Record-Setting Season Comes to an End at the Hands of Oklahoma

Photo from GoASU.com

After defeating Oklahoma and home-standing Virginia in the first two games of the Charlottesville Regional, Appalachian saw their 2012 Cinderella run come to an end after being swept in a double-header for the first time all season by the Oklahoma Sooners. After Appalachian jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning of game one, the Sooners stormed back to pound out 14 runs on 13 hits to claim a 14-6 victory and force an elimination game with a trip to the Columbia Super Regional on the line.


The Mountaineers struck first for the second time on Monday as they plated a first inning run on a Daniel Kassouf double. However, as was the case all afternoon, the Sooners answered right back with a 3-run bottom half of the first that was capped off by a two-run double that fell off the glove of left fielder Brandon Burris and would have represented the final out of the frame. That would prove to be enough as the Apps plated one more run in the 6th but could not overcome a great pitching performance by Oklahoma starter Drew Harrison, who was making his first career start and went six innings, surrendering only 3 hits and 2 runs. While ASU battled and got men on base, they stranded seven men and never came up with the timely hits needed to cash in a big inning and put the pressure on Oklahoma, who displayed the poise you would expect from a program that made the 2011 Super Regionals and a trip to Omaha in 2010.


Despite the disappointing finish that saw Appalachian forced into a double-header by inclement weather on Friday, the Mountaineer baseball program took another significant step forward this season as the team etched their names all over the ASU record book. The 2012 Appalachian baseball team set the program record for wins with a final record of 41-18, won ASU's first regular season SoCon championship since 1987, made their first NCAA Regional appearance since 1986 and won their first games in NCAA tournament competition since 1973. There were also individual marks set as Ryan Arrowood will graduate as the program's all-time leader in wins (28) and strikeouts (252). In his undefeated 11-0 senior campaign, Ryan also set the single-season strikeout record with 93. Single-season records were also set by Daniel Kassouf with 17 home runs and Nathan Hyatt with 16 saves.


As is typically the case with sports fans, the sting of a season-ending loss quickly turns to looking ahead to next year. For head coach Chris Pollard and the Mountaineers, the future is bright in Boone. This season has been a great ride for ASU fans and it really exemplifies how far Coach Pollard has taken this program. When he took this job, ASU was coming off of a 10-win campaign in 2004 and sat at 10 wins again in 2005. After improving to 24 wins in 2006, the Mountaineers put together five consecutive 30-win seasons from 2007-2011 and turned the corner in 2012 to reach the 40-win plateau in a year where the SoCon was as strong as ever, putting three teams into the NCAA tournament. With the new baseball facilities on campus and the steady hand of Chris Pollard at the helm, there is quite simply a different caliber player signing to play baseball at ASU than in years past and the cupboard is far from bare even with the accomplished senior class that will depart.


The most significant losses on the mound will be starting pitchers Ryan Arrowood and Seth Grant. The void in the starting rotation will likely be filled by incumbent starter Rob Marcello, Jeffrey Springs, Jamie Nunn and a decorated freshman class that includes highly sought-after starting pitcher Blake Burkett from Cumming,GA who was recruited by Georgia, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Auburn and Navy before deciding on Appalachian. Springs and Nunn showed flashes of their potential as relievers and mid-week starters in their freshman campaigns. Both young men were ranked among the top 35 prep players in North Carolina's 2011 high school senior class and have the ability to fight for spots in the weekend rotation for years to come. Mountaineer fans will also have one more year of fireballer Nathan Hyatt to look forward to, as he figures to return and hold down the back end of the bullpen unless he decides to forgo his senior season for the MLB draft, which seems unlikely.


At the plate and in the field, designated hitter Daniel Kassouf, first baseman Trey Holmes and catcher Jeremy Dowdy will all be lost to graduation. However, ASU will return 4 of the top 5 hitters in the batting order as Hector Crespo, Tyler Zupcic, Will Calloway and Tyler Tewell will all return for their final season in the black and gold. The likely replacement at first base will be rising sophomore Alex Leach, who had a decorated prep career for Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte's Southwest 4-A conference, traditionally one of the strongest in the state. While Trey Holmes' defensive prowess will be hard to duplicate, he will provide the Apps with another power bat from the left side. Brandon Burris figures to be in the permanent outfield rotation in 2013, after batting .358 in 24 starts during his freshman campaign. In order to make room for him, the coaches will have a choice to make as Tyler Tewell may slide into the starting catcher's role unless someone else steps up in the offseason to fill Dowdy's shoes.


While I share in the disappointment of losing consecutive games to end what was an amazing and enjoyable 2012 campaign, I am very proud of our the strides that our program has made and am excited for the future of Mountaineer baseball. As anyone who has attended an ASU game this year and interacted with our players can attest, these are not only high-quality baseball players but great young men that we can all be proud of. I offer my congratulations to Coach Pollard, the seniors and everyone involved with ASU baseball on an excellent season. They have instilled a much-needed boost of Mountaineer pride into a fan base that was frustrated by our 2011 football season and the never-ending rollercoaster of conference realignment. Along with their on-field accomplishments, they have earned a bevy of new fans for ASU baseball and put a buzz on the mountain during the spring and summer months.

Mountaineers Hit the Road With an Eye On the SoCon Title

Ryan Arrowood - From GoASU.com

Coming off of a huge series win on the road over the Samford Bulldogs and exacting a measure of revenge with a 5-3 triumph in Tuesday's home finale over Gardner-Webb, Coach Pollard and the Mountaineers (37-12, 20-7 SoCon) hit the road this week to wrap up the regular season at long-time rival Western Carolina (30-21, 14-13 SoCon). Taking 2 of 3 in Birmingham eliminated the Bulldogs from contention for the regular season Southern Conference championship and dropped Appalachian's magic number to 2 entering the final conference series of the year. The wins over Samford gained even more significance on Tuesday, as the Bulldogs defeated #5 Florida 12-7 and opened the door to the possibility that the SoCon could earn 3 bids to the NCAA tournament.


Trailing the Mountaineers in the standings is College of Charleston, who is one game behind ASU with a 19-8 conference mark. Charleston will visit UNC Greensboro for a 3-game series this weekend. However, Appalachian owns the tie breaker after taking the series from the Cougars last month at Smith Stadium. With 2 wins in Cullowhee, the Apps are guaranteed at least a share of the regular season title and the top seed in next week's tournament. Elon is also yet to be mathematically eliminated from title contention, as they sit at 17-10 in conference play. In order for the Phoenix to take the regular season championship, they must sweep The Citadel and hope for 2 Charleston losses and a sweep for the Catamounts.


