Baseball: Kyle Wooden

Chris Conner #15

    This past week has been quite a ride.  Last Wednesday we were able to knock off Greensboro and the weekend was even better.  For the first time in school history, we were able to sweep Virginia Wesleyan.  Not only was it nice to beat Virginia Wesleyan for the first time in my career, but the wins put us in the driver seat to make the ODAC tournament.  We control our own destiny and I know none of us want the season to be over just yet, so we are going to handle our business.  Fans this season have been phenomenal, but as I mentioned, the season's not over yet.  Tonight we play Greensboro College at War Memorial Stadium at 7pm and Senior Day is April 16.  I get choked up just thinking about Senior Day, so even if you don't like watching baseball, you still may want to come April 16 to see some 22 year olds shed a few tears.  

 

Chris Conner

From: Clemmons, NC

Position: Pitcher

Nicknames: Chrissy, Stretch, Arms n Legs

 

More About Chris

    This Fall, I knew who Chris was and I knew that he played baseball, but that was about it.  He always kept to himself while we were at practice so I didn't get to know him very well, and that is probably my fault.  This semester I have class with Chris and have gotten to know him and he is a real good guy.  Sometimes Chris is too laid back and calm so Bialecki, myself, and a few others have to shake him up and get him loud in the dugout during games at times.  Despite his calmness in nature, Chris is one of the more projectable guys on our team.  He is about my height and weighs probably a 100 pounds less than me, so he has a lot of room for growth.  As his career moves forward and he continues to fill-out and work hard, I can easily see Chrissy becoming a dominant pitcher. 

 

Ben Anderson #14

    What's good??  More importantly, what happened to Spring?  It seemed like a few days ago I was wearing shorts and my boat shoes and now I'm sporting the Guilford Baseball hoodie, and I'm still cold when I go outside!  Thankfully it is supposed to warm up a little bit tomorrow (high of 57 degrees) for the game against Greensboro.  We beat Greensboro College in a thriller earlier in the year, but since then they have went on a tear and it should be another classic battle.  Adding even more flavor, the game is being played at NewBridge Bank Park aka Grasshopper Stadium.  I'm getting hyped just thinking about it and ready to get this W so we can get some more momentum going into another big ODAC weekend at home against Virginia Wesleyan.  Tomorrow's game starts at 6:00pm and I encourage everyone and anyone to come because if nothing else it is a good chance to yell across the field at some Greensboro College kids. 

Ben Anderson #14

From: Kernersville, North Carolina

Position: Infield

Nicknames: Andy, Benny, Mohammad, Nappy

 

More About Ben

    I'm not going to lie, after the first couple months of school, I was still on the fence about Ben.  I wasn't quite sure what to think of the dude.  He was so laid back on the field and off the field, I wasn't even sure if I could take him seriously.  That all changed when I realized how hard of a worker he was.  I would guess that he has put on at least 15 lbs of pure muscle since he has been at school and he hasn't disappointed on the field either.  During a developmental game earlier this year, Ben was tracking down a foul ball and literally smashed his entire face on the fence.  Honestly, I have no idea how hurt he was or what was broken because he doesn't ever talk about it and didn't let the pain get to him at all.  In fact, he plugged his nose up with tissue and kept playing.  Ben definitely comes off as a goofball and always has me cracking up at his brutally honest comments and gestures, he is also a great ballplayer who has a bright future. 

Peace and Love,

Wood

Gabe Mirabelli #13

Position: Catcher

From: Massachusetts

Nicknames: Belli, Smelly, Bellz, and really anything else as long as a thick, Boston-like accent is used

 

More About Belli

    In many cases, Freshman on our team still are kind of uneasy about a lot of things.  For instance, sometimes Freshman are nervous about meeting the other guys on the team and it takes them a while to break out of their shells.  Belli's case is much different.  Belli became well - known and well-appreciated throughout the team because of his intense work ethic and dedication.  He is a super cool dude who is all about the team and doing whatever he can to make himself and us better.  I don't even think he realizes how much better he has gotten in such a short amount of time.  If he keeps working at this rate, which I know he will, he will be a large asset to the program for years to come. 

  On a side note, Belli has the largest and most decorative shoe collection known to man.  He should consider himself lucky that he does not wear as size 15 because I would be "borrowing" his kicks alllll the time.  Then again, everyone should probably consider themselves lucky (besides P, who wears a 16) for not having Mammo-Feet because clumsiness always comes with them.  Alright, well that sums up my boy Belli.  If you want to meet him, just go to the Maynard Center at any time of the day, he will probably be there.

