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“Do What’s Right”

MC coaching staff returns intact, seeking the Chaps’ third straight Region V title. From left, assistants Hector Rodriguez, Chris Rolen and head coach David Coleman. (photo by www.sportsandoutdoors.guru)

Cover Story

Inside

Volume 1, Issue 1

Riding momentum built during two straight playoff runs to the National Junior College Baseball

World Series, the Midland College Chaparrals are preparing in earnest for the 2015 season. Amidst the sweaty early-autumn workouts and scrimmages, there is much room for guarded optimism.

Seven regulars return from last season’s 42-25 team that spent five weeks in the conference cellar, yet memorably rallied to finish third in the nation.

The Chaps should be strong where any teams needs to be – up the middle. Both shortstop Josh Narvaiz (.331 batting average) and second baseman Blaine Prescott (.371) return. They are backed by centerfielder Brent Stewart (.308) and fronted by versatile Bryndan Arredondo (.330) who saw plenty of action at catcher.

Other holdovers from the Chaps’ stretch drive include infielder Justin Clarkson (.364), outfielder Cade Davis (.408) and outfielder Chris Thibideau (.323), who tied a single-season school record with 14 home runs. All told, coach David Coleman, ruler of this bird roost, enters his ninth MC season with the stability of 15 sophomores on the autumn roster, but like many other clubs, searching for pitching.

“The chemistry we begin fall workouts with is a direct reflection on what last year’s team was able to accomplish,” Coleman says. “From the depths we dug ourselves, that momentum showed itself to start this year.

“We return a nucleus of position players, a veteran group of guys that has embraced the newcomers. No starting job is secure. The guys are competing for spots, but the team has really blended well, and that’s a tribute to the character of the returning guys.”

Key losses: Chris Shaw, C, who shares the school record for homers (now at Oklahoma University); RHP Brandon Courville (Kansas State); RHP Thomas McIlraith ( OU ); RHP Jayden Odell (Angelo State); RHP Clay Odell (Lubbock Christian); OF Caleb Koedyker (UT-Arlington).

September 2014

Chaps Reload for Another Playoff RunCoaching Staff Upbeat About Early Drills

Inside• Pages 2-3 – “Anatomy of a dog pile.” Chaps show that when they win big, they know what to do next.

• Page 4 – Stadium upgrade. If you haven’t seen the new-look Christensen Stadium, home ballpark of the Chaps, you are in for a treat.

Fall 2014 ScheduleSeptember9/7 – vs. LBA, 2 p.m.9/9 – vs. New Mexico JC, 3 p.m.9/14 – at Weatherford, TBA9/18 – at Midland, 2 p.m.9/20 – at Odessa, 2 p.m.9/23 – at Western TX, 2 p.m.9/25-27 – Region IV-V All-Star Games9/29 – at NM JC, Hobbs, 3 p.m.

October10/4 – at Lubbock, TBA10/5 – at Lubbock, TBA10/7 – vs. NMJC, 3 p.m.10/14 – vs. Howard, 2 p.m.10/17 – vs. Western TX, 2 p.m.10/21 – at NMJC, 4 p.m.10/23 – vs. Odessa, 2 p.m.10/25 – at Sul Ross Univ., 2 p.m.10/30-11/1 – WJCAC tourney, Midland

(All games Central Time)

Bird Seed: Speedy Prescott Eyes MC Mark for Triples

From the dugout notepad … MC’s baseball fortunes got a boost this summer when Chaps 2B Blaine Prescott turned down the Los Angeles Angels in favor of returning to

Cambridge on Garfield. The Angels drafted Prescott in the 16th round, after the

Amarillo speedster batted .371 and set the school single-season record with 13 triples. Prescott needs but three more triples – rarest hit in baseball –

to set the all-time school record.

• Head Coach David Coleman, pointing with pride at long-awaited renovations, admits he was moved to near tears when contractors poured concrete to remodel the lower deck for new seating. “After all these years, it’s actually happening!” Coleman predicts Christensen Stadium makes a likely candidate for hosting schoolboy playoffs.

• Players and coaches are not the only ones to salute the selfless leadership qualities in departed sophomore Chris Shaw. MC math instructor Michael Dixon is a fan, too. “When I first met Chris Shaw, I had doubts about whether this student was truly the ‘real deal.’ I learned very quickly that Chris Shaw was not only genuine and one of my best students ever, but one of the best people I ever had the pleasure of knowing. Harder to prove is that he is a great person. I could tell you how polite he is, about his perfect attendance, how he would help other students in class, how he would hold study hall sessions in his dorm room. I could tell you how he would help other student s with their work and it was always their work, not his. OU will be better for having recruited Shaw. Whichever MLB team ends up with Shaw will be better for having him on their roster.”