Due to the start of next week's SoCon tournament in Greenville on Wednesday, all conference series are being pushed forward one day and running Thursday through Sunday to give the teams an extra day of rest to prepare for a long weekend of baseball. Taking the hill for Appalachian will be the normal weekend rotation of Ryan Arrowood, Seth Grant and Rob Marcello. Western Carolina has been a tough team to figure out this season, as they have lost 4 of their last 5 ballgames, including a surprising 11-5 defeat at home last night to a Winthrop team who is currently 16-33 overall and near the bottom of the Big South. However, WCU boasts a series win at Elon, a win over the Georgia Bulldogs and two victories over Clemson.


There is no question that Appalachian will get Western's best shot this weekend, as they would like nothing more than the spoil the championship hopes of their hated rival. The pressure will be squarely in the corner of the Mountaineers, as the Catamounts have been eliminated from title contention but have secured a spot in the 8-team field next week. Along with the accomplishment of winning their first regular season championship since 1987, seeding in next week's tournament will have an effect on scheduling. If Appalachian secures the top seed, they will begin play next Wednesday at 5:00 PM. However, if they fall to the second spot, first pitch will be at 10:00 AM. The later start would provide extra time to prepare and the chance to keep a regular routine, as well as allow time for the Appalachian fans in the area to make the trip down to Greenville. The stakes of this weekend's series are not lost on Coach Pollard or the team and I expect ASU to counter every punch they receive from the Catamounts.


My prediction: Appalachian takes 2 of 3

Brian Quick Drafted 33rd Overall By the St. Louis Rams

Brian Quick - From GoASU.com

On Friday evening, Brian Quick became the highest NFL Draft selection in Appalachian State history as the St. Louis Rams picked Brian with the 1st pick of the 2nd round (33rd overall). Coming into the draft, Brian was predicted to go anywhere from early 2nd round to middle of the 3rd. Fortunately for Quick and all of the Appalachian fans anxious to hear his name called, the wait on day two of the draft was brief as Rams legends Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce announced Brian as the first player off the board in round two.


Quick left ASU as the all-time leader in receptions (202), yards (3,418) and receiving touchdowns (31) in spite of playing just one year of prep football at Ridge View High in Columbia, SC. Brian focused on basketball his first three years in high school and those skills translated smoothly to the gridiron, becoming part of what had scouts salivating over his potential. At 6 foot 4 and 220 pounds with 4.5 speed and a 36-inch vertical leap, Quick has the size to be a match-up nightmare even at the highest level.


According to Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports, it was a private workout at the indoor practice facility in Boone last Friday that shot him up Jeff Fisher's list. The Rams just missed on Justin Blackmon in the first round and were so impressed with Quick that they would have considered taking him at 33rd even if Blackmon was already on board. With the offseason departure of Brandon Lloyd, Brian will have the opportunity to start right away in St. Louis if he can pick up the offense this summer. His athletic ability is off the charts and with an experienced coaching staff in place with the recent hiring of Jeff Fisher along with a good young quarterback in Sam Bradford, the sky is the limit for Brian.


There is a significant amount of pressure for Quick to perform and contribute almost immediately, as he is filling a position of serious need for Coach Fisher and the Rams. Nobody has ever questions Brian's work ethic and if he is able to stay humble, keep his focus and adjust to the speed and complexity of the pro game, we should have the pleasure of watching him on Sundays for years to come.

ASU Dominates Furman in 3-Game Sweep, Tewell Earns SoCon POW

Tyler Tewell - From GoASU.com

After a rough stretch that saw the Mountaineers (28-9, 13-5 SoCon) drop 4 of 5 including a tough loss in the rubber match in Statesboro, Appalachian bounced back in dominating fashion. In a series that spanned just over 24 hours and was seemingly over before it began, ASU outscored Furman (18-23, 7-14 SoCon) 34-7 in three games at Smith Stadium that came just days after the Paladins defeated the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens. Due to impending weather, the series concluded with a double header beginning at noon on Saturday.


Daniel Kassouf led the way in the 14-2 game one romp, going 4-for-5 with 4 runs, 3 RBI and 2 HR. After the completion of the series, Kassouf now sports a .387 average (4th in the SoCon) with 15 HR (2nd), 45 RBI (T-1st) and is still very much alive in his quest for the conference's triple crown. Ryan Arrowood turned in another solid outing in the opening game as well, going 7 innings, allowing 2 earned runs and striking out 5 with no walks. Ryan improved to a perfect 7-0 on the year and remains in a 4-way tie for the conference lead in wins.


Offensively, Saturday's twin bill was all about Tyler Tewell. After a 1-for-3 performance in the opener, Tyler went 3-for-4, scoring two runs and driving the final dagger in the Paladins to conclude a back and forth contest with a walk-off, bases loaded single off of Jacques de Gruy in the 9th to lift ASU to a 6-5 victory. Nathan Hyatt pitched a perfect 9th inning to earn his first victory of the season.


Tyler's bat did not cool off at all for the nightcap, as he turned in a 2-for-5 performance with 3 runs scored and 5 RBI. Tewell drove in 4 of those runs with one swing in the 7th inning, as he belted his first career grand slam off of Elliott Warford to break the game wide open and extend the ASU lead to 12-0 after Warford hit two consecutive Mountaineer hitters. Behind all the offensive fireworks, Rob Marcello pitched 6 scoreless innings, notching 3 strikeouts with no walks as Appalachian cruised to a 14-2 victory.


Today, Tyler Tewell was announced as the Southern Conference Player of the Week on the heels of his 6-for-12 weekend with 6 RBI and 6 runs scored. Tyler's hot weekend has moved him just past teammate Daniel Kassouf and into 2nd in the SoCon with a .393 batting average. The award was the first of Tewell's ASU career.


Up Next:


The Mountaineers will put their 3-game winning streak on the line Tuesday night, as the High Point Panthers (23-20, 8-7 Big South) make the trip up the mountain for a single game. First pitch is set for 6:00 PM and while the pitching match-up has not been officially announced, I would expect to see freshman right hander Jamie Nunn (3-0, 1.61 ERA) take the ball for Coach Pollard and the Apps. The Panthers are expected to counter with junior righty Jared Avidon (1-3, 8.68 ERA). Despite his unimpressive statistics, Avidon was able to go 7 strong innings, giving up only 1 earned run in a home victory over East Carolina on March 21.


Appalachian is 10-5 against the Panthers since 2000 and leads the all-time series 27-23, although HPU swept both games last season. The clubs originally had a game scheduled for March 20 in High Point that was postponed due to rain. To date, no make-up date has been scheduled. The Panthers are winding down a six game road trip and declined to turn Tuesday's contest into a double-header. Although I would love to see the game made up, I cannot fault them for turning down the offer. They are coming of a brutal stretch of road contests at UNC, Elon and Coastal Carolina (3), posting a 1-4 record.

Series Preview: Paladins Visit Boone for SoCon Weekend Tilt

Saturday starter Seth Grant. Photo from GoASU.com.

