The 2008 Ashford University Saints baseball team is banking on the ability to rebound in 2008 under second year coach John Govek. The program welcomes 14 new players to a roster that, surprisingly, has no seniors. The Saints will overcome the lack of senior leadership with key returning players that gained important experience in 2007.

"We have made a big effort to increase our team speed this year," said Govek. "We have added a lot of athletic, versatile players to the program." Govek will rely on the returning players to mature the program's youthful roster. They don't have a veteran core of seniors to fall back on, but they do have the excitement of young players looking to make a mark for themselves. "These young guys have really energized the team and the coaching staff. Our team chemistry is great right now. Everyone is buying into the team concept."

Once again the Saints' baseball program will play a very difficult schedule. With schools like Lindenwood University, which is ranked 14^th in the NAIA preseason poll. Other quality non-conference opponents include: Bethel College (TN), Benedictine College (KS), Culver-Stockton (MO), Missouri Valley (MO), and Purdue North-Central (IN). "I have always believed in playing a challenging non-conference schedule. We need to prepare our kids to play in the very competitive MCC," said Govek.

To be successful this season the Saints will have to overcome several notable losses, including ace pitcher Roy Bringelson who led the MCC in innings pitched and strikeouts. Seven other seniors have left holes in Coach Govek's roster that he'll have to shore up with a plethora of new additions to the program. Key additions include Scott Schmitt, Adam Wojiechowski, and Brandon VanBlaricome. Schmitt, a Kishwaukee Community College transfer, will be asked to utilize his natural leadership skills and competitive nature. A quality defensive catcher with a strong arm, he possesses a great bat with surprising pop. Wojiechowski joins the Saints from a great high school program – La Salle – Peru – where he set a school record for home runs. A tremendous athlete, Wojo, as his teammates call him, is a very athletic individual who should be able to make a quick transition from high school to college. He should bring some much needed power to an AU lineup that recorded only six homeruns all of last year. VanBlaricome comes to Ashford by way of Bettendorf High School. A very versatile and intelligent player, he is able to play either of the middle infield positions. His biggest contribution may prove to be from the mound though, as he is an athlete with command of three good pitches. Other newcomers include Billy Becker, Austin Poindexter, Jake Peters, and Anthony Misitano. "I am excited about the direction the program is moving," said Govek.

A key to any team's success is its returning student-athletes, and the Saints have several who are expected to make a splash in '08. Leading the pack is junior Dustin Smith. "Smith is our top returning pitcher," said Govek. "He leads all returning pitchers with 56.1 innings pitched in '07. He has worked hard in the off-season to increase velocity and command and could be a really good pitcher for us if he can cut down on the amount of walks he allows. He is a smart pitcher and we are working hard on the mental side of Dustin's game," said Govek.

Junior JJ Suiter will bring some athleticism to the Saints' lineup this year as he is most likely the best all-around athlete on the team. Suiter led the team in batting average last season and has been asked to relinquish his starting shortstop position to play more of a utility role. "He will play some centerfield and some middle infield throughout the course of this upcoming season," said Govek. "Offensively, we want JJ to cut down on his strikeouts and to use his speed to become more of a base-stealing threat this year. He could be a scary offensive player when he learns to let the game come to him."

Brian Cummings, a third baseman and pitcher is "by far the smartest player in the Saints program," said Govek. A 2007 Academic All-American and Ashford University Student Athlete of the Year, Cummings plans to have a good year at the plate. Possessing some power, his ability to hit to all fields could prove to be his greatest asset. "We need Brian to be a big RBI guy for us this season," said Govek. "He needs to overcome putting a lot of unneeded pressure on himself to be successful."

Last year's part-time starting first baseman, Jake Steve, will make the transition from first base to right field this season for Govek. "Jake did a great job in the off-season to get his body ready to play the outfield. He's a big strong kid with a lot of passion and he has one of the strongest arms on the team and I felt we were wasting it at first base," said Govek. "The signing of Wojo to play first really allowed us to make the decision to move Jake."

Other key returners include Jake Handzus, Tyler Sukut, and Demetric Turner. "I'm excited for the upcoming season," added Govek. "It we play to our potential we could prove to be dangerous come tournament time."