• Last year’s ballclub set MC single-season record with 726 hits. In their come-from-nowhere drive to the playoffs, the Chaps extended the season to 77 games, leading to school records in at-bats and, not surprisingly, strikeouts (403).

Bryndan Arredondo of Frenship, who entered fall drills as the No. 1 catcher, was a major contributor last year at first base. Here, he enjoys a moment of triumph with his family at the regionals in Lubbock. (photo by Editor Mark S. McDonald)

MC Staff Spotlight:Michael Dixon

Saluting math instructor Michael Dixon, Coach David Coleman says an energized faculty/staff is one of the best reasons for young ballplayers to choose Midland College.

“Mr. Dixon takes a genuine interest in his students learning subject matter, but being successful in all their pursuits,” Coleman says. “He is involved in many areas on our campus. We are lucky to have him here.”

s Anatomy of a dog pileWinning the Region V title again last May in Lubbock sparked an immediate celebration. Again, the Chaps show that when they win big, they know what to do. (photo by Editor Mark S. McDonald)

Back the Birds!

Your Ad Here.Promote your business, support Midland College baseball. Reach loyal Chaps fans, their friends and associates 7X a year. For rates, contact Editor Mark S. McDonald, MC baseball marketing – mark.mcmarketing@gmail.com.

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Dixon is just as happy to be at MC: “I had several baseball players in the spring of 2014. What I taught them pales in comparison to what I learned from them.

“They taught me to never give up and maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity. When the team was 2-14 in conference, I walked into class on Monday not sure what to expect.

“Daniel Vargas said ‘we are going to turn it around!’ I believed him, and the other players believed him. I was able to go to Grand Junction to watch the guys play in the World Series. I was proud to hear complete strangers give compliments to my team!

“Sitting in the heat among thousands, I could not help but think back to that spring morning when the team was 2-14 in conference and hearing (Daniel) Vargas assure me. Daniel, you were right.”

Dixon sees how the Chaparral work ethic spills from the diamond to the classroom.

“I always look forward to having MC baseball players in class,” Dixon says. “They never miss class. They always try. If for some reason they do miss or do not try, I know Coaches Coleman and Rodriguez have my back and the players have to run (or worse).”

Stadium upgrades – With new chair-back seating, expanded dugouts, new lighting, press box and meeting suites, Christensen Stadium’s substantial renovation is still ongoing through the autumn. When completed, the new-look ballpark will give MC a home befitting a two-time contender at nationals. (photos by Editor Mark S. McDonald)

Boys of autumn – Personal conditioning and stretching (top) and team drills such as pitchers covering first base are just part of the comprehensive early practices to prep for scrimmages to come. (photos by Editor Mark S. McDonald)

So what was it like last season to rise from the conference cellar to finish third in the nation? The face of third baseman Justin Clarkson, a key figure in the Chaps’

stretch run, takes on a look of wonder.

“We … could … not … lose,” he says, pausing between each word. “It was amazing.”

While catcher Chris Shaw, now at Oklahoma University, and other team leaders forged the path, the Chaps got production from multiple sources – Chris Thibideau, Blaine Prescott, Brent Stewart, Josh Narvaiz, even seldom-used reserve Daniel Vargas, whom head coach David Coleman called “the heartbeat of our team.”

“Our bats just clicked,” says Clarkson, a bundle of energy in autumn workouts. “We somehow knew that we were going to win. We just knew.”

Enjoy the ride? Clarkson sighs and smiles.

“Most fun I ever had in my whole life.”

Justin Clarkson

Your Publishing TeamPrinted by permission of Midland College baseball, 2014-2015. All content by publisher www.sportsandoutdoors.guru. Contents may not be reproduced without consent of the publisher.Contact: Editor Mark S. McDonald, MC baseball marketing. mark.mcmarketing@gmail.com.

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Before seats After seats

Expanded dugouts

Chaps Win AgainAt right, Midland College teammates savor one of their two victories at the National Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, Colo. The Chaps, making their second straight appearance at nationals, finished third overall. (photo by Editor Mark S. McDonald)

“We Could Not Lose”