After having a mid-week series with Eastern Kentucky wiped out by rain, the Mountaineers (25-9, 10-5 SoCon) will take the field for the first time since Sunday's heartbreaking loss to Georgia Southern against another long-time conference rival as Furman visits Smith Stadium for the weekend. The Paladins enter the series with an overall record of 18-20 and a 7-11 mark in conference. In spite of having a losing record overall and in SoCon play, Furman is a dangerous team who has taken 3-game series from Elon and Georgia Southern. In their last game on Tuesday, the Paladins traveled to Athens and took down traditional SEC power Georgia by a 5-4 final. 


The Apps hope to build on their late offensive surge displayed in Statesboro last weekend and statistically speaking, their is no better conference match-up to revive the Appalachian bats than Furman. The Paladins' pitching staff currently ranks last in the conference in ERA (5.53), runs per game (6.3) and opponent batting average (.286). Given the season long struggles of the FU pitching staff and the offensive power of the Mountaineer line-up, particularly at home, this series provides an opportunity for ASU to bounce back from a rough week on the road.


The Apps will send their regular weekend rotation of Ryan Arrowood (6-0, 4.18), Seth Grant (6-2, 2.98) and Rob Marcello (4-3, 4.59) to face the Paladins. While Arrowood looks to build on a gutsy effort in last Friday's win in Statesboro (7 IP, 1 ER, 7 K, 5 BB), Grant and Marcello will look to bounce back from being roughed up by the Eagles. Both young men struggled with location last weekend, as Grant (4.2 IP, 1 K, 3 BB, 6 ER) and Marcello (5.0 IP, 2 K, 3 BB, 4 ER) took consecutive losses for the first time this season.


Furman will counter Arrowood on Friday with senior righty Bobby Lyne (5-3, 3.78 ERA). On Saturday, junior left hander Nate Smith (3-4, 6.39 ERA) with face off with Seth Grant. For the finale, sophomore righty Tyler Wood (3-5, 6.08 ERA) will take the hill for the Paladins against Rob Marcello. Lyne is the most experienced starter of the bunch and is clearly the ace of the Furman staff. In 52.1 innings pitched this season, Lyne has struck out 36 batters while issuing only 11 walks. Despite taking the loss in the first of a 3-game sweep in Cullowhee last weekend, Lyne pitched 7 strong innings, surrendering 3 earned runs and striking out five men. It will be crucial for the Mountaineers to set the tone for the weekend tonight and if ASU can manage to get past the lone consistent Paladin starter, they should have a great shot to get back to their winning ways and build on their 17-1 home mark.


Offensively, Furman is paced by leadoff man Will Owens. The senior left fielder leads the team with a .353 batting average, .444 on-base percentage and 35 runs scored. The run production in the middle of the Paladin order is provided primarily by senior center fielder Will Miller (.310, 8 HR, 31 RBI) and junior catcher Paul Nitto (.284, 2 HR, 36 RBI). Junior second baseman Will Muzika is also a player to watch on the base paths as he leads the team with 13 stolen bases and is also batting a healthy .291 with 24 runs scored.


The Mountaineers find themselves at a bit of a crossroads, sitting in a 4-way tie atop the Southern Conferences standings at the exact midpoint of a 30-game conference season. Having already played two co-leaders Elon and College of Charleston, it is vital that the Apps take care of business in the following weeks against Furman, Wofford and UNC Greensboro, 3 of the bottom 4 teams in the conference. Having no shortage of rest or motivation, the Mountaineers should be primed to protect their home field this weekend against the rival Paladins. Appalachian leads the all-time series 54-42 and has won 7 of their last 10 against Furman. A series win or possible sweep would put the Mountaineers back on track as they vie for a favorable seed in the SoCon tournament and polish their resume for potential at-large bid to the NCAA Regionals if they cannot lock down the auto bid.


I like the Mountaineers to get back in the win column tonight and take 2 of 3 from the Paladins. Considering the struggles of the back end of Furman's weekend rotation, a sweep is not out of the question, as Grant and Marcello could very well bounce back strong from a disappointing series. However, anything less than a series win at home would be crippling at this key point in the season.


First pitch is set for 6:00 PM Friday, 3:00 PM Saturday and noon on Sunday.

ASU Set to Host Eastern Kentucky for a Mid-Week Set

After dropping the final two games in Statesboro and 4 of their last 5 contests, Appalachian (25-9, 10-5 SoCon) will send true freshman right hander Jamie Nunn to the hill as they look to recover from their first extended struggles of the 2012 season. Nunn has appeared in 10 games with 4 starts and has made the most of his playing time, posting a perfect 3-0 record and an impressive 1.67 ERA. In 27 innings pitched, he has notched 25 strikeouts to only 10 walks. Although he is a relatively inexperienced young pitcher, Jamie has proven to be reliable thus far and has the makings of a future weekend starter.

The Colonels (16-17, 8-4 OVC) will counter with junior RHP Chase Greene, who will be making his 4th start of the 2012 season in the opener of the 2 game mid-week series. In 15.2 innings pitched, Greene holds an 0-2 record, 10.54 ERA and a concerning ratio of 14 strikeouts to 12 walks. While the strikeout per inning figure is solid, he has struggled to keep men off base as batters are hitting .394 against him to go with the high walk total.

As a team, Eastern Kentucky's overall record is a bit misleading, as the Colonels enter Tuesday's match-up having won 9 of their last 11 ball games. Their wins have come against a light schedule of Jacksonville State (RPI #217), Marshall (202), SIU Edwardsville (148), Southeast Missouri State (232) and Eastern Illinois (190), but the Apps should fully expect a confident team to show up at Smith Stadium this evening.

In spite of the fact that the two clubs are currently trending in opposite directions, I like the Mountaineers to rebound and get back into the win column. ASU sports a 17-1 record at home this season and are 44-7 against non-conference competition since Smith Stadium opened in 2007. With the sting of a gut-wrenching loss to rival Georgia Southern fresh on their minds and an opposing pitcher who has struggled with his command, I expect the Mountaineers' offense to get back on track and provide Jamie Nunn with sufficient run support to remain perfect on the season and pick up his fourth career win.

Tonight's game has been moved forward 45 minutes in anticipation of rain hitting the High Country. First pitch will be at 5:15PM, with audio and video available here.

*Photo from GoASU.com

Mountaineers' Comeback Bid Falls Short as GSU Holds On Late

After Georgia Southern jumped out to an early 3-0 lead Sunday on a shot to dead center off the bat of catcher Chase Griffin, Appalachian continued their season long 2-out heroics in the top half of the 4th. After Will Calloway singled with the bases clear, Daniel Kassouf and Tyler Tewell strung together RBI doubles to pull the Mountaineers back to within 3-2.


