A week in sunny Arizona will be a welcome change of venue for the Pitt-Bradford baseball team when the Panthers open their 2009 season on Saturday.

Pitt-Bradford will play six games in the Phoenix area before returning to the frigid east coast to complete its 40-game schedule.

"This is our seventh year in Arizona," said Bret Butler, Pitt-Bradford's 11th-year (221-164-1) head coach. "We're sick of winter and practicing for four weeks in the gym. It's time to get outside and we're ready to play."

Last year the Panthers were 23-21 overall, 10-8 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference and came within a line drive down the right field line of capturing the AMCC title.

"Where we were (6-12 on April 6) and where we ended up -- I was pleased," Butler stated. "We were very young last year and started a lot of youngsters. We knew there would be a learning curve, but we didn't expect it to last as long as it did. At one point we were in a downward spiral and then in the last half of the season the guys played well.

"Everybody in the conference had us dead in the coffin with one nail to go," Butler continued. "But we surprised everyone and we were one base hit away from winning the conference championship. I think this year we will reap the benefits of the last half of last year."

Butler brought in nine freshmen including Justin Smith of Smethport, David Gerke of Hanover, David Kunkle of Lower Burrell, Jordan Wilhite of Cuyahoga Falls (OH), John Bizzak of Kane, Derek Smith of Jersey Shore, Ross Revella of Youngstown (OH), Matt Durkin of Youngstown (OH) and Ryan Evans of Olmsted Falls (OH). Junior Geoff Flowers of Oil City also transferred from Washington & Jefferson College.

"We have a good freshmen class," Butler noted. "Of the nine freshmen, a good portion have a chance to letter for us. They might not be our meat and potatoes, but there are some freshmen who will play prominent roles for us."

Normally it's the Panthers' pitching that carries the team into the post-season, but this year the pitching staff is generally unproven. The starters could be returnees senior Ben McCracken of Bradford (4-4, 3.16 ERA), sophomore Cory Hochschild of Linesville (2-2, 5.55 ERA), sophomore Jeremy Grove of Reynoldsville (0-0, 5.11 ERA), junior D.J. Rose of Geneva (OH) (0-1, 5.73 ERA), sophomore Gary Schmelzer of Depew (NY) or senior Andy Lipps of Conneaut (OH) (3-3, 5.29 ERA).

"Ben McCracken is the ace," Butler declared. "He carried us the last couple of years and we figure he'll do the same this year. We are excited about our two sophomores Cory Hochschild and Jeremy Grove. They are both big kids and throw the ball hard.

Our No. 4 spot is still up for grabs. It could be D.J. Rose or Gary Schmelzer or Andy Lipps."

The relievers consist of junior James Ashley of Jefferson (OH), Gerke, Kunkle, Durkin, sophomore Dean Mosesso of Pittsburgh, senior Brandyn Austin of Watkins Glen (NY) and Lipps.

"The first guy we'll get up in the pen is James Ashley," Butler predicted. "He is a mentally tough kid with good movement on his pitches. We don't have a closer and it will be closing by committee."

Calling the signals behind the plate are junior Phil Solley of Grampian and sophomore Nick Foster of Bradford. Solley played in all 44 games last year and hit .326 with two home runs and 33 RBIs.

"Phil Solley will catch the majority of the games and Nick Foster will catch a good amount of games as the backup," Butler offered. "Phil is a strong offensive catcher who has improved defensively. He played right field for us last year just to get his bat in the lineup."

First base is a three-way battle between senior Luke Streich of Ridgway (.259), junior Justin Bifano of Shippenville (.353) and Justin Smith. In 2008, Bifano led the Panthers in RBIs with 36.

"We have three very good players and all three will see time at first base," Butler said. "There's a good chance they will also see time as designated hitters because all three can swing it."

Second base is up in the air between Revella and Derek Smith, but junior Ryan Smith of Titusville returns at shortstop and senior Josh Mesler of Shinglehouse won the third base job. Ryan Smith hit .313 and sported an impressive .939 fielding percentage, while Mesler stroked .390 in just 41 at bats a year ago.

"We're going to Arizona to put together the puzzle at second base," Butler stated. "It will either be Ross Revella or Derek Smith, and Dave Kunkle might get a little work there. Shortstop will be Ryan Smith. He's been a real good player for a couple of years now. Josh Mesler is a talented left-hand hitter and Derek Smith will back him up at third base."

The outfield could be the strength of the team as Butler can choose from junior Bart McGary of Curwensville (.360, 25 RBIs), Flowers, junior Chris Tewksbury of Wyalusing, senior Geoff Brabham of Oswayo (.263), Bizzak, Durkin and Evans.

"We have more outfield depth than anywhere else," Butler boasted. "Right now the nod in right field goes to Bart McGary, who is one of the best hitters in the league. Center field could be Flowers or Chris Tewksbury. Tewksbury is a jack rabbit and is one of the fastest players in the conference. Geoff Brabham is talented and can play all the outfield positions. John Bizzak is going to be a very good college baseball player, and we also have Matt Durkin and Ryan Evans. We have a very good outfield."

The non-conference schedule is demanding as usual and will be spliced in with the 18-game AMCC slate.

"We have only one non-conference game against Juniata before we start conference play against La Roche," Butler noted. "We also have traditional games against Allegheny College, Brockport State and St. John Fisher. We also picked up Division II Clarion University."

The Panthers were selected third in the AMCC Pre-season poll behind defending champion Penn State Behrend and Frostburg State.

"We are pleased to be picked third," Butler said. "That should motivate our kids. We expect to play in the title game again. Behrend is the pre-season favorite because they didn't lose much.

"To be successful this year we have to drive the ball offensively, and our two sophomore pitchers have to take their roles as leaders and run with it," Butler added. "We are going to score a lot of runs and we just have to mold our pitching staff."

Butler will be aided by long-time assistant Jim Colestro, and former players Bobby Wyant and Tim Lentz.