TRU WOLFPACK

2008 Season Preview

The TRU WolfPack are the current Canadian College Baseball Conference Champions. They walked through the championship tournament in Lethbridge undefeated. The boys of spring graduated some cornerstone and key role players at the conclusion of the 2007 CCBC Championships in May. Sure handed three bagger Tanner Brotzel (Regina, Sask.), power pitcher Nathan French (London, Ont.), starting backstop Paul Wourms (Kamloops, BC), speedster Dwight Liburd (Toronto, Ont.), clutch bat Geoff Fahlman (Prince George, BC), utility guy Duaine Bowles, (Toronto, Ont.), and the workhorse of the staff Frank Ingram (Penticton, BC) all rode of into the sunset as champions.

In addition, the ‘Pack lost another player to another form of graduation. After playing two years in Michigan, Adam Arnold (London, Ont.) joined the WolfPack to expand his game under Ray Chadwick’s umbrella. His search for the Holy Grail for an amateur baseball player ended when the Milwaukee Brewers took Adam in the 41st round of the Major League Baseball Entry Draft.

To prove their reputation as the team to beat, TRU repeated the same winning performance at the Thanksgiving Day Fall Classic and eventually finished the fall 17-1. The bonus is that the WolfPack did this with their newest roster.

With that said, this years Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Baseball team is by no means needy. Equipped with a strong nucleus of players from last year’s championship squad and a couple of new editions, this year’s team should be a force yet again in the CCBC.

Freshman home grown middle infielder, Adam Halland (Kamloops, BC), has already showed that he can step in at any time and fill in on a very crowded WolfPack infield during the fall. Nic Miskin, last years PBL pitcher of the year, has proven to be a formidable addition to the ‘Pack’s rotation. This year’s rookie class has a little southern flavour with the acquisition of first baseman Dillon Morgan (Camp Verde, AZ), who has showed poise beyond his years hitting in the middle of the WolfPack order. Newcomers Jordan Roy, a freshman (Prince George, BC), and the solid senior transfer from the Kwantlen Eagles, Jeff Paz (Surrey, BC), will add some power and stability to an already potent offence.

Then there are the usual suspects: the past 3 MVP award recipients. Steady bat senior Anthony Cros (Montpellier, France), senior lead off guy Torrie Watters (White Rock, BC), and all-around threat, senior centerfielder Alex Ponich (Penticton, BC). Junior ace Matt Bannister looks to head a staff with some familiar arms and some new faces. Sophomore Kyle Dhanani (Blaine, Washington) looks to continue his steady play from last year’s championship run. Big man Ben Bradford (Kamloops, BC) looks to be a force in the middle of the TRU line up. The back end of the bullpen will be anchored by senior closer Lee Ingram. Along with Jeff Paz coach Ray Chadwick has been quoted saying that he is “looking for great things” from these characters that make up the nucleus of the team.

Coach Chadwick said that he was impressed with the improvements of some players and is excited to see what players like sophomore timely bat Yoshi Nakamura (Yokohama, Japan), the ever improving senior Greg Shillington (London, Ont.), and the always consistent junior Bryan Mahon (Trail, BC) can bring to the table for the 2008 campaign.