However, the Eagles had a response. After tacking on a single run in the 6th, GSU responded with a 2-out rally of their own to seemingly put the game away. A pair of singles from T.D. Davis and Stryker Brown were followed up by a back-breaking double from Tyler Avera off ASU closer Nathan Hyatt to stretch the Eagles' lead to 7-2.


Despite trailing by 5 runs late in the game, the Apps had one more rally in store. Hector Crespo led off the 8th inning with a single and following a Tyler Zupcic strikeout, Will Calloway reached on an error by shortstop Eric Phillips. As he has seemingly done in clutch situations all season, Daniel Kassouf came through with a towering 3-run shot to left field to cut the deficit to 7-5 and breathe some life into the Mountaineers.


With the bases empty and 2 outs in the 9th, Coach Pollard decided to send Preston Troutman to the plate in place of Noah Holmes. The move paid off, as Troutman legged out an infield hit and turned the line-up over to Crespo, who hit a sharp single up the middle. A double to left field by Tyler Zupcic chased home Troutman but was played cleanly by Michael Burruss, who held the speedy Crespo at 3rd, preserving a 7-6 GSU lead. The seemingly safe lead was in great jeopardy as Will Calloway stepped to the plate with the tying run at 3rd and the go-ahead run in scoring position as well. Calloway hit a sinking line drive to center field and Scooter Williams made a shoestring catch to save the day for Georgia Southern and send Appalachian home with stinging series loss.


The loss dropped ASU to 25-9 overall and a 10-5 mark in Southern Conference play. Dropping the finale in such dramatic fashion is a real punch to the gut, taking away a potential series win in Statesboro that could have been a springboard for the Apps. ASU is now in a virtual tie atop the SoCon with Charleston (14-7), Elon (12-6) and Western Carolina (10-5). The Mountaineers will play 10 of their next 13 in the friendly confines of Smith Stadium, where they are 17-1 on the season. ASU will host Furman (17-20, 7-11) for a weekend series beginning Friday and will travel to Wofford (14-22, 3-12) for a 3-game set next weekend. After tough series with Elon, Charleston and Georgia Southern, the pressure is now on ASU to come away with wins over the teams in the bottom half of the conference. A strong showing over the next two weeks could place the Mountaineers in a very favorable position for the stretch run, while continuing their current slide could remove them from title contention.


Up Next:
ASU will host Eastern Kentucky for a 2-game set beginning tomorrow, April 17 at 6:00PM. Appalachian will conclude their series with the Colonels at 2:00PM on Wednesday. The match-ups have not been officially announced, but I would expect to see Jamie Nunn and Jeffrey Springs get the nod for ASU. EKU comes in with an unimpressive overall record of 16-17 but have won 9 of their last 11 ballgames, while Appalachian has dropped 4 of their last 5.


Both games are available at GoASU.com, with a free audio stream and live video for all Premium members.

Eagles Ride Big Inning to Tie the Series, Rubber Match Set for Sunday

Appalachian State and Georgia Southern played a close baseball game for 4 1/2 innings on Saturday, as ASU limited the damage of 5 hits and 2 errors to climb to within 2 runs. With the Eagles leading 4-2 going into the bottom of the 5th, the wheels fell off for the Mountaineers.


The Apps surrendered 5 hits, 3 of which did not leave the infield and committed a costly 2-run error as Georgia Southern sent 11 men to the plate and scored 7 runs in the frame. Following a leadoff double by Eric Phillips, Will Calloway looked Phillips back to the bag for a second too long on a ground ball by Chase Griffin and Griffin reached 1st base safely. After a misplayed sacrifice bunt, a 2-run single by Hunter Thomas, a 2-run error by Jamie Nunn and a 2-run infield hit by Eric Phillips, the game was out of reach at 11-2. GSU cruised to a 13-3 victory as Appalachian never threatened again. With the loss, ASU drops to 25-8 overall with a 10-4 mark in SoCon play. GSU improves to 21-16 overall, 9-8 in conference.


As is sometimes the case in baseball, ASU had seemingly everything possible go wrong in the course of a frustrating half inning. However, despite the letdown in game 2, the Mountaineers can still accomplish their goal and come away with a series win on Sunday. Along with claiming the regular season series with the Eagles, a win would strengthen the Mountaineers' hold on 1st place in the Southern Conference, as the College of Charleston lost to Samford today and dropped to 13-7 in conference play. Junior Rob Marcello (4-2, 4.30 ERA) will square off against Georgia Southern sophomore Will Middour (1-2, 4.61 ERA) in the rubber match at 1:30 PM.

Mountaineers Take Game 1 in Statesboro

After dropping the series finale in convincing fashion to SoCon rival College of Charleston last weekend and giving up a late lead to fall 6-3 Tuesday evening at Gardner-Webb, Appalachian had lost consecutive games for the first time in 2012. While the series win over the Cougars was a positive, the typically high-powered ASU offense managed only 6 total runs in consecutive losses, well below their season average of 7.8 runs per game. With the uncharacteristic struggles of the offense and the team riding their first losing streak of the season, it was fair to question how the Apps would respond to their first real taste of adversity.


There would be no time to dwell on the brief losing streak as another test was on the horizon with a weekend series in Statesboro against long-time rival Georgia Southern. The Mountaineers were up to the challenge on Friday as they topped GSU 5-1, snapping a 2-game ASU skid and also putting an end to the Eagles' 7-game winning streak. While GSU has dominated the overall series with a commanding 52-16 lead, Appalachian has now won 5 of the last 6 over the Eagles. The win moved Appalachian to 25-7 overall and 10-3 in the SoCon, while senior Ryan Arrowood improved to a perfect 6-0 on the season. Georgia Southern fell to 20-16 overall with an even 8-8 mark in conference. GSU ace and likely first-round draft pick Chris Beck's record dropped to 4-3, as he was unable to overcome a rough 1st inning.


The Mountaineers touched up Beck early, as they loaded the bases with one out after singles by Tyler Zupcic and Will Calloway were followed by a walk to Daniel Kassouf. After Beck got Tyler Tewell swinging for the second out, Jeremy Dowdy drew a bases loaded walk to plate the game's first run. The ASU 2-out magic continued as a Trey Holmes single up the middle plated two more runs and staked the Apps to an early 3-0 lead.


After Ryan Arrowood induced a bases loaded double play from Tyler Avera to get out of the 2nd inning unscathed, a 3rd inning laser shot off the left field foul pole from Daniel Kassouf stretched the Mountaineers' lead to 4-0 and swung momentum clearly on the side of the black and gold. The Eagles got the single run back in the bottom half of the 3rd, as they took advantage of two walks to score their lone run of the evening on an RBI bunt single off the bat of Eric Phillips. Arrowood clamped down from there, posting two consecutive strikeouts to escape the inning with a 4-1 lead.


