RGV Capsules: Expectations high for 2012 Scorpions
Each year since joining the NAIA since 2007, the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College baseball team has improved on its record from the previous year.
With five years of progress, expectations are as high as they have ever been for the Scorpions in 2012.
Under coach Bryan Aughney, the Scorpions have posted winning records in the last two seasons, reaching the opening round of the NAIA national championship both times. After a 28-31 record in 2009, the Scorpions went 31-24 in 2010 and 35-26 in 2011.
Aughney starts his fourth season with a 94-81 record (.537), six wins shy of his 100th victory as a head coach.
With nine seniors on a 32-man roster and a group of impressive recruits, the Scorpions could make some serious noise in the Red River Athletic Conference, where they have finished second two straight years.
"Three years ago we were still finding our way," Aughney said. "But the progress we have made and what we have built would not be possible without those teams that used grit and determination to play the way they did – that has now led us to this season. Our goals remain the same - number one we want a conference championship, then go into the national tournament playing our best baseball and be the last team standing."
UTB-TSC received votes in the coaches' top 25 poll, a sign of building a reputation of a program that has earned respect.
Four Scorpions are named on the NAIA "Players to Watch" list in the January issue of Collegiate Baseball newspaper. They include senior first baseman Matt Ginn, senior shortstop Joel Fernandez, senior outfielder Peter Maldonado and junior transfer K.J. Semien.
"Making the postseason the past two seasons has helped us greatly," Aughney said. "The exposure really helps in recruiting, we are showing progression each year – our guys know, understand, and believe in what we are doing and in the goals we have set going into the season."
The Scorpions lost NAIA second-team all-american and RRAC pitcher of the year Danny Gidora, but Aughney has brought in several new pitchers and some offensive punch.
"I am very excited about our recruiting class, because we worked very hard on bringing in quality players and people," Aughney said. "I believe we did that – we were able to raise our talent level with quality people. Thus far this has been a great group to work with, they are hungry and are here for the right reasons."
Pitching
The Scorpions will carry 17 pitchers on the 32-man active roster.
"Pitching-wise, this is the most depth we have ever had, and we have a good mix of guys," Aughney said. "Each one brings something a little different to the mound. We have options here and guys that have really sold out to our philosophy and to what Coach (Wade) Pope is doing with them. It may take us some time to develop into roles but the beauty about that group is the unselfishness they have for one another."
The Scorpions will have 14 right-handers and three left-handers, including returning starter Zach Armstrong (2-2, 4.94 ERA) and reliever Brody Chamberlain (0-2, 5.87). Marcos de Leon, who recorded a 5-2 record with a 4.24 ERA at Wiley College in 2011, is expected to make an impact on the team as well.
The group of returning right-handed pitchers is led by returning starters Baylr Bickerton (1-1, 4.19) and Mitch Schaafsma (6-5, 5.27). Sam Buchanan and Adam Vera, who were relievers last year, are also back, along with Matt Leffler, Gilbert Hinojosa, and Salvador Villalpando.
Among the new right-handed pitchers is junior transfer Rory Young, who was drafted in the 39th round by the Houston Astros in 2009. However, Young went the college route, and played the last two years at Cochise College (Ariz.).
Three other transfers -- juniors Nick Wheeler and Kale Wierenga and sophomore Trevor Guston -- have experience at the junior college level. New right-handed pitchers out of high school include Austin Bickerton, Ryan Moye, and Albert Vallejo.
"Our transfers all have college experience and have been successful at it," Aughney said. "Combine them with our returning arms and the very talented freshman class – we have great depth on the mound that gives us many options for season."
Offense
"During our scrimmages, we showed that we have a tough line-up 1-9," Aughney said. "And each guy can drive in runs and make something happen. And off the bench we will always have guys ready to go as well, if we are able to execute offensively it will make for a very exciting team to watch."
Senior Peter Maldonado (.337) returns in the outfield, but Semien, Zach Cordia and Colby Henscey figure to be solid in the field as well. Semien and Cordia are both transfers from Angelina College, and Henscey transfers from Ranger College.
"Semien, Cordia, and Henscey in the outfield are all very good players and will help on defense and to be impact guys offensively," Aughney said.
