With arguably the most talented team Mobile had ever assembled last season, any goal short of a return trip to the NAIA World Series wasn’t in the cards.  However, even with a very deep pitching rotation, senior leadership and a single-season homerun record of 15 by Josh Kendrick, the Rams were unable to put it all together and advance to Lewiston, Idaho for the NAIA World Series.

“Last year, we were very talented, in fact, we probably had one of the most talented teams that we’ve ever had here,” said UM Head baseball Coach Mike Jacobs.  “That team was every bit as talented as the team that went to the World Series in 2001; it just didn’t happen for us.”

This season, the Rams would love to go back to the World Series like the team in 2001 but also realize it will take a lot of smaller steps and less big ones. 

“Before the season starts, I like to sit down with our team and tell our players to make a lineup,” said Jacobs. 

Coach Jacobs wants to know what his players are thinking and what’s going through their minds before a season begins.  After that, he’ll tell them to set individual and team goals for the upcoming season.

“I want them to shoot for high goals, but I also want them to be achievable,” added Jacobs.

This year’s squad returns seven seniors from a team that went 35-22 and advanced to regionals just one year ago.  The pitching staff could be deeper than last year even having lost all three weekend starters.  Up and down the lineup, it’s hard to find a weakness and the offense is surely going to put up some big numbers.  On paper, this team looks like a team capable of making a run at the World Series.

“We are going to be a very talented team this year, but I don’t know if we are as deep as we were last year,” said Jacobs. 

Without the depth the team possessed last season, one little injury could be a huge setback for the team.

“I’m a little concerned about injuries because we don’t have as much talent coming off the bench like we did last year,” said Jacobs.  “However, I think the chemistry is good again and to me chemistry is huge.

Coach Jacobs believes this year’s team has some of that same chemistry the 2001 team did.

“I believe chemistry was the key then,” said Jacobs.  “They enjoyed being around each other, they pulled for each other.  So far, we have that and hopefully it will carry through the season.”

Roaming the outfield for the Rams this season will be the rotation of Paul Kerger, Tim Watson, Joel Jernigan, Carnell Parker and Ron McMillan. 

Coming back this season after having to sit out last year because of shoulder surgery will be Paul Kerger. 

“He’s probably one of the best hitters in our league,” said Jacobs.  “The best way I know to describe him would just be to say that he is an extraordinary hitter.  He should hit between .370 and .400 without any problem.”

Last season, when Kerger was injuried, Tim Watson stepped in as Kerger’s replacement at catcher.

“I didn’t even know he could catch but then we found out he could and he did a very good job for us,” said Jacobs. 

This year, Watson will be moved back into the outfield where he should feel a little more comfortable as well as see a little more playing time.

“He was the guy we went to last year off the bench when we needed a hit, our pinch-hitter,” said Jacobs.  “He’ll do some more of that this year and spend a little time in leftfield.”     

Unable to participate last season because of a red-shirt, Joel Jernigan will return to a lineup where he will be needed to make up some of the power the team lost in the graduation of single-season homerun record holder, Josh Kendrick. 

“Jernigan will play in the outfield for us this season and has some very good power,” said Jacobs. 

In the fall of 2002, Jernigan was probably the best hitter on the team but was forced to redshirt in the spring of 2003. 

“Now, he can play centerfield and we’re hoping he can supply us with some of those homeruns that Kendrick hit for us last year,” said Jacobs.

Carnell Parker may possess the most speed of any player that has ever worn the maroon and white at Mobile.  

“He ran a legitimate 6.43 (60-yard dash) for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays when they were out here this past fall,” said Jacobs of Parker’s speed.  “The scouts that have been out here go to him immediately because of his speed.  He can just absolutely fly.” 

Far above Parker’s speed is his work ethic according to coach Jacobs. 

“We’ve been blessed with kids that love to work and in this case, all you have to do is tell him what to go work on and he’s already headed where you wanted him to go.  If he has a good year, he has a legitimate chance of being drafted.  The scouts like him that much because of his speed and potential,” said Jacobs. 

Finally, Ron McMillan will see some time in the outfield as well; that is, whenever he’s not throwing strikes across home plate from the mound.

“He’s a dual threat for us,” said Jacobs.  “In the outfield, he probably has the best arm on our team.  We need to get his bat going though.  He didn’t swing the bat as well in the fall as he did last spring, so that’s something we’ve been working with him on, but he’s certainly got a cannon from the outfield.”

With this year’s team not being as deep as in seasons past, coach Jacobs is pretty sure he knows how the infield will look come opening day.  Going around the horn starting at third base is Jud McWain. 

