick
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HUNTSVILLE – The Bearkats may have said farewell to a few pieces of the outfield, but with one of the nation's top players and a slew of talented newcomers now in the fold, the Sam Houston State outfield could be one of the team's strengths in 2020.
Â
Toward the end of 2019 the Bearkats had had settled in on an trio of Clayton Harp, Colton Cowser and Jack Rogers, three left-handed bats who all were able to cover ground in the outfield; however, with Harp's graduation and Rogers' likely shift to first base, there were some holes to be filled around Cowser for this year.
Â
Still, the super sophomore will be one of the Bearkats' headliners entering 2020 after a freshman season that saw him immediately establish himself as one of the top players in the nation. He was named the Southland Conference's Hitter of the Year after hitting .361 with seven homers and 54 RBI, finishing with 31 total extra-base hits last year.
Â
He parlayed that into a spot on the USA Collegiate National team as the youngest player on the roster, even winning MVP of the USA/Cuba series before taking part in international series in Taiwan and Japan.
Â
This year he has already been named to multiple preseason all-America teams and will undoubtedly command the attention of other teams as he enters his sophomore season.
Â
Still, the Bearkat coaching staff was able to add in pieces around Cowser that should give Sam Houston a formidable outfield corps in 2020. Fellow Cy Ranch product Eric Bohnert is the only other Bearkat outfielder back from a year ago and could play a big role this season with a pair of spots up for grabs.
Â
A right-handed bat who handles the bat well, Bohnert has been one of the most reliable defensive outfielders that SHSU has had over the last two years. The Kats also brought in another right-handed power bat in Blake Faecher, a former Cy Fair HS product who started off at Louisiana before making his way to Blinn College.
Â
Faecher brings not only athleticism to the outfield, but a powerful bat that should fit nicely into the middle of the Bearkat order, complimenting the Kats offensive wealth from the left side.
Â
The Kats have a few others who could be used in the outfield in a pinch, but will likely look to freshman Clayton Chadwick and junior transfer Bryce Holmes to fill in the other spots. Both hit from the left side and in addition to being highly-anticipated additions to the roster for 2020, have the versatility to play both in the outfield or in the infield.
Â
Chadwick joins the Kats after leading La Vernia HS to the state tournament in 2019 and has the athleticism and ability to slide in near the top of the Bearkat lineup from the very start. Meanwhile, Holmes also made an appearance in the state tournament during his prep days at Big Sandy HS and comes to the Kats after being a middle-of-the-order threat for Cisco College last year, hitting 10 home runs and 18 doubles to go with 43 RBI that won 30 games a year ago.
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