February 17, 2009

THEIR TIME TO SHINE: THE OUTFIELD
Wright leads experienced, hungry group of outfielders

There comes a time in every collegiate athlete’s career that their team needs them to step up in a big time spot.

For the outfield of the 2009 Virginia Commonwealth University baseball team, that time is now.

Led by senior Justin Wright (Yorktown, Va.) (right), the outfield is one of the most experienced groups to take to The Diamond with three juniors, two sophomores and one freshman.

”We really like our group in the outfield this year,” Head Coach Paul Keyes said. “Each one of them has a ton of talent, but in order to be successful this year we are going to need them all to play up to their ability day-in and day-out.”

Wright is coming off his finest season with the Black & Gold, posting career-highs in batting average (.311), runs scored (23), doubles (12) and games played (42).

The Yorktown, Va. native came to VCU as an infielder but transitioned into the everyday right fielder last season for the Rams.

“Justin is one of the most potent power bats in the league,” Keyes said. “It’s tough for anyone to know that because of how big The Diamond, but it’s true. He has a ton of talent and showed the ability to be a consistent force in our lineup last year. We’re going to need him to do even more than that this year.”

A trio of juniors will share time in left field and centerfield as junior college transfer Andrew Dimino (Greenwood, Ind.) joins Matthew Leskiw (Plains, Pa.) and M.L. Morgan (Petersburg, Va.) (left).

”In order to play the outfield at The Diamond, you have to have speed,” Keyes said. “All three of those guys possess that and more. That speed transitions into the offensive side of the game because they allow us to take extra bases, bunt for a hit; the smaller side of the game.”

Leskiw and Morgan combined for 10 doubles, two triples and 10 stolen bases last season for the Black & Gold.

The sophomore tandem of Ryan Caldwell (Charlottesville, Va.) and Michael Cheatham (Chesterfield, Va.) provide the Rams even more depth and versatility in the outfield as both players can take on the challenge of pretty much all nine positions.

“Both Caldwell and Cheatham came in as infielders, but we’ve worked on their comfort level in the outfield so that we have more options,” Keyes said. “They are tremendous athletes that can contribute both on the offensive and defensive side of the game.”

Freshman Taylor Perkins (Dinwiddie, Va.) is the lone youngster of the group as his versatility will allow him to pretty much be able to play anywhere on the field. He was a star in the infield and on the mound for the Dinwiddie High School Generals, but has seen time in the outfield and behind the plate for VCU so far this preseason.

“Perkins is a great kid who is willing to do whatever the team needs him to do,” Keyes said. “His work ethic has been outstanding and he really wants to be the best at everything we throw at him.”