 

 

 

Peace and Love,

Wood

Back Like I Never Left

    What up?!  With the recent launch of the new Guilford Athletics website, my blog somehow got lost in the shuffle.  Yesterday the new webpage designed a page just for the student-athlete blogs and I am fortunate that they kept me around.  The baseball season so far has been one of my more memorable ones.  Never have I been on a team that has had as much chemistry as the 2011 Quakers.  After a rocky start, we have started playing with more confidence and determination, and as a result wins have started to pile up. 

    As of today, we are 4-4 in conference.  At the beginning of the season, one of our major goals was to finish in the top 6 in conference so we could have a chance to play for the ODAC title in Lynchburg in the middle of April.  As of now, we are tied for 6th place and coming off a huge win last night at Roanoke, we feel better than ever.  This weekend we travel to Eastern Mennonite in hopes of a sweep that would move us up the ODAC hierarchy.  Although we will be missing the biggest event at Guilford (Serendipity), we know what we signed up for.  We all love the game of baseball and would not have it any other way.  Plus, I'm sure our coaches are not too upset that we are missing Serendipity and the festivities that go along with it because they are in constant fear that we will get "Serendipped"......whatever that means. 

    Within the next few days I'll start back up the player profiles featuring my teammates.  Be easy!

 

 

Wood

Hakuna Matada

     Well, I cannot begin to tell you how glad I am that this weekend is finally almost over.  As some of you may know, we lost three games in the past two days.  Last night and currently I have answered and ignored several calls from people asking about the game and sometimes even being critical.  I like to call some of these people "haters".  There's no denying that our team is 1-5.  Unfortunately, things have not gone our way this season so far, but we have only played 6 games on a 40 game schedule plus the conference tournament.  In previous years, Quaker teams have started hot but ended in downward spirals.  This year we want that to change.  We are continuing to improve and get better every day and once we start clicking on all cylinders, wins will start to show for our hard effort.  I think I can speak for myself and most of my teammates when I say that I have never worked harder on baseball than I have coming into this season.  7am Mental Toughness Days were created to make us stronger for times in the season like the skid we are currently enduring.  I ensure everyone that our team is working extremely hard and is continuing to be relentlessly positive.  Whether anyone believes in us or not, we all believe in each other and we are not worried one bit. Hakuna Matada!

 

 

 

......it means no worries

-Stay posted for another player profile this coming week!

 

Peace and Love,

Wood

Casey Mann #12

What's up Quaker fans?  First and foremost I will address the elephant in the room (our game yesterday).  This season is going to be a season where we will noticeably get better as the season progresses.  We are making strides to get to Lynchburg in April for the ODAC tournament and we will be there.  There is not one drop of "panic" in anyones body, and we all know that we are a solid ball club and will be absolutely fine.  Nevertheless, my personal performance was not suitable at all for myself, but after some extra hacks with some of the guys last night during the Super Bowl, we feel much more comfortable and ready to go for this big week ahead of us.  Now let's discuss my little friend Casey Mann.

 

Casey Mann

From: A small town in Maryland

Position: CF

Nicknames: CottonHead, Q-Tip, Blondie, Casper, Timmy Tight - Shirt, Case

 

More About Case

    Casey certainly has an infectious personality.  He is always positive about everything and anything and will be a leader for the Quakers for years to come.  An extremely hard - worker, Casey came back to school looking like a rock-solid, pasty bowling ball.  He obviously worked extremely hard in his offseason workouts and came back in the best shape of his life.  He is probably one of the strongest guys on our team.  Okay, enough about Casey's killer body and more about his baseball skills.  Case can play all three outfield positions due to his ability to track down balls and throw people out.  When Casey is hitting, he seems to always put the ball in play and make things happen on the bases with his speed.  Casey will be a key factor for this year's team and for any future team that he is a part of.

 

Not sure what he was going for here.  A dorky marine?

 

Peace and Love,

Wood

David Thomson #11

 

What's up Quaker fans?  Just another friendly reminder that opening day is this Saturday at 1pm!  Hopefully the weather cooperates and we can finish out the weekend 2-0.

 

Meet the Dawg Pound

David Thomson

From: Raleigh

Position: Pitcher

Nicknames: TomTom, Tommy, Thom Wolf, Hairy, Bushy, Tommy Hilfiger

 

More About Dave:

    Dave is my boy.  He is a crucial part of our bullpen and also has the ability to start games.  Over the past few years Dave has really increased his velocity off the bump and has just become a tougher player in general.  Off the field, Dave and I have been friends since early Freshman year when I used to skunk him in ping pong on an every-day basis.  It is amazing how much you can learn about someone from playing ping pong in a dreary Freshman dorm.  Probably the trait that stands out to me the most about Dave is the fact that he is a man of his word.  For instance, sometimes we put friendly wagers on a game of ping pong.  If one of us skunked the other (a score of 11-0) the loser would have to play the next game in his undies.  Obviously we were immature freshman and had a lot of growing up to do, but nevertheless Dave got skunked and played the next game in his skimpies.  Dave sticking to his word and being so comfortable with himself makes him easily one of the more popular and likeable guys at our school.  I can't tell you how many times someone has asked me if I know David Thomson.  Overall, he's just a solid dude who keeps it real.  Keep your eyes peeled for this Guilford rockstar mowing opposing hitters down this Spring.