“He’s another guy that we’re counting on to pick up some of the homerun slack this season,” said Jacobs. 

Coming out of high school, McWain hit 15 homeruns at UMS Wright.  Last year, as just a sophomore, he hit four for the Rams. 

“We’re expecting him to pick that pace up,” added Jacobs.  “He hits the ball a lot like Kendrick (Josh) but not quite with the same power.  However, he’s still just a junior.  We’re expecting big things out of this kid.”

Staying at his natural position of shortstop will be senior Ricardo Rolle. 

“Ricardo is probably one of the best athletes on our ball club,” said Jacobs. 

Rolle started all 57 games last season at shortstop for the Rams and hit .390 to go along with 30 RBI. 

“He’s a tremendous young man and has been an excellent student,” said Jacobs.  “He didn’t miss a game last year.  I can’t say enough good things about this kid.”

Stepping in at second base this season for the Rams will be senior Ricky Smith. 

Smith did it all last season for the Rams being used primarily as a utility infielder.

“He’s a coach’s dream,” said Jacobs.  “He comes in and works hard and never complains.  He always wants to know what he can do to get better.”

Digging balls out of the dirt at first base will senior Raul Santana.

Last season, Santana was one of three Rams to hit at .400 or better checking in right at .400.  Santana, was also second on the team in slugging at .569, due in large part to his new single season record of 26 doubles.

“Again, like Kerger, he’s probably one of the two best hitters in the league,” said Jacobs of Santana’s hitting ability.  “He only hit one homerun, but he’s another guy that’s just going to absolutely wear the gaps out.”

Calling the signals behind the plate will be senior Seth Naugle. 

“This is Seth’s fourth year and he is a very, very good catcher,” said Jacobs.  “He does a very good job of handling pitchers.  He has swung the bat extremely well this fall and has a very good arm.  He is one of the best catchers we’ve ever had in this program and so we know he will do a good job for us.”

Having lost all three weekend starters from a year ago, coach Jacobs knows that finding the perfect combination of pitchers may be his toughest test this season. 

John Price, a left-handed pitcher from La Place, La., will more than likely be the Rams number one ace this season.  Price, a hard-throwing lefty will be making a move from the closers roll into the starting rotation.

“He has a good chance to get drafted if he can have a good season,” said Jacobs.  “We’ve had several scouts out here this fall that like him.” 

Standing at 6’2”, 215 pounds, Price’s intimidating frame could have UM opponents buckling at the knees. 

“He throws really hard,” said Jacobs.  “His fastball is really good, but more importantly, he also has a nasty breaking ball.”

Filling in the other two weekend spots left available this season will be senior transfer Danny Arroyo and junior Beau Wiggins.

Maybe one of the fastest pitchers Mobile has is the hard-throwing machine from Morgan City, La., Beau Wiggins. 

“He’s a very hard thrower and has been clocked on his fastball at 90-91 mph,” said Jacobs.  “His breaking ball breaks from 12 to 6.  He’s had a good fall and I think that he’s not quite where he’s going to end up right now, but we are still expecting good things from him.”

Danny Arroyo, a senior transfer from Texas, expects to be the other weekend starter in the Rams 2004 rotation.

“I’ve been very pleased with his work ethic,” said Jacobs.  “He has steadily improved ever since he got here.  When he came back from Christmas this year, he had lost a lot of weight and so that showed he had been working hard over the holidays.  Every time he has gone out in scrimmages, he has gotten better.”

Working from the bullpen this season will be the combination of John Barrow, Jarrod Stubbs, Chris Copland and Leland Howard.   

Returning to his role from a year ago as the Rams set up guy will be senior John Barrow.

“John has been one of our most consistent pitchers,” said Jacobs. 

Last year, the Rams used Barrow as their set up guy and he was the first guy out of the bullpen.  Whenever the team got in a bind, he was the guy the team went to. 

“If we got a lead, he would come in and keep it for us,” said Jacobs.  “Sometimes we would be behind, but he would come in and close the door and get us to where we could possibly win the game later.”

While Barrow could be used as a weekday starter this season, it’s Barrow’s toughness coming out of the bullpen that coach Jacobs loves most.

“He’s earned the opportunity to be a starter,” said Jacobs.  “However, if we can’t find someone who can step in and fill his shoes, then we may have to bring him back to the bullpen to be our set up guy.”

Battling for the closer’s role and a spot in the weekday rotation will be junior’s Leland Howard and Chris Copland.

Copland hopes his unique throwing style will win him a spot on the mound.   

“Chris is a submarine pitcher, a true submarine pitcher,” said coach Jacobs.  “The ball just runs and moves so much.  We can’t decide if we are going to use him as a starter or as our closer, but he will definitely see the mound a lot this year. 

