Hoping to pump some life into last season’s anemic offensive attack, Cumberland University baseball coach Woody Hunt has been burning through his cellular minutes. A final record of 32-26, while averaging roughly 5.5 runs per game,  was enough to make the Hall of Famer more determined than ever to get his program back to the top of the heap in the NAIA.

“Looking back, it still makes me a little mad, “Hunt said, “I’ve been on a mission to get things back on track.”

For starters, Hunt is bringing in three legitimate hitters -- two outfielders and an infielder -- all of whom are coming off very productive campaign in 2012.

Topping the list is outfielder Robert Gonzalez, a junior out of East Los Angeles Community College. An All-California JC selection, Gonzalez hit a robust .393 at ELACC, going 50-for-127 with eight doubles and seven triples. The 6-3, 180-pound Gonzalez drove in 24 runs and stroked two home runs.

Florida Community College all-state infielder Josciel Veras from Hillsbrough State College in Tampa will be enrolling at Cumberland this fall. The 5-8 Veras can play either of the middle infield positions and has experience in centerfield. He hit .355 last season at Hillsbrough, going 50-for-141 with 24 runs batted in and six home runs. A product of C. Leon King High in Tampa, he belted six doubles and three triples.

Nashville native and Lipscomb University transfer Ricky Coleman will be on campus
very soon. An outfielder with two seasons of NCAA Division I experience under his belt, the former University School of Nashville standout hit .321 for the Bison last season as a sophomore. Coleman went 35-for-109 with two doubles, two triples and two homers. He drove in 17 runs and will have two years of NAIA eligibility left at Cumberland. Coleman stands 6-0 and weighs in a 205 pounds.

“I’m looking forward to getting them on campus and starting up our fall work,” Coach Hunt said,

ALSO OF NOTE -- LHP Anthony Gomez, a 2011 signee out of East LA Community College who went home a year ago, is on track to report this fall.

TOMMY BRYAN / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it