While neither pitcher was particularly sharp (each had five walks on the day), Ryan was able to get timely strikeouts to limit the damage and also benefited from error-free defense behind him. The Eagles committed two errors on the day. Beck did settle in after the 3rd inning but the early damage proved to be too much as Arrowood's "bend but don't break" performance lasted seven strong innings, with a final line of 7 IP, 5 BB, 7K and 1 ER.


The Apps tacked on a late run in the 9th as a Will Calloway single drove home Hector Crespo on a controversial call at the plate. Home plate umpire Brian Simmons ruled that Hector slid around the tag of Chase Griffin and Eagles manager Rodney Hennon was ejected for arguing call. Due to his ejection, Hennon will not be able to manage game two this afternoon.


First pitch for game two of the series is at 6:00 PM tonight at Clements Stadium. Seth Grant (6-1, 2.22 ERA) will face off against GSU junior Justin Hess (1-1, 5.67 ERA). Free audio is available through the official Georgia Southern athletics site. You can also purchase a live video stream for this weekend's series for $7.95. To take advantage of either option, click here.


*Photo from GoASU.com

Grant, Kassouf Reel in SoCon Awards as the Apps Prepare for Showdown With Charleston

On Tuesday, Appalachian State took home the Southern Conference Player of the Month and Pitcher of the Month awards as Daniel Kassouf and Seth Grant were honored by the league for their play during a month that saw the Mountaineers go 16-3. Grant posted a perfect 5-0 record in March with an impressive 2.18 ERA to go with 20 strikeouts in 33 innings pitched. Seth ends the month riding a streak of 14.1 scoreless innings, including a complete game shutout at Elon on March 24. His performance against the Phoenix allowed Appalachian to avoid the sweep and keep their hold on first place in the conference standings.


Player of the Month Daniel Kassouf terrorized opposing pitching to the tune of a .458 batting average. In 19 games, Kassouf racked up 8 HR, 7 doubles, 26 RBI and 25 runs scored. Daniel hit safely in all but one game and crossed the plate in 15 of 19 contests in March. His incredible month has put him in position to have a legitimate shot at the Southern Conference triple crown as he currently sits 2nd in batting average, 3rd in RBI and 2nd in HR. He is the only SoCon player in the top 3 of all major hitting categories.


During my first visit to Smith Stadium this season for the Rider series, I knew I was going to like Daniel for a few reasons. First, he came to the plate to "God's Gonna Cut You Down" by Johnny Cash, which deserves applause in itself. Second, it was a windy 30 degree day in Boone with snow flurries and he played the entire game in short sleeves. Fresh off of the LSU series that included Kassouf's game winning HR in game two, he proceeded to tally 7 hits over the 4 game series to lay the groundwork for his Player of the Month campaign en route to a dominating 4-game sweep. With Kassouf anchoring the offense along with Tyler Tewell and Will Calloway (each of whom are top 10 in the SoCon in batting average and RBI), the speed of Hector Crespo at the top and timely hitting throughout the line-up, this Mountaineer team is worth the price of admission.


The fan support will be needed this weekend as the Mountaineers prepare for their biggest home series in several years when they play host to the College of Charleston Cougars. Currently, Appalachian (22-5, 7-2) sits in first place in the conference by percentage points over C of C (21-9, 11-4). A series win would likely allow ASU to maintain their position at the top of the standings and place the Mountaineers in an enviable position as they prepare for the stretch run. The Cougars come into the series having lost 3 of their last 4 ballgames, the most recent being a 7-0 home loss to South Carolina after dropping 2 of 3 at Georgia Southern last weekend. The Apps must take advantage of this opportunity to distance themselves from the field and build on their perfect 15-0 mark at home. If you are in the High Country this weekend, stop on by Smith Stadium and lend your support during this crucial conference tilt as Ryan Arrowood, Seth Grant and Rob Marcello will take the ball for the Mountaineers. First pitch is at 6:00 Friday, 3:00 Saturday and 1:00 Sunday.


*Picture from GoASU.com

Heartbreaker in Columbia Snaps 12-Game ASU Win Streak

After putting together an impressive 12-game win streak that included 2 wins over LSU, 2 wins over Duke, a 4-game sweep of Rider and a 3-game sweep of SoCon foe Davidson, the Mountaineers fell in a heartbreaker Wednesday night in Columbia to the South Carolina Gamecocks. While a competitive loss to the two-time defending National Champion is nothing for the Apps to hang their heads about, the opportunity to win was there from the beginning until costly mistakes proved to be the difference.

Appalachian stormed out of the gates as Hector Crespo and Tyler Zupcic strung together seeing-eye singles to begin the game, followed immediately by a Will Calloway 3-run home run that barely cleared the fence in left center. Before an out was even recorded, ASU became only the second team all season to score more than 2 runs against South Carolina pitching. Tyler Tewell added a moonshot solo home run to right field that staked freshman Jeffrey Springs to a 4-0 lead before throwing his first pitch. However, the Mountaineers' bats went silent from there, as Gamecock freshman Jordan Montgomery and the USC bullpen combined to retire 23 straight ASU batters.

While the Carolina arms held ASU at bay, they chipped away at the lead with 1 run in the 2nd and 2 more in the 4th. The real damage, however, came in the bottom of the 7th as Appalachian clung to a 4-3 lead. After loading the bases with a single, 2 Appalachian errors and an intentional walk, Evan Marzilli clubbed a bases clearing double to right center that proved to be the difference. While the Apps escaped the inning without further damage, the 6-4 difference held up despite some 9th inning drama.

After being held hitless since the 1st inning, Tyler Zupcic led off the ASU 9th with a single to center field and advanced to 2nd base on a Will Calloway ground out. That brought clean-up man Daniel Kassouf to the plate with one man out, representing the tying run. Daniel belted the first pitch from USC closer Evan Beal to left center for what looked to be a game-tying home run. However, Evan Marzilli burned the Mountaineers again as he made an amazing diving catch at the wall and proceeded to double off an over aggressive Zupcic to end the game, as he was halfway between 3rd and home when the ball was caught.

There are few sports that can rip a fan's heart out like baseball and the final play of Wednesday's game is a prime example. Despite making many uncharacteristic mistakes in the field and on the base paths, ASU had a chance to hand South Carolina their first home loss of 2012 and eventually fell just short. However, the Mountaineers stood toe to toe with the elite program in college baseball and should still be full of confidence as the Southern Conference slate gets into full swing.

Appalachian (14-3, 3-0) heads home for a key 3-game set against The Citadel (8-8, 1-2) at Smith Stadium this weekend. First pitch is 3:00 Friday, followed by a 2:00 start on Saturday and the 1:00 finale on Sunday. Appalachian will send Arrowood, Marcello and Grant to the hill as they face the traditional SoCon power and look to solidify themselves as one of the top contenders for the conference crown. While the Bulldogs are off to a slow start this season, they are a talented team that has historically had great success against ASU. It will be very important for the team to have a short memory, shake off the disappointing setback to USC and focus on staying atop the SoCon standings.

