The official start of the college baseball season is still several months away, but Nevada coach Gary Powers has landed two players that are expected to step in and make immediate contributions.
Junior pitcher Tim Schoeninger, a transfer from Nebraska, has enrolled at school. Also enrolling is Sean Scobee, who was a reserve on Fullerton State's NCAA championship team this year.
Schoeninger compiled a 3-2 record with a 5.34 ERA last year, but was 4-2 with a 4.30 ERA as a freshman.
Powers said he threw in the low 90s this summer with a team in Santa Barbara, and was recommended to the coaching staff by Nevada first baseman Ben Mummy.
"Ben was on that team and found out that he was looking for a place to play," Powers said. "We got in touch with him and worked it out.
"He pitched more as a freshman than he did last year. He did very, very well this summer. If he continues to do what he did over the summer, he'll be in the rotation on the weekend."
Nevada returns all three of its weekend starters from last year - Ryan Rodriguez (5-7, 6.09) , Adam Colton (4-2, 6.15) and Travis Sutton (8-5, 5.43) - but none of them were world beaters by any stretch of the imagination.
"Nobody's job is safe," Powers said. "We were 30-29 last year. We need to improve. Everybody's job is up in the air."
Scobee, a fifth-round draft pick out of Rio Linda High School in Sacramento, will be a junior at Nevada. He saw limited action last year at Fullerton, hitting .182 with a homer and four RBI.
"He'll bring some maturity," Powers said. "He'll have a better understanding of what needs to be done (to be successful). He should help our team. He struggled during the summer. He has so much up side. He has unbelievable natural power."
If Scobee can get back his stroke, he should challenge for one of the two starting spots in the Wolf Pack outfield. He's more of a corner outfielder than a centerfielder, though he could be used as a designated hitter.
Powers said he didn't make much of an effort to recruit Scobee out of high school.
"We thought he was going to sign," Powers said. "He committed to Fullerton pretty early."
Scobee played for the Carson Capitals in 2001.
Several former Wolf Pack players are faring well in the minors this season.
Chris Gimenez is hitting .273 with nine homers and 35 RBI for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the New York-Penn League. He's seen action at first base, third base, outfield and catcher.
Justin Sherman, who pitched for Nevada two years ago, is currently 7-1 with a 5.56 ERA. He was 3-2 in his first season of pro ball with the Royals.
Catcher Corky Miller is hitting .231 with six homers and 37 RBI.
Darrell Moody can be reached at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com, or by calling (775) 881-1281.
