Radford University is ready for another season on the diamond. Today, we break down the team’s roster as today we look to the outfield.
The Highlanders return four outfielders that started 30-plus games in the field and in the designated hitter role. Radford will have plenty of depth, sporting a roster with seven outfielders and only two seniors at the position. Radford ranked fifth in the Big South with a .960 fielding percentage, recording a second-best 1,558 putouts. The Highlander outfield recorded four assists a season ago.
“We have four guys that bring a lot of foot speed, which allows us to cover a lot of ground in the outfield,” said head coach Joe Raccuia. “Defense is our motto and that starts with speed in the outfield.”
Luke Wise returns in his centerfield spot, starting 50-plus games in the last two seasons and committing only three errors in 289 chances. Wise finished with a career best .238 average in 2017, driving in a career-high 20 RBIs. The redshirt senior has provided some pop at the top of the order with nine home runs over the two-season span. Wise’s speed in the outfield has shown on the base paths with 18 steals in 25 chances.
“He’s one of the better defenders that I have been around. I want him to take the next step at the plate,” Raccuia noted. “It’s never been about how he puts the ball in play, it’s just putting the ball in play and letting his speed do the rest.”
Serving as an everyday player since his freshman season, junior Adam Whitacre looks to build off momentum gained during 2017. A season ago, Whitacre turned in a .268 average, which was fourth best on the team. Batting in a number of holes in the order, Whitacre collected 51 hits and scored 32 runs. Finishing with 20 RBIs, Whitacre had 10 extra base hits. He has three outfield assists over the last two seasons, committing only six errors in 137 chances.
“He’s just a baseball player and a hard-nosed kid,” Raccuia added. “Adam competes on both sides of the baseball and it’s easy to make a lineup with him in there, because you know the effort he gives on a daily basis.”
Making the transition from the infield to the outfield, Carlin Christian could work his way into the Highlander lineup after serving as a primary pinch runner during the 2017 season. Christian provides Raccuia a speedy, sure-handed outfielder that has yet to reach his potential.
“This move has freed up his athleticism and taken some pressure off of him. We think it has turned him into a really good baseball player, he just needs to get at bats early in the season,” Raccuia said. “I do believe we have a centerfielder of the future. He’s not far behind Luke in his defensive abilities.”
Richard De la Cruz appeared in 45 games as a freshman, starting 31, primarily in right field. Turning in a .229 batting clip in his first collegiate season, De la Cruz was one of four Highlanders with 10-plus doubles.
“Richard has great speed and is still developing his skills,” Raccuia added. “He provides us a bat on both sides of the plate.”
Finally getting to suit up for the Highlanders after sitting out the 2017 season due to transfer rules, Concord University transfer Andrew Szamkski is ready for his first NCAA Division I action. Szamski hit .355 with 129 hits, 26 doubles, seven triples, four home runs and 110 RBIs in 102 career games for Concord. After driving in 72 RBIs during his freshman season in 2015, Szamski was named Mountain East Freshman of the Year and a ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Second Team honoree.
“Andy will provide us with some middle of the order type of at bats and drive in runs,” Raccuia said. “He has the physicality to put up big offensive numbers.”
Rounding out the Highlander outfielders, senior Anthony Miano and sophomore Cody Schneider are working their way back from offseason surgeries. Miano started 34 games in 2017, primarily in left field, finishing with a .241 clip and 21 RBIs. Schneider started 13 games before missing the rest of the season with a wrist injury.
–RU Athletics
