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The Union University Bulldogs enter the 2012 season with high expectations. Last season the Bulldogs posted a 38-17 overall record and a 16-8 record in conference play. Union enters this season as the defending TranSouth Conference champions. The Bulldogs received a No. 14 preseason ranking in NAIA and are picked to finish second in the TranSouth.
The Bulldogs lost five top players to graduation, including two starters. Head coach Brent Fronabarger and first time assistant coach Justin Hogan have assembled a talented group of players, including nineteen returning players and seven newcomers.
The Bulldogs will be led by the largest class on the roster. The senior class is made up of eleven players, including R.J. Rayborn, Kian Jost, Clint Barnes, Danny Grimm, Doug Joyce, Brett Pawlan, Tim Anderson, Jeremey Stack, Will Irvin, and Justin Bryan. Ten of the eleven are all returners and nine started a majority of Union’s games last season. Joyce was named NAIA Preseason All-American and was named to the first team all-conference and received gold glove honors last season. Stack was also named to the first team all-conference. Grimm received gold glove honors for his defensive play last season. Barnes played in 51 of Union’s 55 games and will lead the outfield in center. Jost started 45 games in the outfield for the Bulldogs and will see a significant amount of playing time in 2012. Rayborn is a returning second baseman. Pawlan returns after leading the Bulldogs in stolen bases with 18. Anderson returns for his third season, having provided quality backup at the catching position. Bryan will redshirt this year after pitching in eleven games last season. Irvin will be an influential part in the Bulldog pitching rotation after transferring from Auburn University.
The junior class is made up of seven players, five of whom are returning. Derek Roof, Benjie Fesmire, Cole McAdams, David Leisey, and Jared Davis all return from the 2011 season. Two newcomers join the junior class, including Kody Pinson and John Reed. McAdams returns after being named to the second team allconference and receiving gold glove honors. Davis returns as a top pitcher for the Bulldogs and was named to the first team all-conference last season. Roof returns and will see a significant amount of playing time on the mound. Fesmire played in twelve games last season and will be called on to pitch and play second base. Leisey played in two games and will contribute to the pitching rotation.
Four sophomores make up the Bulldog roster. Kyle Bryan, Wacey Russell, and Colin Hatch are all returners and Hunter Smith will begin his first season with the Bulldogs. Hatch redshirted last season, but will be called on to help in the pitching rotation. Bryan played in 32 games last season in the outfield. Russell appeared in 51 games and stole 14 of 17 bases and will contribute with his speed this season.
The freshman class is made up of four players. Jacob Alexander, Logan Wall, Jim Martin, and Will Embry will start their college careers with the Bulldogs. Martin redshirted last season, but will be called on to provide depth at first base this season.
