2018 POSITION PREVIEW: INFIELDERS

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RADFORD, Va. – The Road to Omaha is set to begin on Friday and RadfordAthletics.com will breakdown the defending Big South Champions by infield, outfield and battery in the coming days to prepare fans for the 2018 season.

The Highlanders return all four starting infielders as well as two utility players with starting experience from the 2017 championship season. Radford ranked fifth in the Big South with a .960 fielding percentage, recording a second best 1,558 putouts. The Highlanders turned 43 double plays, which finished tied for fifth in the league.

Radford's starting infield consists of each a redshirt junior, junior, redshirt sophomore and sophomore. The four positions possess a player with a full season of starting experience, which can prove to be very vital in the dog days of the Big South schedule.

"We have five returners that had quality at bats and started a lot of games last season, while gaining postseason experience. This group defends the field well and plays with energy," said head coach Joe Raccuia. "They know what our expectations are and the priority is defense within in our program. This group can be offensive; however, they really take pride in their defense."

Sophomore Spencer Horwitz returns at first base after earning Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American, Big South Second Team and All-Big South Tournament honors a season ago. Horwitz led the squad with a .311 average, while finishing with 64 hits and 35 runs scored. Horwitz slugged eight home runs, with six coming in conference play as the eight homers were the most by a Highlander freshman since 2006.

In addition to his 34 RBIs and 11 doubles, Horwitz had to learn how to play first base as he served as a catcher throughout high school. In 57 games, Horwitz committed only four errors in 442 chances, finishing with a team best .991 fielding percentage.

"Spencer had a great year as a freshman, but needs to continue to develop," Raccuia added. "The sophomore season can be very challenging as opposing teams learn how to pitch to you and Spencer will adapt to making those adjustments."

With only 15 games started in his career, second baseman Kyle Butler was inserted into the lineup as shortstop Colby Higgerson went down with a season-ending knee injury in the third game of the 2017 season. The Big South second teamer started 54 games; leading the team with 70 hits, 48 runs and 13 doubles. Finishing third with 33 RBIs, Butler was 8 for 9 on the base paths.

Defensively, Butler committed only six errors in 223 chances for a .973 fielding percentage, while aiding in 28 of Radford's 43 double plays.

"Kyle just needs to be Kyle," Raccuia stated. "He provides us a steady presence at the top of the order and even in the middle of the order."

Playing alongside Danny Hrbek at shortstop, Butler receives a new double play partner as Higgerson is set to return to his normal position. Higgerson started all 58 games as a freshman in 2016, finishing with a .267 average and 55 hits. The redshirt sophomore set the program record with 16 sac bunts, while driving in 28 runs on nine extra base hits.

Starting the first three games of 2017, Higgerson was 1 for 7 with his lone hit coming as a two-run home run. In addition to his role as the captain of the infield, Higgerson will serve as the Highlanders' closer.

"Colby simply has not received enough at bats with him missing last season. He's starting to take quality plate appearances during preseason," Raccuia said. "He has shown that he can handle the bat and put the ball in play."

Matt Roth started all 59 games during the 2017 season, serving as the Highlanders everyday third baseman. The junior finished with a .253 average, 57 hits and 20 RBIs. Roth strung together a 23-game on-base streak and 11-game hitting streak during the season.

Clayton Baine appeared in 33 games, starting in 25 of them as the sophomore served in a variety of roles during the 2017 season. Baine served as the primary shortstop on Saturdays, while Hrbek was on the mound. Baine finished with a .222 average as nine of his 18 hits came via the extra base variety. In only 81 at bats, Baine led the team with 11 hit by pitches.

"Matt and Clayton provide a lot of upside," Raccuia added. "They are starting to learn how to slow down their play and continue to slow down at bats."

Redshirt sophomore Mason Scoville provided depth at the corner infield spots a season ago, while freshmen Luke Belanger and Mark Engel give Raccuia more depth in the infield.

"We had a very athletic infield in 2015 and I think this year's infield has a chance to hit with a little more power," Raccuia noted. "Back in the day with Jeff Kemp, Brett Mollenhauer, Matt Mack and Josh Gardiner in the field, that's probably the best defensive infield we've had. I think this group compares with them in regards to ability level."

Stay tuned for the outfield preview on Tuesday and battery preview on Wednesday. The week will conclude with a season preview on Thursday.

Radford opens the 2018 season on Friday at North Florida. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.

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