Western Nevada Community College's baseball program hasn't even begun its second season, yet, but it continues to reach new heights.
The lastest accolades for the program were provided by Collegiate Baseball, which ranked pitchers Cole Rohrbough and and Justin Garcia and first baseman Thomas Miller as among the nation's best players at their positions in the junior college ranks. Rohrbough, who has signed with Arizona State, was ranked among the nation's top left-handers while Garcia, who has signed with UNLV, was ranked among the top right-handers.
"It's outstanding for those guys," said WNCC coach D.J. Whittemore, who also said the recognition was a testament to their hard work and performance last year.
Garcia went 8-4 with a 1.77 earned run average last season while Rohrbough was 5-3 with a 3.23 E.R.A. Miller had four home runs and 32 RBI, impressive stats considering he was hitting in the Scenic West Conference, a wood-bat league that featured 12 pitchers taken in last year's Major League draft.
"I think they'd rather be recognized as All-Americans after the year than before it, but so far, so good," Whittemore said.
WNCC was the only team in the conference to have any players recognized by Collegiate Baseball. "Having three is quite an honor," Whittemore said.
Miller is also expected to sign with a Division I school this spring. "He's a better player than he was a year ago," Whittemore said.
The Wildcats will play 14 games this season against preseason-ranked teams, including two games on the opening weekend of the year against No. 2 Yavapai Community College of Arizona, the defending national runner-up.
WNCC will play Yavapai at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28 at Henderson's Morse Field. The following weekend on Feb. 1 and 2, the Wildcats will travel to Southern California to face Orange Coast College, ranked No. 7 in California, and Santa Ana Community College, ranked No. 3 in the state.
Then on Feb. 10, the Wildcats will play a doubleheader at New Mexico Community College, ranked No. 11 in the nation.
WNCC will also have eight Scenic West games against No. 17 Southern Idaho Community College, including four on March 2 and 3 at John L. Harvey Field.
Southern Idaho returns three position starters and three of its top six pitchers. WNCC returns five position starters - catcher Taylor Mieras, Miller, infielder Kyle Bondurant and outfielders Pat Grennan and Brad Carlsen. Chad Walling, who started 19 games last year, also returns.
The Wildcats also return five of their top six pitchers in Rohrbough, Garcia, Josh Brink, Stephen Sauer and Dan Grubbs. WNCC is also the defending Scenic West regular season champions, finishing with an overall 37-18 mark. But despite being the defending champions and returning more of its nucleus than Southern Idaho, Whittemore said he didn't feel snubbed in the rankings.
"It's not based on anything scientific," he said. "It's based on reputation and Southern Idaho has a well-earned reputation. When we get to that level, I'm sure we'll be recognized."
WNCC also already has three former players battling for starting spots on the Division I level. Tyson Jaquez could see time at third or first and Aaron Henry is battling for a starting outfield spot at Nevada. In addition, Whittemore said Jerahmie Libke is in line to be the starting shortstop at Southern Utah.
The Wildcats will open practice on Jan. 11 and plan to hold intrasquad scrimmages at noon on Jan. 12, 13 and 14.