According to coach Jacobs, although he’s only a junior, Leland Howard has a chance to potentially be one of the best pitchers to ever come out of this program.

“He has a lot of tools and abilities,” said Jacobs.  “We can’t decide whether to use him as a closer or a weekday starter.  He needs to get a little tougher, mentally, especially if he’s going to be a closer.  He’s probably going to be a big force for us this year and we need him to be that.” 

Coming into the 2004 season as just a freshman, Jarrod Stubbs from just down the road in Satsuma, Ala., will be looked upon for a lot of innings out of the bullpen in just his first season.

“He’s had a very good fall and thrown the ball as well as we could have expected and maybe better than we expected,” said Jacobs.  “If he throws the ball this spring like he did last fall, he’s going to be a very good player for us.”

While coach Jacobs feels this team isn’t as deep as last year’s, the talent is still there.  Backing up the infield and giving the starters a much needed rest, will be the combination play of J.C. Santana, Josh Banashak, T.J. Esfeller, and Brandon Speese. 

J.C. Santana, the brother of Raul, comes in as a freshman this season and while his inexperience may prevent him from playing in the infield, coach Jacobs knows he will not be able to keep his bat out of the lineup for too long.

“He swings the bat really, really well,” said Jacobs.  “He plays second base but will probably do more for us in a DH role this season.” 

So far, in just a few intersquad scrimmages, the Rams pitching staff has been unable to get him out in six at bats.  With two doubles and four RBI, coach Jacobs feels as though the kid is on fire. 

“As I said, he can really swing the bat and will probably just DH because he is so young,” said Jacobs.

John Banashak, a junior from Bay St. Louis, Miss., will be used in a utility role this season.  He can play every position in the infield and can even play a little outfield if needed. 

“If our shortstop or second baseman needs a break or rest for the day, he will be the guy we put in there,” said Jacobs.  “Defensively, he is very, very sound.  He needs to get a little stronger in the weight room so that he can have a little more pop in his bat.”

T.J. Esfeller will be one of the youngest guys on the team this year but is one of the few younger guys with a chance to contribute this season.

“He runs well and can play both the infield and outfield,” said Jacobs of the freshman. 

While Esfeller is only 5’6”, 150 pounds, he’s very strong for his size. 

“It’s just so tough for high school kids to come in and compete, it doesn’t happen much,” said Jacobs.  “However, I really think he has a chance to be a good player here.”

Finally, Brandon Speese is another freshman coming into this season hoping to find a little playing time in his first year with the Rams.

“He has done pretty well for a high school graduate just coming into the program,” said Jacobs.  “He’s a good kid that works hard.  He doesn’t mind coming in early and staying late and that’s what it’s going to take for a kid to come in and contribute right away.”

After breaking ground less than a year ago for a new state of the art press box that would include a baseball office for the coaches, a concession stand and restrooms, coach Jacobs feels that this a special time to be a part of the UM baseball program.

“This is my fifteenth year and we’ve done some small things to upgrade our facility but up until last year when we had the new stadium seats put in, that was our first really big thing we’ve done,” said Jacobs.

“Now, we’re pouring the slab for this new building and I think it’s going to show kids that we’re moving forward and not just sitting there.  It’s really exciting to me because these are some things that we’ve needed for a long, long time and haven’t been able to financially afford it.”

It’s also an exciting time for coach Jacobs this season because he will be chasing a very exclusive milestone, his 500^th win.

“Five hundred wins will be great because it’s a milestone that every head coach wants to achieve,” said Jacobs.  “It means that you’ve been successful up to some point.”

However, it’s not the wins that keep coach Jacobs coming back year after year.  If you ask him, he’s more interested in the athletes he coaches and how much a part of their life he becomes.

“The thing that’s most rewarding for me is when a kid comes back and sits down in my office and expresses to me that he had a great experience here,” said Jacobs. 

“Or maybe it was that we helped him become a better person or a better Christian.  I’ve had guys come back in here and tell me that they were saved because we had some influence on their lives.  Obviously, I would love to get that 500^th win sometime this spring but those things I just talked about are the most rewarding.”

For coach Jacobs to obtain that elusive record this season, he will need to win 28 games. 

The sooner those 28 wins come, the better chance his team has of realizing the goal that every team in America sets at the beginning of their season, a trip to the World Series. 

“I always try to tell them to be realistic when setting their team goals,” said Jacobs.  “The sky isn’t always the limit.  It’s easy to say, we want to go to the World Series.  Yeah, we’ve been there before and yes this team has the potential.  You just never know.”