Collegians to open the season against the Austin Expos

The Austin Expos will utilize Seguin's Fairgrounds Park as their home field this summer. The Collegians will open their 2012 campaign on Monday, June 4th in Seguin against Bill Miles' Expo club. More info concerning the 2012 season will be forthcoming.

FAMILAR FACES

A number of veteran Collegians will be returning to play another summer for the club. Headed by CF, Markus Carr, who was the KC club's top offensive threat last year, the Collegians look to set the pace in the CCBL and make their fourth straight trip to the NBC World Series. Joining Carr will be OF, Kyle Henry (CRHS/SFA) and OF, Matt Ortega (El Paso Montwood/San Jac JC).  Also back to handle chores behind the plate and in the infield will be former Seven Lakes standout, Kyle Bacak (San Jac). Back for year two will be the Collegians infield leader, shortstop, Nathan Lucas. The veteran from Yukon, Oklahoma will be joined by another returner in 1B/OF, Garrett Burke (Kempner HS/Missouri Valley). The pitching staff will be led by a number of familar faces, including; Nathan Smego (Katy HS/Rose State JC), and Ryan Williams, (LaPorte HS/San Jac JC).

Some fresh faces to the 2012 club include: Jack Schulman (LHP) from College Station's A&M Consolidated HS. Jack currently pitches at the University of Rochester. Former Seven Lakes southpaw, Clayton Fowler, will join the Collegian staff as will Edmond, OK, RHP, Tyler Sturges. Tyler was an all-stater in OK and is a member of the K-State Wildcat baseball program. Lastly, Fort Bend Austin grad and Blinn College RHP, Taylor Cobb will toe the mound for the KC nine solidifying an impressive pitching staff.

Another KISD grad (Cinco Ranch) will come home to catch this summer. Nick Velasquez, will serve as one of the club's catchers this year. Nick plays his college ball at Angelina College in Lufkin. 1B, Bill Bay, a Cy-Creek grad, will spend his summer in the royal blue. The 6'4 Bay plays at North Central JC. Two slick fielding and hard hitting infielders from OKC's Rose State College will make the trip south to join teammate Nathan Smego on the Collegians. Ryan Bottger and Garrett Crain will bring their considerable talents to the Collegians infield where they will join former Rose Stater and KC vet Nathan Lucas in solidifying the IF defense.

The Collegians, as is their custom, will also welcome a few graduating high school seniors who will continue their careers at the college level. From Cinco Ranch the KC nine will add Clay Garrison (OF), Chris Hassold (LHP), Jack Steed (1B/RHP) and Chase Schubert (C/3B). From Coach Marc Jones' Kempner HS squad, the Collegians have secured the services of Tate Williams (LHP) and Trace Frick (3B).

"THE BAND" IS BACK TOGETHER

Returning to instruct the club this summer is a group of professional teachers who have worked together for a number of years. Jerry Miller (teacher/coach at Cinco Ranch - Scout for the Colorado Rockies) will once again manage the team. He will be assisted by his number one right-hand man, Marc Jones, who will man the third base box for the fourth straight year. Completing the coaching staff will be former Cinco Ranch HS assistant, Eric Folkerts. The "Big E", along with his great family, returned (from Atchison, Kansas) to the greater Houston area this fall. Coach Folkerts is teaching in the FBISD and is Coach Jones' pitching coach with the Kempner HS Cougars. Miller, Jones, and Folkerts, all coached together at Cinco Ranch HS in 2006 and 2007. Lastly, but certainly not least, Tim Archibald will once again serve as the club's Director of Baseball Operations. Tim is a great ambassador for the game, our area, and especially the young men who make up our ball club. He does a great job of handling all of the behind the scenes "stuff" that the club can't do without.

"DR. HOOK" joins the coaching staff!

Former University of Texas LHP/DH, Rick Nixon, will join the Collegians coaching staff this summer. Rick is a well known Orthopedic Surgeon in the Houston area, where he lives with his family. Dr. Hook, as he is known to all his baseball friends, played his college ball and received both all-SWC and all-Region honors for Hall-of-Famer, Cliff Gustafson. Dr. Nixon played his high school ball at Scarborough HS where he earned all-Greater Houston and all-State honors for the legendary Wayne Graham. It should be noted that Rick and Collegians manager Jerry Miller are life-long friends. A period that spans the majority of their lives and goes all the way back to pre-school in the Heights in the early 60's. We look forward to Rick joining the Collegians!


HOST FAMILIES for 2012

Due to the respect and popularity that our program has earned, we have had the chance to bring in a great number of talented ball players from beyond the Houston Metro Area. 2012 looks, on paper to be another banner season for the club! We will have a number of young men from various parts of the country (and beyond) make Katy their summer home next year. ANYONE interested in HOSTING a current college baseball player and possible future professional baseball player, is urged to contact General Manager, Jerry Miller or Director of Operations, Tim Archibald, for information.

Ex-Collegians-Professional Ball

RHP, Cliff Archibald (James E. Taylor HS/McLennan JC), has signed a free-agent contract with the Edinburgh (TX) Roadrunners of the North American League. The League is a high-level Independent League with six clubs based in Texas. Three teams are in the North Central area of the state - San Angelo, Abilene, and Ft. Worth - while the other three teams are located in "The Valley"...McAllen, Harlingen, and Edinburgh. The NAL begins play in late May.

Stephen Nikonchik (RHP), a James E. Taylor HS grad who pitched collegiately for Coach Jared Moon at Houston Baptist University, has signed a professional contract with the San Angelo Colts. The Colts as mentioned above, are members of the North American League. NIKE won the Collegians first regular season game and the club's first game in the 2009 NBC World Series.

The Collegians wish Cliff and Stephen the very best as they continue their baseball careers.