Texas Tech University Athletics
New Faces Bring About A New Attitude
February 25, 2004 | Baseball
Feb. 25, 2004
Maybe Scott Roland, former Philadelphia Philly, said it best when he said, "Different people, different backgrounds, different ideals...We walk in different doors at the beginning of the day, and we walk out different doors at the end of the day. But when it is time to go out on that field, we all go through the same doors."
Twenty-four new players have entered the doors of the Red Raider baseball clubhouse this season. Each of these players from this diverse group of athletes will bring their individual experiences and talents to the diamond with the plan to come together as one team.
Last season Cameron Blair played at Grayson County Community College under Coach Tim Tadlock, a former Red Raider player. Blair helped lead his team to a fourth place finish at the Junior College World Series. At the JUCO World Series he was named to both the all-conference and all-tournament teams. A feel of energy is what Blair would like to bring to the team.
"I want to bring energy to the field and the guys...for the guys to play better around me...and to get to the college world series," said Blair. He aspires to even higher goals, stating that he would like "to play in the conference tournament, play at the Ballpark (in Arlington), and get a ring."
Prior to playing at Grayson County, Blair started his career at the University of Houston where his team advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals in 2002. That season playing Division I baseball will definitely give Blair an advantage in adjusting to the challenges he faces this season.
"The pitchers get faster, smarter and more precise," said Blair. "In turn, the batters have to get faster and smarter. Everything moves faster. I've played at a D-1 school, so I've seen it before. Then I played at a junior college where it got slower. So, I know what to expect."
Blair says the level of game play at Tech and the campus are what helped him make up his mind to join the team. "The Big 12 is the best baseball league in the country and I wanted to be part of it. I've never really had a college life (where I've been). Here I do...there are students everywhere. The game is relaxed, but yet competitive."
Sean Iverson is a junior transfer from Mesa Community College where his team won the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) for the second consecutive season. Iverson was awarded All-ACCAC honors as well as all-southwest region accolades. He is currently majoring in general studies.
Marcus Lewis will be playing as an outfielder for the Red Raiders this season. He is a Prairie View A&M transfer. Lewis is a junior majoring in Architecture.
Randy Gattis will be able to perform from the mound this year as he was given a medical redshirt last season. He is majoring in M.I.S. with a minor in computer science. At Mesquite High School, Gattis was a First Team All-District selection both his junior and senior years. He was named pitcher-of-the-year in his district and was named MVP for his high school. During his senior year, he was named to the Lamar Classic and Coca-Cola Classic All-Tournament teams.
Infielder Jacob Jones is a junior transfer from Navarro Junior College where he played two seasons there. During his freshman season, he helped lead the team to a conference co-championship. Jones is majoring in business administration.
John Milton is another addition to the pitching staff. He transferred from Paris Junior College where he received First Team all-conference selection. He is majoring in mathematics.
David Steffey is a true freshman infielder who was a major standout player at Monterey High School in Lubbock. He was instrumental in leading his team to the regional finals and a sixth place final ranking in his senior year. Steffey was named District 2-5A Co-MVP, as well as being chosen for the All-City, All-South Plains, and All-State teams. He also earned TPX All-America honors. He is majoring in pre-dentistry.
Josh Brady is a junior addition to the outfield. "When you come into a new program, you want your name to stick in a good way," said Brady. In response to why he chose Tech, he stated "I liked the facilities and the campus. I felt like the coaches recruiting me were ones I could trust and the past here." He played his last two seasons at the Community College of Southern Nevada where his team won the Junior College World Series in 2003. Brady garnered second-team all-conference honors and was named to the all-tournament team.
On playing at the Division I level, Brady says "I've played two years at a junior college, and every year brings more competition and more challenges. The coaches have said the higher you play, the faster the game is. But to be good, you have to mentally slow it down." He is majoring in business. One of his goals for this season is "to win and keep the tradition and winning program going."
Joel Clark, a junior majoring in communications with a minor in Spanish, will be another addition to the pitching staff. He also comes from Community College of Southern Nevada but played his freshman season at Utah Valley State College. At CCSN, Clark was part of the Junior College World Series Championship team. While there he was also awarded Athletic-Academic Award for maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
Jose Delgado is a junior transfer from Porterville College, but spent his first season at Missouri Valley College. At Porterville College he was a First-Team Northern California selection and a Junior College All-American. He is currently majoring in marketing.
