CHARLESTON, S.C. – For only the third time in over a half a century, Citadel baseball begins a new era on Friday afternoon when the Bulldogs take the field under Head Coach Tony Skole.
 
The Bulldogs host George Mason at 4 p.m. in their season opener, part of the Charleston Crab House Challenge at Joe Riley Park. The Citadel also faces national-powerhouse Louisville, coached by Citadel alum Dan McDonnell and a teammate of Skole's on the 1990 Citadel College World Series team, and Richmond on the weekend.
 
CHARLESTON CRAB HOUSE CHALLENGE
JOE RILEY PARK – CHARLESTON, S.C. - CITADEL NOTES
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018
Noon - Richmond vs. Louisville
4 p.m. - The Citadel vs. George Mason
 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2018
11 a.m. - Richmond vs. George Mason
4 p.m. - The Citadel vs. Louisville
 
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2018
11 a.m. - George Mason vs. Louisville
3 p.m. - The Citadel vs. Richmond
 
The Bulldogs have a handful of seasoned veterans and All-SoCon candidates in the lineup, but the pitching staff and a number of key positons will feature a number new faces. With a new coach and a number of first-year players has come a new culture. One based on urgency, energy and attitude has been Skole's primary focus since practice started in September.
 
"Time has really sped up on us the last couple of months," Skole said this week. "I wish we had more time to prepare, but I am very excited for our players. They have worked extremely hard and I know they are excited to get out there and to compete. We still have a long way to go and there is still a large learning curve ahead for us. We're not a finished product, but I'm excited to see the energy and toughness that these players will bring to the stadium every day. They have been a fun group to coach."
 
Skole joins Chal Port and Fred Jordan as the only two coaches at the helm of The Citadel baseball since the 1960's, but he isn't short on familiarity with the program. He went to the College World Series with the Bulldogs in 1990 and has spent the last two decades in another Southern Conference dugout, winning almost 450 games at ETSU. Now, he takes over the reins at his alma mater, trying to restore the Bulldog program to its form that has led to 21 SoCon Championships.
 
"It has been so much fun being back at The Citadel and back in Charleston," Skole added. "I have had the opportunity to re-connect with many special people and begin many new relationships as well. Coming to work every day has been a blast. It has been a joy getting to know our players and witness their development over the past semester. Opening Day is always a special time of the year in college baseball and I'm sure Friday will be a great experience."
 
INFIELDERS
The Bulldogs boast one of the SoCon's more veteran infields. Seniors Jonathan Sabo (3B) and Will Kinney (SS) give The Citadel an experienced left side of the infield. Sabo is a Preseason All-SoCon selection after batting .299 with 60 hits and 10 home runs as a junior. Kinney started every game in '17 and was third on the team with 47 hits.
 
"I am very excited about Jonathon and Will," Skole said of his senior infielders. "I feel they are as good of a left side of an infield as there is in our league. We will lean on them heavily for production on both sides of the ball, but these two are poised and prepared to have big senior seasons."
 
Junior Ben Peden returns at first base, where he started 37 games last season before suffering a season-ending injury. He was on pace to challenge Sabo for the team lead in hits, doubles, and home runs. 
 
"Ben has as much power as anyone I've ever coached. We really need him to be a big-time run producer for us this season. He is a physical kid who is very athletic. If we can keep him healthy, then he will do some damage to opposing pitchers."
 
At second base, sophomore J.D. Davis started 49 games as a freshman with 26 hits and nine RBIs. He'll be pushed by freshman Michael Ray, Brooks O'Brien and Tilo Skole for playing time.
 
"Second base is a log jam right now. J.D. has the advantage because of his experience from last season.  He is a very athletic kid that if he can put it together he will do some nice things for us.  We have an excellent group of young infielders that will be ready if needed."
 
OUTFIELDERS
Junior Taylor Cothran is one of the leading bats returning to the Bulldogs' lineup after batting .260 with 52 hits and three home runs as a sophomore. He'll see time in right field. "Taylor has really developed under the tutelage of Coach Gershenfeld and Coach Cangelosi. He has worked extremely hard to put himself in a position to have a big senior season."
 
Jeffery Brown, Clay Martin, Cam Jensen, Andrew Judkins and Ryan McCarthy will battle it out for the other two outfield spots.
"We have great athleticism in our outfield. We will be able to be very versatile out there and work some favorable match-ups. Any of the remaining outfielders along with freshman Aidan Massey could see time in the DH position as well," Skole said of his outfield.
 
CATCHERS
Junior Cole Buffington and sophomore Bryce Leasure shared time last season behind the plate and will do so again in '18. Buffington started 25 games at catcher, while Leasure made 41 starts behind the plate and at designated hitter. They'll be relied upon to handle a young, but talented Bulldogs' pitching staff. They'll also be expected to contribute more offensively now that they each have at least a year of college ball under their belt. Leasure was fifth on the team with a .248 average and had 36 hits, while Buffington had 14 hits and a home run as a sophomore.
 
"I feel great about our catching situation," Skole said. "Both Bryce and Cole have developed nicely and we expect them to each play at a high level this season. It is comforting to have two guys back there and feel confident about both of them."
 
PITCHING STAFF
First-year pitching coach Blake Cooper has the challenged of molding a young staff that has talent, but is short on proven experience. The Bulldogs lost their top two weekend starters from a season ago, including SoCon Pitcher of the Year J.P. Sears to the MLB Draft.
 
Sophomore Dylan Spence will make his first career Friday start in the season opener on Friday when the Bulldogs face George Mason. Spence made 16 appearances as a freshman with one start. Sophomore lefthander Will Pillsbury will start the season as the Bulldogs' Saturday starter. Pillsbury made six starts as a freshman, and is The Citadel's most experienced returning starter. Thomas Byelick is a hard throwing right hander who will start on Sunday. Byelick threw 30 innings last season while notching 34 strikeouts.
 
"I'm excited about our pitching staff," Skole added. "Coach Cooper has done a great job with these young men. Their growth and development from day one to now has been astronomical. In our starting rotation, we will be able to run out some arm talent. I also feel very good about the depth and versatility of our bullpen.  You can never have enough pitching but I'm interested to see this group compete and pound the strike zone."
 
Sabo and fellow-senior Jordan Buster are the two key guys Skole expects to turn to close out games. Sabo had two saves last season, while Buster led the team with was 2-0 with four saves and had a 4.70 ERA in 31 appearances.
 
"Buster and Sabo will be the guys we will count on at the back end of games. Both of them possess wipe out stuff and give us a nice one-two punch back there."
 
A slew of talented arms will provide depth including Alex Bialakis, Jordan Merritt, Shane Connolly, Devin Beckley, Jack Henry Beasley, Zach Taglieri, Kyle Smith, Morgan Foulks and Hunter Barbee.
 
Smith led the group with 15 appearances last season and a 5.95 ERA.
 
-CitadelSports-