In the infield, the Scorpions return experience at three positions. Catcher Gus Henggeler, first baseman Matt Ginn, and shortstop Joel Fernandez will provide the leadership. Third baseman Kyle Douglass, second baseman Scott Frazier, and returner Robert Garza will be competing for playing time.
Other returners in the infield include catcher Juan Munoz, catcher-outfielder Brad Regehr, first baseman Ricardo Alanis, transfer second baseman Javier Lozano, and utility player Robert Mariscal.
"They all bring tremendous energy to the infield and will provide some exciting times offensively," Aughney said.
Final Season
The university administration has announced that the 2012 season will the last one for the Scorpions baseball team.
"It has been a tough pill to swallow, that's for sure," Aughney said. "Our players came here to play ball for four years and to continue building what we have going. I don't know if we needed much more motivation as a whole, if anything this has got everyone both feet in and fighting the same fight. We will make this group one to remember – and make sure this program isn't forgotten."
Basketball
Conroy back with Vipers, with eye on NBA
PHARR — Two seasons ago, as he was celebrating the Rio Grande Valley Vipers’ championship clincher, Will Conroy declared he was done with the NBA Development League.
At the time, he was the league’s all-time leading scorer and assist leader — a distinction he admits was somewhat dubious. In his mind, he did everything he could do at the D-League level. The only thing he couldn’t do was find a permanent home in the NBA.
Circumstances have changed. The compressed NBA season has led to a flux of injuries, and Conroy, a 6-2 point guard, sees an opportunity to move up. For Conroy, the road back to the NBA starts in the D-League, and on Tuesday he agreed to return to the Vipers. He’s expected to play tonight when they play host to Fort Wayne at 7 o’clock tonight at State Farm Arena.
Conroy says this might be his final chance.
“I want to get up top and stick,” said Conroy, who played professionally in Turkey last season. “This could be my last chance to make a splash up there. We’ll see. … I really didn’t want to do it, but the bottom line is that I want to be an NBA player, so I know this is a way I can do that.”
Conroy, 29, is the league’s second all-time leading scorer (3,239 points), second in assists (1,549) and second in minutes (6,907). In addition, he holds several individual single season records including points scored (1,300), field goals made (440) and free throws made (323), all of which occurred during the 2008-09 season when he was with the now-defunct Albuquerque Thunderbirds.
“He’s a high-IQ leader type who possesses a lot of scoring and passing skills,” Vipers coach Nick Nurse said. “But, the biggest thing to me is that his knowledge of the game and his experience will shine through. We’ve got a young team. I think he’ll help these guys by just making better basketball plays.”
Conroy has played with several D-League teams, including the Thunderbirds, Vipers and Tulsa 66ers. He’s had several brief stints in the NBA, including with the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers. He was in the Minnesota Timberwolves training camp this preseason. After getting cut by the Timberwolves, Conroy returned to Seattle, his hometown, and pondered his next option. Until the Vipers began pursuing him three days ago, he was looking at returning overseas.
“We felt like we could help him, and he could help us,” said Gersson Rosas, who serves as both the Vipers general manager and the vice president of player personnel for the Rockets. “We have a young roster with young point guards that we felt could benefit from his leadership. He could also help himself out. He’s familiar with our style of play. Will is at a point in his career where I think I can help groom some of our young players.”
Rosas said the Vipers have been thinking about pursuing Conroy for about two months. Rosas was able to convince Conroy that playing in the D-League now was his best chance to get to the NBA.
“Getting him to the NBA was the biggest selling point,” Rosas said. “He loves the Valley and he loves the staff. It’s a place where it’s going to enhance your NBA opportunities. You have to be in the game, and you have to be playing.”
While Conroy returned with some reluctance, he said this is his best chance to get noticed by NBA scouts.
“I know that the Rockets and I have a relationship,” Conroy said. “I know they believe in me. I don’t know if it’s going to happen there (in Houston), but being under their system, gives me a leg up. … I love the Valley. It has great weather and great people. It’s the best D-League organization. That’s part of the fun. Getting back on the court is great. I need to be back on the court. We have a nice group of young talent. It sounds like they are moving in the right direction, and hopefully, I can be a leader in the locker room, get some wins and get called up.”
David Hinojosa covers the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4442 or via email at dhinojosa@themonitor.com.