Mountaineers Complete Weekend Sweep, Set to Host Duke

Riding the momentum of a seven game winning streak, Appalachian is off to one of the best starts in program history. After following up a 1-0 shutout win over LSU with a dominating 11-1 triumph to secure a series victory in Baton Rouge, the Mountaineers have continued their inspired play and have not lost since. The Apps concluded their season opening 7-game road trip with a 5-3 comeback victory in Greensboro over North Carolina A&T to return home with an impressive 5-2 overall record.

Upon arriving to Boone with some early buzz around the team, Appalachian overpowered the visiting Rider Broncs in a one-sided 4-game sweep. The Mountaineers outscored Rider by a cumulative score of 53-15 and sent them home winless for the weekend. While the Broncs have appeared in the NCAA Regionals in two of the past four seasons and are a traditionally strong baseball program, they were thoroughly dominated from the outset.

I was able to make it up for the Sunday finale and watched the Apps capitalize on nearly every Rider misstep on their way to a 15-4 romp to put the exclamation point on an already impressive series. The Mountaineers blew the game open with a 9-run 3rd inning, with 6 runs coming with two outs. The victory moved Appalachian to 9-2 overall and into the top 20 in the RPI. While it is certainly too early to put much value on computer rankings, it is a testament to the good work done thus far.

Next up on the schedule is the Duke Blue Devils, who pay a visit to Smith Stadium tomorrow, March 7 at 5:30PM. It marks the Devils' first visit to the High Country and to mark this event, Appalachian is encouraging all fans to bring any Duke hats, t-shirts or other apparel to the game, where they can be traded in for a free ASU t-shirt. Although it is Duke that plays in the baseball-rich Atlantic Coast Conference, they enter Wednesday's game coming off a 12-4 setback to Western Carolina while the Mountaineers are fresh off two days rest and not short on confidence.

The contest will feature an all-freshman pitching match-up as LHP Jeffrey Springs will face Duke freshman RHP Nick Piscotty. For those not able to make the trip up the mountain, the game will be available to watch or listen to online here. A win tomorrow would maintain the Mountaineers' perfect home record going into their 3-game series with Davidson this weekend to open up conference play.

Mountaineers Shut Out #7 LSU in Baton Rouge

The Appalachian State baseball team pulled off an impressive upset today, as they shut out the 7th ranked LSU Tigers for a 1-0 victory. Ryan Arrowood got the start and pitched seven strong innings, posting 10 strikeouts and surrendering only 2 hits. Arrowood pitched out of his only serious jam in the 1st inning; after giving up a lead-off walk to Tyler Hanover and a single to Casey Yocom, Ryan induced a double play and then struck out the next five LSU batters to take control of the game early.

Catcher Jeremy Dowdy had 2 of Appalachian's 5 hits but the only scoring was provided by designated hitter Daniel Kassouf, as he hit a first-pitch home run to left field off of LSU pitcher Ryan Eades with two outs in the top of the fourth. It was Daniel's 2nd home run of the young season. The single run proved to be enough after closer Nathan Hyatt picked up his second save of the year, entering for Arrowood in the eighth and throwing two shutout innings. After retiring the Tigers in order with two strikeouts in the eighth, Hyatt gave up a one-out single to Tyler Hanover in the final frame. Pinch-runner Arby Fields was forced out at second base on a fielder's choice for the second out, but a wild pitch by Hyatt put the tying run in scoring position for the Tigers. However, Nathan recovered and struck out Raph Rhymes to end the game and secure the biggest baseball upset in recent memory for the Apps.

This is a very important win for ASU as Coach Pollard continues his impressive work. The Mountaineers are coming off their fifth consecutive winning season after not having a single winning campaign since 1991. A win like this is one that should generate a lot of confidence in the Mountaineers' dugout and could be sign of good this to come in 2012. Entering the series with Appalachian, LSU was averaging a staggering 11 runs per game. They have now scored 4 total runs in the first two games against ASU, which speaks very highly of the talented arms at the Mountaineer's disposal. Shutting out LSU in Baton Rouge is a rare feat, as today marks only the first time a non-conference opponent has done so since 2004 and only the second time overall since 2007. The last opponent to blank the Tigers at home was the #1 ranked Florida Gators last season. The Mountaineers are now 4-2 in their last six games against SEC competition.

Appalachian will face LSU in the rubber match tomorrow, with the first pitch at noon EST. Go Apps!

*Photo from GoASU.com

2012 Recruiting Round-Up

Led by coach Moore and newly appointed recruiting coordinator Scot Sloan, the Appalachian State coaching staff came through in a difficult time of heavy coaching transition with a group of recruits that has the potential to be the most impressive class the Mountaineers have landed in recent years. Appalachian will welcome a 19-man class onto campus in 2012 with 10 signees on the defensive side and 9 offensive commitments.

Entering the offseason, there were three key areas of need for ASU: running back, offensive line and defensive tackle. All three areas were addressed thoroughly and below, I will give a brief overview of all the new Mountaineers along with all the highlights I can find:

Tysean Holloway (RB: 6-1, 190 - Asheville, NC) - Highlights

Hailing from nearby Asheville High School, Tysean (pictured above) was a 2011 Shrine Bowl participant and the 2011 Mountain Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. In his 3 year career, he racked up 4,844 rushing yards and 77 touchdowns, earning him a 3-star rating from ESPN and a 2-star rating from Rivals along with scholarship offers from Duke, North Carolina, Georgia Tech and Western Carolina. Holloway has shown good speed, the ability to run between the tackles and should compete immediately for playing time in the backfield along with Rod Chisholm and his fellow 2012 classmate Quartterrio Morgan.

Quartterrio Morgan (RB: 5-10, 180 - Jonesboro, GA) - Highlights (Membership Req'd)

Quartterrio is a rare FBS transfer that comes in with all four years of eligibility, as he took a redshirt in his only season at Western Kentucky. Appalachian offered Morgan and recruited him heavily out of high school and although they lost the battle to WKU, the coaching staff is thrilled to have won the war. He was a football and track star at Mt. Zion high school in Georgia, where he played in a spread offense similar to the one installed in Boone. His 4,200 yard, 50 touchdown prep career earned him a 3-star rating from ESPN and Rivals, along with a handful of FBS offers. He has shown explosive speed and cutting ability and at this point, could be a front-runner for the top spot on the depth chart at running back.

Jamie Collmar (OL: 6-2, 280 - Gastonia, NC) - Highlights 2

Another in-state commitment, Collmar was firmly committed to Florida International before taking a visit to Boone as signing day approached. In what was expected to be a formality and no more than due diligence, he fell in love with the campus and decided to stay close to home. He was an all-state selection in 2011 for Forestview High School in Gastonia and was rated a 3-star prospect by ESPN and a 2-star prospect by Rivals. He played both offensive tackle and defensive tackle in his prep career but projects as a guard or center at the collegiate level. For a unit that was depleted by injuries and graduation, he is a welcome addition to the offensive line and could crack the 2-deep early in his ASU career.

