Baseball's Sheridan, Waugh Named Players to Watch by OVC

MOREHEAD, Ky.-- Morehead State baseball catcher Caden Sheridan and pitcher Landon Waugh have been named Ohio Valley Conference Players to Watch, and the Eagles have been tabbed to finish ninth in preseason voting for the upcoming baseball season.
 
Sheridan, a sophomore from Thornville, Ohio, appeared in 52 of Morehead State's 53 games last season, all starts. He hit .265 with five home runs and drove in 32 runs.
 
"Caden has taken major strides receiving and leading going into the start of the season," said Morehead State Head Coach Chris Rose. "He could always hit and throw, now he's a complete player at the catching position."
 
Sheridan led the Eagles last season with 14 doubles, tied for sixth-most in the OVC. He posted a slash line of .265/.410/.361. Behind the plate last season, he threw out 12 base stealers, tied for fifth most in the OVC. Sheridan played five defensive positions last season and appeared as a designated hitter in seven games.
 
Waugh appeared in 18 games last season as a true freshman, making two starts. The Louisville native struck out 34 batters in 41 innings pitched, posting a 5.27 ERA.
 
"Landon looks to be the Friday starter for us," said Rose. "He's a fierce competitor on the mound. He may be undersized but his stuff, and competitiveness are not."
 
Waugh got his first career save pitching a clean ninth inning at Western Illinois last May 11. He held opposition batters to a .242 batting average.
 
"He attacks hitters with a sinker in the low 90's, a wipeout slider, and also defends his position," said Rose. "He will match up against any arms in our league and give us a great chance on Friday."

The Eagles are scheduled to open their season at home with a three-game series against UMass-Lowell February 13-15. Due to the winter storms that have dropped snow and ice in the area, the location of the series most likely will be moved, though no decisions have been made.
 
MSU opens Ohio Valley Conference play with a three-game series March 20-22 hosting SIUE at Allen Field at Prefontaine Park.