Maryland JUCO Team Preview: Anne Arundel Riverhawks

February 17, 2021
Kyle Campbell
Maryland Scouting Director

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JUCO programs across the state of Maryland are eager to get back on the field after their season's were cut short by Covid-19 in 2020. As the calendar quickly turns and teams begin to ramp up for their season's to begin in early March, we begin our coverage of the Maryland JUCO Conference with a preseason preview of all fourteen schools. In each preview, we will take a look back at the shortened 2020 season, examine key players that return and those that have moved on or left the program, look at new faces, and finally take a sneak peak at whats ahead for the 2021 season. Today we continue our preseason previews with a look at the Anne Arundel CC Riverhawks.

Anne Arundel CC 2021 SEASON PREVIEW

Head Coach: Nick Hoffner (1st Season)
Mascot: Riverhawks
2020 Record: 6-8
2020 MD JUCO Finish: N/A
2020 DII Region XX Finish: N/A
Twitter Handle: @AACC_Baseball
CLICK HERE to view the Anne Arundel CC Baseball Website
CLICK HERE to view the Anne Arundel CC 2021 Baseball Schedule
CLICK HERE to view the Anne Arundel CC 2021 Baseball Roster

Returning Starters: 7

PLAYER	POS	GP	AVG	OBP	SLG	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB
Jon Alderman	OF	13	.250	.359	.250	5	8	0	0	0	7	5
Matt Johnson	INF	12	.185	.281	.259	6	5	2	0	0	2	2
Jaden Jones	OF	13	.250	.368	.250	8	8	0	0	0	3	4
Lennie Lehner	INF	13	.390	.419	.634	8	16	4	0	2	8	7
Cameron Rees	INF	12	.250	.306	.375	1	8	4	0	0	6	3
EJ Santana	C	10	.414	.469	.517	6	12	0	0	1	5	3
Tripp Templeton	INF	14	.276	.447	.586	6	8	4	1	1	6	7

Returning Pitchers: 4

PLAYER	POS	APP	W	L	S	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA
Matt Johnson	RHP	3	2	0	1	4.1	4	1	1	1	5	2.08
Cameron Rees	RHP	3	1	0	0	11.1	16	15	11	15	11	8.74
Gavin Umphries	RHP	4	1	0	0	9.0	10	9	6	4	11	6.00
Brad Zoellner	RHP	3	1	0	0	13.0	9	11	7	10	15	4.85

Key Losses

PLAYER

POS

AVG

OBP

SLG

RBI

None Listed

PLAYER

POS

APP

ERA

Logan Kirk

RHP

16.1

8.82

Top Newcomers

Ian Adams OF Transfer from Washington College
Preston Moltz RHP DeMatha Catholic (MD)
AJ Zeak RHP/1B Transfer Belmont Abbey

Committed Players on Current Roster

None at this time.

2021 Season Snapshot

First year head coach Nick Hoffner takes over a Riverhawks program thirsty to return back the NJCAA D2 Region XX Tournament after missing out for the first time under former head coach Chris Jenkins' tenure back in 2019. Hoffner has hit the recruiting trail hard since taking over but that won't start to pay dividends until next season when a strong 2021 class arrives on campus.

In the meantime, the Riverhawks return 13 players from last year's team. Catcher E.J. Santana and infielder Lennie Lehner returning as catalysts in the lineup that also includes fellow returners Jon Alderman, Matt Johnson, Jaden Jones, Cameron Rees, and Tripp Templeton. On the bump, righty Brad Zoellner returns as the team's ace but Hoffner knows that in order to be successful this year; he will need several others to step up in the rotation. Aforementioned returners Johnson, Rees, and righty Gavin Umphries figure to be three major contributors alongside Belmont Abbey transfer AJ Zeak and freshman Preston Moltz. Look for Zeak and fellow transfer Ian Adams to also make an impact in the lineup for the Riverhawks this year.

Anne Arundel opens at home against perennial Maryland JUCO powerhouse Harford CC on March 2nd before running through six other conference opponents in the opening month. Six out-of-conference games scheduled against Delaware Tech in March figures to be a good opportunity for Coach Hoffner to see what all of his guys can do as they hope to gel quickly without a trip south to open the season due to Covid-19.