Dante Blackmon (DB: 5-11, 185 - Covington, GA) - Highlights

An excellent athlete with 4.4 speed, Dante played both WR and CB in high school and was rated a 3-star prospect by both Rivals and ESPN. He is expected to play in the defensive secondary at ASU and although it is already an area of great depth, he has the playmaking ability to see the field early. Blackmon remained committed to ASU despite a late push by Wake Forest along with offers from Indiana, Buffalo and Western Kentucky. He will have to fight his way past some very talented incumbent defensive backs but I fully expect Dante to be a star in the black and gold.

Darian Small (DT: 6-2, 285 - Hampton, GA) - Highlights 2

With the graduation of seniors Dan Wylie, Chris Aiken and Gordy Witte, defensive tackle is a position that was left dangerously thin after 2011. Darian is a talented DT that Appalachian was able to pry away from Georgia Southern late in the recruiting process. Small was second team all-state his senior year and led Dutchtown High School in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. Rated a 3-star prospect by ESPN, Small will certainly be on the short list of candidates to crack the starting line-up as a true freshman. He has shown the ability to stay low, fight off blockers and has the prototypical frame for a nose tackle in the 3-4 defense. Along with Georgia Southern, Darian was recruited by Chattanooga and Marshall.

Malachi Jones (WR: 6-1, 180 - Roswell, GA) - Highlights

Jones comes from a family of athletes as his father won a National Championship as a linebacker at Notre Dame and his brother T.J. is currently a starting wide receiver for the Irish. Malachi was a 2nd team all-state selection as a senior and was rated a 2-star prospect by Rivals. For a young player, he runs very crisp routes and has a great combination of hands and speed. Depending on the development of redshirt freshman Sean Price, Jones could see the field very early as the Mountaineers look for a deep-threat receiver to replace the void left by Brian Quick.

Aaron Krah (DB: 5-11, 175 - Durham, NC) - Highlights 2

Krah is a 2011 Shrine Bowl participant, the 2011 PAC-6 Defensive Back of the Year and a key component of Hillside High School's 2010 4-A State Championship. Along with excelling on the defensive side of the ball, he was a return specialist who boasts sub-4.5 speed and a 2-star Rivals rating. Impressive ball skills and will push for playing time in an already crowded secondary.

John Law (LB: 6-0, 225 - Atlanta, GA) - Highlights

Law is a welcome addition to a linebacking unit that will be one of, if not the best in all of the FCS in 2012. Playing time will be hard to come by but with coach Moore already comparing Law to former Mountaineers D.J. Smith and Dexter Coakley, he is likely to see the field in some capacity as a freshman. With rising senior All-American Jeremy Kimbrough to learn from, he seems positioned as the heir apparent in a long line of dominant Appalachian State middle linebackers. Law was firmly committed to Cincinnati until a request to redshirt as a freshman opened up his recruitment. With an opportunity to see the field as a freshman, a BCS commitment landed in Boone and is likely to make his stay a memorable one. Rated a 2-star prospect by ESPN and Rivals, Law's highlights show amazing instinct in reading an offense and a hard-hitting aggression that has coaches and fans alike excited about his future.

Paul Magloire (QB/S: 6-2, 210 - Lynbrook, NY) - Highlights

Magloire played on both sides of the ball in high school but his collegiate position has yet to be determined. Paul was one of ASU's earlier commits and has stated that he is willing to play wherever the coaches place him. After his career at Lynbrook High School, he played one season at the Milford Academy on a team full of D1 prospects which will only help him as he faces college competition. Unfortunately for him, both safety and quarterback are positions of depth at ASU and I would not be surprised to see him take a redshirt. However, he is too good an athlete to keep off the 2-deep for long.

Barrett Burns (TE: 6-4, 220 - Woodstock, GA) - Highlights

Despite having great speed and athletic ability for his size, Burns remained relatively under the radar during his prep career while playing for a run-oriented option offense that prevented him from putting up big numbers in the passing game. He was a two-sport athlete, lettering in track and football. Trevor Sawyer appears to be the odds-on favorite to start at tight end but Burns could certainly be in the mix as a back-up that could play special teams and get on the field as a freshman in two tight end sets. The coaching staff will likely have to decide whether they want him to play early or redshirt to maximize his playing time if they view him as the successor to Sawyer. Rated a 2-star prospect by ESPN.

Olawale Dada (LB: 6-0, 210 - Columbus, GA) - Highlights

Dada is a somewhat raw prospect that did not begin playing football until he was a sophomore in high school. Olawale (goes by Wale) was born in Nigeria and actually took up football as a way to relate to his peers in school. Needless to say, he excelled on the field and due to his athletic ability, has great upside potential. He is also an exceptional student and was a semifinalist for the 2011 Rudy Award. He was recruited by SoCon rivals Furman and Wofford, as well as Jacksonville State.

Chris Starks (WR: 6-1, 170 - Lithonia, GA) - Highlights

Starks eluded many of the big schools because he did not play in an offense that allowed him to post big numbers but in my opinion, Chris could be one of the steals in this class. He is 6-1 with a frame that could allow for a few more pounds of muscle and has been clocked at a 4.38 40-yard dash. Played both sides of the ball in high school but projects as a wide receiver at the collegiate level. However, his best chance for early playing time is on special teams as he was a dynamic return man during his prep career and the graduation of Travaris Cadet will create an open competition for returning duties. Along with his speed, he has great leaping ability and ball skills. The coaching staff's comfort level with his route running and blocking will determine if he has a substantial offensive role early, but his potential is enormous.

Tyson Fernandez (OL: 6-2, 315 - Fuquay-Varina, NC) - Highlights

Fernandez was another early commitment who played on both sides in high school but was recruited the play in the trenches on offense. A very aggressive blockers who plays to the whistle. At 315 pounds, has the width and lower body strength to develop into a great guard on the offensive line. The coaching staff has made a concerted effort to beef up on the front line without sacrificing speed. Tyson is a perfect example, as his foot speed is very impressive for a young man his size. May not be ready to contribute immediately but has the frame to develop into a starter.

Greg Hall (LB: 6-3, 235 - Bogart, GA) - Highlights

Hall was a first team all-state selection in Georgia and a DE/LB hybrid that is almost a necessity in the 3-4 scheme. He is the nephew of NFL veteran and former Carolina Panther Will Witherspoon. Although he is not small by any means, he could stand to add a bit more muscle to his lean frame and will likely do so after being introduced to a college training regimen. Due to the depth at both DE and LB, he may redshirt or be solely a special teams contributor early but like many prospects, there is serious potential for growth.