 

Peace and Love,

Wood

Tyler Radford #10

    Meet the Dawg Pound

Tyler Radford

Position: Infield

Hometown: The Gas-House, North Carolina

Nicknames: Rad, Raddy, Radical, Radford Spin

 

More About Raddy

    If you can get over the fact that Raddy sometimes wears shorts that are very short, then you can appreciate the fact that he's a cool dude.  Aside from dressing like a P.E. teacher from the 1980s in pick up bball games and indoor practices, Raddy is really a phenomenal athlete.  He makes some plays in the field that leave people speechless and also has been know to swat some weak layup attempts when we are playing basketball.  Like many of our players, Raddy has improved immensely over this past year, even over the past few months.  Radford used to be the definition of a fastball hitter.  He could stroke fastballs all day, but off-speed pitches sometimes gave him trouble.  So far this Spring, Raddy has a focus on putting the ball in play and making things happen on the base paths.  With his exceptional speed, this is what our team needs from Raddy, and we are glad to have him.  Who knows....at this rate he may even become more popular and legendary than Gastonia's claim to fame, James Worthy.

 

Sunscreen!!

 

Peace and Love,

Wood

Robb Elko #9

   Meet the Dawg Pound

 

Robb Elko

From: Jersey Shore!

Position: Outfield

Nicknames: Robbie, Roberto, Red, Frecks, Elk, Spaz, Lil Rip, Carrottop

 

More About Robb:

    Freshman year I really didn't get much of a chance to get to know this little red-headed wonder.  Among the other freshman, Robb was by far the loudest person in the dugout and certainly had the most enthusiasm towards our team.  Yes, our freshman year most of the freshman were benchwarmers so we noticed little things like the loudest person in the dugout.  Anywhoo, fast forward to now and Robb and myself are roommates.  We've gotten to know each other over our careers at school and our dedication to baseball has been a big part of that.  Every Fall for the past few falls we have hit and thrown every day we didn't have practice.  One example that proves we have gotten cooler over the years has to do with his girlfriend Crystal.  Our Freshman year Robb must have thought I was the biggest sketchball because I was not even allowed to make eye contact with his girlfriend and this month I was actually allowed to sit in the same room with her!  Imagine that. 

    As a ballplayer Robb always lays it all on the line.  He works hard, is willing to move positions, and will do whatever is asked of him to contribute.  He is also a good leader, especially by example, and we always count on him to remember the stretches that we are supposed to complete pre-practice.  As a senior I think Robb can contribute and will be a big factor in our run to Lynchburg in April. 

 

I don't know what's creepier, the outfit or that dirty mustache???

 

Peace and Love,

Wood

Jay Cox #8

Meet the Dawg Pound

Jay Cox

From: Stafford, Virginia

Position: 2nd base

Nicknames: Coxie, Grumpy, Muscle Milk, Lil J

 

More About Jay

   First and foremost, Jay was my first close friend I made at Guilford and has been ever since.  Even though he isn't the biggest guy, Jay is a warrior.  He thinks he can wrestle and pin me and that's plain nonsense, but Jay is a loyal guy that I know will always have my back.   On the field he is just as tough and gritty. He has probably played the most games out of anyone in our senior class and has certainly earned it. There's never a day where Jay isn't fired up and ready to play the game he loves. His glove work is so smooth and every throw he makes to me at first is on point, which makes my job easy.  On the rare occasion that Jay does slip up in the field or at the plate I have learned just not to say anything at all because he can get a tad bit feisty. That's just because he is so hard on himself and is a perfectionist with baseball. Jay always has the mentality that he's an underdog and he will do whatever it takes to gain the respect he deserves. Despite his size, he's got some serious pop in his bat that's capable of splitting gaps for doubles and driving in runs. A true student of the game, look out for Jay Cox this season for the Quakers.

*Unlike some of my previous blogs, I will not be selling Jay's boyish good looks or cute sense of humor to females because if I did his girlfriend Nichole would kill me.

 

(Jay is psycho wearing the white Guilford Baseball Tee and he needs to chill out ASAP in this picture)

 

Peace and Love,

Wood