Spring Preview 2007

Max Mercy ready to kick off another season of Knights baseball. Like every new season there are some changes we’ll have to highlight to bring the Knights fans up to date with their latest and greatest Knights players.


Coming, Going and Back Again
First the fresh blood in the Knights organization. Newly signed Outfielder Erik Barber looks to make an immediate impact with his new team after being signed as a Free Agent in the offseason. The highly sought after Barber bounced around Independent leagues has now found a home with the Lightning Bolt. More on Barber once we’re able to catch him for an interview.

Going is the crafty Paul Gamm. Gamm as originally reported in earlier articles took a Middle Relievers job for the Oceanside Border Jumpers. He’ll be closer to his family and able to make it home in time for supper. Gamm finishes his career with the Knights (W-L) BA. With one memorable home run.

Back Again the Deer Hunting duo of Mike Vogel and Ryan Brooks. This dynamic duo are a force to be reckoned with, when they show up. Brooks will be the anchor of the offensive back in his 3 spot ready to clear the bases at a moments notice. Vogel packed on 10 lbs of muscle in the offseason, but hasn't lost a step according to Knights trainer Greg Anderson. Apparently the Offseason workouts with Murkey and Halvorsen paid off.

A New League, A New Team
The Knights will look to put kill their darlings of past losses with a fresh start in the LAMSBL. After coming within one game of the Championship game two years in a row, the Knights have moved into the LAMSBL to try their hand with a new cast of characters.

Coach Ryan Saul has been quite frank when talking about the new league. “It’s a breath of fresh air, nothing against the VABL they were a class organization, but we needed a change of scenery and a change of fields.” And they will get both.

The Knights season will once again rest on the pumped up, well oiled, extremely flexible arm of Tony “El Toro” Sulser. Sulser is quickly closing in on the Knights all time win record (held by Scott Frenchie Boudreaux). Sulser credits “great Knights defense” and yoga for his success.

The Knights have one of the more flexible teams in recent history. With a number of very versatile players you may never see the same lineup/defense twice all season.

To illustrate this look at the Knights depth chart.

Steiner – INF/OF/C
Vogel – INF/OF
Nelson – INF/OF
Brooks – 1b/3b
McDonald – 3B/OF
Williams – C/1B/OF/P
Murkey – RP/1B/OF
Fike – 1B/OF/RP
Sulser – SP/OF
Saul – OF/2B
Van Buren – C/3B/1B/RF
Halvorsen – INF/OF
Hurwitz – LF/1B
Barber – OF/INF
Boaz - SP/OF

Mix and match any way you’d like, this is going to be a lean and mean Knights team.

The SC Knights start their quest for the MSBL Championship on Sunday versus the Santa Fe Astros at LA Valley College. 10 am First pitch.