Greg Milhouse (DL: 6-3, 275 - Garner, NC) - Highlights
An offensive and defensive lineman in high school, Milhouse projects as a defensive end in 3-4 sets or a tackle in the 4-3 setup at ASU. After some flirtation with Wake Forest and an official visit to UCLA, Greg's decision ultimately came down to App State or Elon and the Mountaineers coaching staff has to be thrilled about landing him in Boone. A very strong young man who plays with a nasty streak, he could find his way in the rotation early.


Alex Gray (DB: 6-3, 210 - Suwanee, GA) - Highlights
While Gray will be competing among a very talented group of defensive backs, he projects as a safety and with an ideal frame and great athleticism, Alex may end up following Troy Sanders at the strong safety spot. Alex earned all-county recognition as a senior and runs a 4.44 40-yard dash.

Kevin Walton (DB: 6-1, 190 - Greensboro, NC) - Highlights
Walton committed to ASU about a week prior to signing day with little else known about his recruitment. He will likely be a cornerback at Appalachian but with the return of Demetrius McCray, Rodger Walker and Doug Middleton, defensive playing time may be scarce early on, making special teams his best option to contribute as an underclassman.


Tashion Singleton (DE/LB: 6-3, 245 - Charlotte, NC) - Highlights
Coach Moore and staff began recruiting Singleton very early on and after weighing his options with Charlotte and South Carolina State, Tashion gave his commitment to ASU which was solidified after to visit for Black Saturday 2011 against Georgia Southern. After watching an impressive performance against the Eagles, Singleton eventually decided he wanted to be a part of Dale Jones' defense, where he will likely play a hybrid defensive end and linebacker role. John Rizor will likely hold down that starting spot in 2012 but Singleton has the size and strength to play at this level immediately and could find his way into the rotation very early.


Matthew Privette (OL: 6-4, 280 - Marshville, NC) - Highlights
Privette was recruited as an offensive tackle and has college-ready size but with the return of Kendall Lamm and Regan Dufort, both tackle spots are likely going to be spoken for. He chose ASU over conference foe Elon and should provide depth for a unit that has clearly become a focal point in recruiting for the Mountaineers.

Return of Scott Satterfield Highlights ASU Coaching Changes

An already eventful 2012 off-season that began with the announcement of longtime ASU assistant Mark Speir as Western Carolina's new head coach has gotten even more interesting this week with several other exits from the Appalachian staff and a key re-hire. Although the turnover among the coaching staff was far from unexpected, there have been some surprises along the way with more likely to come.


On Tuesday, the university announced the departures of strength and conditioning coach Mike Kent, wide receivers coach Trey Elder, quarterbacks coach Brad Glenn and tight ends coach John Holt. Although it has not yet been confirmed with an official announcement by the university, the release of offensive line coach Bob McClain has also been reported. Mike Kent will be assuming a similar position at Colorado State and joining his friend Jim McElwain, who was recently named head coach at CSU, while Kareem Young has been named interim director of strength and conditioning in Kent's place. Young is an Appalachian alumnus who played for Coach Moore as a running back from 1994-1998 and has served as the assistant director of strength and conditioning under Kent for the past two seasons.


Glenn, Elder and Holt will all be joining Mark Speir at Western Carolina. Coach Speir has named Glenn offensive coordinator, Elder wide receivers coach and Holt as coach of the offensive line. While ASU has yet to find a replacement for Elder and Holt, Brad Glenn's position was promptly filled on Wednesday with the return of celebrated Appalachian player and coach Scott Satterfield. Scott's role, however, will be as not only quarterbacks coach but assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.


Satterfield has a long history with Appalachian, dating back 20 years to his playing days from 1992-1995 as quarterback for the Mountaineers. After his playing days were over, he returned to Boone as a member of the coaching staff from 1998-2008. During his first turn on the ASU staff, he coached running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks. He also served as the primary play-caller during his last 5 years on the sideline and took an active role in the transition from the Power-I to a spread offense, leading to record-setting offensive production and 3 National Championships.


During his brief hiatus, he spent one season as the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for Toledo in 2009, followed by 2 seasons as offensive coordinator at Florida International University where the program qualified for their first 2 bowl appearances in school history. His return to Boone marks the first time in 10 seasons that ASU has had a designated offensive coordinator on staff. His experience at the FBS level under highly regarded coaches Mario Cristobal and Tim Beckman will be extremely valuable as he takes the reigns of an Appalachian offense that struggled to find an identity in 2011.


As assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, Scott will have significant input along with Coach Moore in filling the coaching vacancies for the wide receivers, tight ends and offensive line. In my opinion, no hire will be more important for Appalachian's immediate future and Scott's long-term future than the offensive line. I expect to see a coach selected who has experience with running an inside zone blocking scheme suited for a spread option attack that will allow the Mountaineers' to resurrect a struggling ground game and restore balance to the offense. It became all too apparent in 2011 that ASU could not control a game on the ground as in years past, resulting in a one-dimensional offense with frustrating predictability and inconsistent production.


The return of Scott Satterfield was an impressive coup for AD Charlie Cobb and Coach Moore, as he is a great offensive mind that will likely pay immediate dividends for the black and gold. He is also dedicated to his alma mater and has long-term plans for ASU as opposed to many coaches who would view this opportunity as a stepping stone on the way to a bigger program. There has been much speculation regarding Coach Satterfield's future and the possibility of him succeeding Coach Moore when he decides to retire. While this is certainly a strong possibility that could be solidified with a successful turn in his current position, there are no promises in place which was made clear in his introductory press conference.


This is the best possible situation for all parties involved, as it would not be a prudent decision to hand him the head coach title before seeing how he handles the hiring of a staff and having nearly sole control of the offensive side of the ball in his newly appointed position. Doing so would have handcuffed the athletic department in terms of assessing our future after Jerry Moore and possibly fostered complacency on the part of Coach Satterfield. Being the head coach of a great program like Appalachian State is a privilege that must be earned and Scott will have the opportunity to do just that. He is a great young coach with connections all over the Southeast from his days at ASU that were enhanced further by his experience recruiting at Florida International. It would be naive not to see the writing on the wall that he will likely be a leading candidate to take this program into the future, but I applaud Charlie Cobb for delaying such a conclusive decision when it would have been very easy to throw the "Head Coach in Waiting" title at Scott to entice him to return.


The focus will now turn to filling out the staff, which should be much easier now that the leader of the offense is in place and the chain of command has been stabilized. I would be surprised if we do not see significant progress made on that front in the next week or two, as it is crunch time for recruiting and there should be no shortage of candidates. Things could have gone much differently with all the change and uncertainty surrounding the ASU football program but with one great hire and a much-needed change of leadership on the offensive line, the future has gotten much brighter in Boone over the last week.


*Photo from citizen-times.com