Aces High

Senior right-handed pitcher Brian Leatherwood led the Dukes with seven wins last year.

JMU senior right-handed pitcher Brian Leatherwood knows the drill. Being a senior comes with added responsibility, especially since he is the only senior leading the Dukes’ young pitching staff.

"I know when I was younger, I looked up to the older guys, and they paved the way for me," Leatherwood said. "I don’t feel any added pressure, but at the same time, I’m comfortable with the role."

Coach Spanky McFarland also feels comfortable designating Leatherwood as a leader. For the second consecutive year, McFarland named Leatherwood a team captain. This season, McFarland said his expectations have grown.

"I’m not necessarily looking to him for [leadership], but I expect him to be better at it," McFarland said.

Last season, Leatherwood was the team’s workhouse, leading the team with 14 starts, while going 7-5 with a 7.73 earned run average.

Among the other pitchers McFarland will be relying on this season is junior left-handed pitcher Greg Nesbitt. Last season, a line drive to the face halfway through the season kept Nesbitt from pitching as often as he might have. This year, Nesbitt just wants to move forward with his career.

"To be honest the injury wasn’t really that big of a deal," Nesbitt said. "I just want to build on last year and continue to take strides in my career."

When he did pitch last year, Nesbitt led the Dukes’ starters with a 4.55 ERA. McFarland is excited about the prospect of having a healthy Nesbitt back in the team’s rotation this season.

"Nesbitt’s the wild card in our rotation," McFarland said. "He’s been hurt but when he’s healthy he’s our best pitcher."

Two pitchers that actually benefited from Nesbitt’s injury were sophomore left-handed pitcher Jacob Cook, and sophomore right-handed pitcher Bobby Lasko. As freshmen, Cook and Lasko were forced to pitch more than they expected.

Last season, Lasko went 4-3 in eight starts with a 5.43 ERA, while Cook went 3-4 in seven starts with a 5.77 ERA. McFarland admitted that both pitchers surpassed his expectations with their play last year.

"I had high expectations for both Lasko and Cook coming in, but they really took advantage of the injuries, getting a lot of innings," McFarland said. "They’re ahead of the curve."

When the Dukes need to turn to their bullpen this year, they will once again rely on sophomore right-handed closer Travis Risser. Last season Risser led the team with nine saves and a 2.33 ERA.

McFarland emphasized the confidence he has in his team’s co-captain.

"We’re looking to him to fill the same role as last season," McFarland said. "When he comes in with a save opportunity, we feel like the game’s over."

Risser will get help in the bullpen from junior right-handed pitcher Patrick "Trick" Riley, and sophomore right-handed pitcher Clay McKim. Sophomore left-handed pitcher David Rich also will contribute, and has been named the Dukes’ game one starter.

While the Dukes’ pitching staff is certainly talented, the one thing they may lack is a true "ace." Leatherwood admitted that the Dukes’ rotation doesn’t have a true No. 1 starter, but doesn’t see this as a weakness.

"We don’t have one guy that stands above the rest," Leatherwood said. "On the other hand, we know that any one of our pitchers can come in and contribute, and that’ll help us beat some teams early and set the standard.

"Overall though I like this staff," McFarland said. "And from top to bottom it could become the best staff I’ve had in my time here."