The 2004-05 season dawns with high expectations for the Chattanooga State baseball team. Following a very successful 28-28 season under 2nd year head coach Greg Dennis, the current squad is looking deeper and more talented than last year Tiger team.

Pitchers
This is the one area where the Tigers return the most sophomores from last season. Derek Brewer ( So. RHP 3-5, 63 IP, 5.54 ) and Will Spann ( So. RHP 5-5, 66 IP, 4.91 ) are the headlining returners along with Chris Combs ( So. LHP 4-4 ), Daniel Hackett ( So. RHP 2-1 ), Adam Cross ( So. RHP 1-0 ), Bryan Tapley ( So. RHP red-shirt ), Jeff Stoker ( So. LHP 1-1 ). Along with these returning sophomores is a fine class of freshmen twirlers. Coleman McKellar comes in from Cheatham County HS and has shown strong abilities. Scott Zurcher arrived from South Doyle HS and Adam Knight is a strong right hander from local high school, Ridgeland. Paul Davis, a right hander from McMinn County HS and round out the group. One of the really encouraging things about this group is the work done this fall by pitching coach, Jeff Steele. The groups ERA was over 1.5 runs lower than last year.

Catchers
This is an area where depth from last year has been greatly increased. Columbus State University-transfer and Northwest Whitfield HS graduate Bucky Strickland has come in and done a great job behind the plate.

Infield
At first base returner Aaron Simmons is stationed. A strong left handed hitter who batted nearly .290 last spring. He is an outstanding defensive player. Aaron graduated from Sequatchie County HS.
At second base is another returner, Chad Cunningham. Chad came in at mid-term last year and red shirted due to injury. He played 10 games and was hitting over .380 when hurt. Chad graduated from William Blount High School.
Shortstop is being manned by Tyler Champion from Thomson High School in Georgia. He is a solid fielding, left handed hitting shortstop. Steven Simmons, Jr. is fighting with Champion for playing time and arrived here from Ocala, Florida where he played for North Marion High School. He is also a left handed hitter who can play third base too.
There is a battle going on at third base, where Matt Glass, freshman from Eagles Landing High School in Georgia and Aaron Hookman, freshman from Knoxville West High School are fighting for playing time. Both enjoyed success’ this fall and are strong defensively and aggressive at the plate.

Outfield
In the outfield there has also been intense battling for positions. Adam Cross, a sophomore who was voted 2nd team All Conferenc/All Region last year, is looking to move to right field and carry his .390 average there from last year . A.J. Renfrow from Carrollton High School in Georgia is trying to “stake his claim” to centerfield. Renfrow had an outstanding fall where he hit well over .400.  Dustin Millaway, a freshman from McMinn County High School and Andy Simunic, a freshman from Collierville High School are also competing for corner spots and hitting time as well.

Overall
This team has a nice blend of speed and power and hits well from both sides of the plate. They have the potential to be a very solid offensive club with a blending of sophomores and freshmen in the lineup. Defensively, the speed and depth should provide for good competition and a chance to be very strong. The pitching is going to be where we have to show our maturity and develop the confidence necessary to contend with the quality competition we will be facing.