Michael Mask is a junior outfielder majoring in human sciences. He transferred from Galveston Community College where he was named to the all-conference and all-regions teams.
Blake Renner, classified as a junior, will be another player helping out on the mound. He is a general studies major with a minor in health, transferring from Cloud County Community College. There he posted numbers high enough to break the school's individual strikeout record and was an all-conference selection.
True freshman, Casey Zachry, will also answer the call to the mound. He has a unique firsthand appreciation of the rich tradition of Red Raider baseball, being the son of former All-America third baseman Jimmy Zachry who played for Texas Tech from 1980-83. "My dad played here, so I've been coming to these games ever since I can remember and it has always been where I wanted to play. What is going on here and what has been going on here, was very appealing to me." Zachry was a high school standout from Midland where his team claimed the Class 5A State Championship in 2001 and made appearances in the final rounds at regional for two years. He was awarded all-district honors all four years and all-state accolades his senior year. He was also named Most Outstanding Athlete by Midland High School.
On making the transition to Division 1 level, he says "D-1 is the highest level of energy so you want to play hard for the school, fans and players. You step your game up to the next level, you improve your game to play at that high level." He further added, "It is the best level to compete at, so I want to keep the level high and be competitive." Zachry is currently majoring in mechanical engineering.
Transferring from Cerritos Community College is Ryan Andrews. This junior outfielder was a first-team all-conference and all-regional selection. He is majoring in finance at Texas Tech.
Pitcher Chuckie Platt is a junior transfer from Alvin Community College. His team made playoff appearances both years. Platt is a human development major.
Originally from Brisbane, Australia, Matthew Coco played on the Australian National Team in 1998 during his high school career. He comes to Texas Tech as a junior transfer from Seminole State College (Oklahoma) where the team reached the regional championship both years. Coco is majoring in marketing.
Joel Evans is a transfer from Columbia Community College. He is a junior currently majoring in civil engineering. He earned Second-Team Eastern Conference honors his first season, and followed up with first-team accolades the next year. He was also a member of the first place NWAACC East Division team.
Ryan Dreibelbis is a junior transfer from Richland College, two time NJCAA Division III National champions during his time there. He was a third-team All-American and the conference pitcher-of-the-year.
Junior pitcher Brandon Alford is a business administration major from Northeast Texas Community College. While there he helped direct his team to a conference championship and a third place finish in the regional tournament.
Another athlete on the mound will be Brady Campbell, a true freshman from Frenship High School. While at Frenship, the Tigers advanced to the regional finals. He was voted all-district and All-South Plains. Petroleum engineering is his current major at Texas Tech.
New Mexico Junior College transfer, Adam Fry, will be another arm for the pitching staff. While attending NMJC, his team made an appearance at the regional tournament. He earned all-conference status his first season there and during his second season, his team again advanced to the regional tournament. In addition to being named to the all-conference team again, he was also voted team MVP.
A junior transfer from Blinn College, Barrett Pliler will also fill a spot on the mound. While at Blinn College, he played under former Red Raider Brian Roper and was recognized with all-conference honors. Pliler is a psychology major.
Michael McGowan is a junior transfer majoring in sociology. He played at Navarro College and will be another addition to the Red Raider pitching staff. While at Navarro College, his team made an appearance at the regional championship and he earned all-conference honors.
The pitching staff also gains junior transfer Dallas Braden who comes from American River. Braden says he is going to try to bring personality and a competitive attitude to the game here. He is looking forward to playing at Division I level. "This level is the best team in the nation playing against the best players. In this game everyone plays with pride and there is no one to fear but a man with pride." At American River he earned all-conference honors both seasons in addition to leading his team to the first round of playoffs for two years. He came to Tech because "it's a chance to show what you have against the best teams in the nation and the competitive coaching staff." While at Tech, he says that he would like to "perform to the expectations of the loyal fans here and get a ring."
As these new faces join those returning from last year, the Red Raider athletes will walk on the field, their common goal bringing them together as a team.
