2019 Privateer Baseball Preview Series-Outfielders

Pearce Howard fought his way into the starting lineup and became a freshman standout for the New Orleans Privateers outfield. This year, Howard is the only returning starter for Coach Blake Dean's outfield heading into 2019.
 
The Maryland native played 58 games and started 53. He hit .288 with seven home runs, 38 RBI, and added 11 doubles in his collegiate debut season. Howard also had 20 multi-hit games including three four-hit outings. Howard also showed off a strong arm throughout the season, contributing seven outfield assists.
 
"Coming in as a freshman we weren't sure what Pearce was going to do," said Coach Blake Dean. "He got some playing time and never looked back after that. He has matured tremendously as a hitter from what I've seen. If he continues, he has a chance to go play pro ball one day."
 
Beyond Howard, every other outfielder is new to the Lakefront. Tresten Kennard tore the cover off the ball at Odessa Junior College last season, hitting .394 with 15 homers and 77 RBI. Kennard was All-Conference and All-Region.
 
Wade Raburn joins Kennard on the Lakefront after the two were teammates at Odessa. Raburn hit .384 in 27 games and scored 33 runs. He also sported an on-base percentage of .495. As a freshman at Odessa, Raburn hit .402 with 22 extra base hits, 64 runs, and 52 RBI.
 
Luther Woullard continues the string of new Privateers with impressive JUCO seasons in 2018. Woullard hit 26 doubles and scored 54 runs while driving in 51 for Jones County Junior College. He also hit at a .425 clip.
 
"Wade and Tresten are two different hitters," Dean stated. "Raburn is a true centerfielder and either a 1, 2 or 8, 9 guy in the lineup. He's a defender first and a tough, scrappy guy at the plate. Tresten is more of a corner, power guy. He reminds me a lot of Preston Marsh. With Luther, he is a guy with a lot of upside. He's been around a lot of winning programs and will be somewhere in the middle of the order."
 
Gaige Howard also comes over from the junior college ranks. A native of California, Howard was a two-year letter winner at Santa Fe Christian School before playing for Kenyon in 2017 and Cabrillo in 2018. Last year at Cabrillo, Howard hit .308 with 10 runs in 18 games.
 
Evan Francioni and Cristian Poche come in as true freshmen. Francioni prepped at Archbishop Rummel where he led the team in hits, doubles, and stolen bases as a senior. Poche also comes from the New Orleans area. He prepped at Haynes Academy and lettered in football and track. Poche was also used a little as a pitcher in the fall.
 
"Evan and Cristian are both young guys and really athletic," said Dean. "Cristian never played the outfield before. He was a first baseman and pitcher. Both are guys that if we need to call upon them we can. Gaige is one of those guys who can come in and get a big hit when we need it. He's another left-handed bat that we can mix up the lineup with."
 
Stay tuned as our Preview Series continues with a look at relief pitchers on Thursday.
 
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