Stony Brook CWS Preview

Pete LaFleur — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:25:16 +0000

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Don’t Call Them Cinderellas …

Stony Brook Seawolves
(No. 4 Regional Seed, advanced through Coral Gables Regional & Baton Rouge Super-Regional)

Record: (52-13)

Conference: America East (regular-season & tournament champions)

Head Coach: Matt Senk (22nd season)

First Game In Omaha: Fri., June 15 vs. No. 2 national seed UCLA (4 CT; ESPN2)

NCAA Tournament History: First College World Series appearance, 4th trip to the NCAAs (also 2004, ’08, ’10)

Stony Brook Info. – CWS Notes | Season Stats | Roster | Media Guide | Head Coach Matt Senk

CWS/NCAA Interactive Bracket … CWS Printable Bracket … NCAA 64-Team Printable Bracket

Travis Jankowski

ROAD TO OMAHA

In our final Composite National Rankings, CB360 had projected Stony Brook as a #3 Regional seed (#44 overall) but the Seawolves were slotted as a #4 and sent to the Coral Gables Regional, where they rode ace Tyler Johnson and the clutch hitting of Willie Carmona to a 10-2 opening upset of host Miami. They then lost a tight battle with 2-seed Central Florida (9-8) but came all the way back through the losers bracket, posting a comeback win over Missouri State (10-7) and then beating UCF twice (12-2, 10-6) to advance, with Johnson returning to start and win the final game. The stage magnified in the Super-Regional series at #7 national seed LSU, but the Seawolves prevailed (4-5 in 12, 3-1, 7-2) behind timely hitting, tremendous pitching and strong all-around play. The three starting pitchers against LSU – Brandon McNitt, Johnson and Frankie Vanderka – combined to allow only two earned runs (four total runs) and nine hits in their 25 innings during the Super-Regional series.

Historical Perspective

“Back in the day” (prior to 1987), the eight NCAA regionals were geographically-based and fed directly to the College World Series – meaning that there always was a team from the Northeast and Midwest in Omaha. Since that shift away from geographically-based regionals, no team from the Northeast had reached the College World Series – until Stony Brook completed the unique feat this season. Previously, Notre Dame in 2002 had been the “most-northern” team in Omaha since Maine advanced out of the northeast regional back in 1986.

Stony Brook joined Missouri (2006) and Fresno State (2008 national champs) as the only #4 regional seeds ever to advance past the NCAA Regional round.

Balanced Attack

Stony Brook ranks second nationally in batting (.335), fourth in scoring (7.2 runs/gm) and 12th in staff ERA (2.99), plus 12th in fielding pct. (.978) – making them the nation’s most-balanced team in terms of offense, pitching and defense.

Big-Game Hitting

Stony Brook is batting .330 as a team in the NCAAs (.307 at LSU), with both of its losses in the NCAAs coming by one run. Leadoff batter Travis Jan

Feeling a Draft

Seven Stony Brook players recently were selected in the 2012 MLB draft (see player notes below).

Lords of Discipline

Plate-discipline – which can be measured by adding “free-passes” (walks plus hit-by-pitch) is an often-overlooked statistic but it often can be a telling measure for team success. Stony Brook is a classic case-in-point – as the entire Seawolves team is +42 in plate-discipline for the season (237BB+83HBP-278Ks). Leading the way are: the team’s amazingly versatile catcher and #2 batter Pat Cantwell (+33), cleanup hitter Maxx Tissenbaum (+23), leadoff batter Travis Jankowski (+11) and 6-hole hitter Cole Peragine (+11). All of the nine starters have a positive plate-discipline or are neer even (lowest among the starting-9 is Kevin Krause’s -5).

They’re HERE!! The Dugout in Omaha has official College World Series gear for each of the eight teams, including Stony Brook. If you want to be the first kid (no matter what age) on your block to have this year’s official CWS shirts, hats and more (both for individual teams or generic) click the red link and get to The Dugout’s web site!

If you’re going to Omaha for the CWS you can also visit The Dugout. It’s right across the street from the home plate entrance to TD Ameritrade Park.

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Stony Brook Roster Breakdown
• 4 Seniors … 7 Juniors … 10 Sophomores … 7 Freshmen
• Home States/Provinces – 15 from New York … 4 each from California & Ontario … 2 each from Connecticut & Pennsylvania … 1 from Pennsylvania (Travis Jankowski)

Projected Lineup

*Denotes team category leader

1. (LH) Travis Jankowski CF – 6-3/190 … Jr. … Lancaster, PA … #6 (All-American)
… .422, 46 RBI*, 78 Runs*, 109 H*, 5 HR, 11 Triples*, 18 Doubles, .636 slug.%, .485 OB%*, 24 BB, 8 HBP, 21 K, 36-42 SB*, 1E (.994)
… Supplemental 1st-round MLB draft pick (44th overall; San Diego)
… Cape Cod League MVP (summer 2011)

2. (RH) Pat Cantwell C – 6-1/205 … Sr. … West Islip, NY .. .#3
… .296, 32 RBI, 56 Runs, HR, 4 Triples, 11 Doubles, 17 sac. bunts*, .400 OB%, 15 BB, 27 HBP, 11 K, 10-13 SB
… Has throw out 22 of 30 attempted base-stealers (73%)
… 3rd-round MLB draft pick (Texas)

3. (switch) Willie Carmona 3B – 6-0/220 … Jr. … Hempstead, NY … #5
… .399, 72 RBI*, 62 Runs, 12 HR*, 7 Triples, 25 Doubles*, .702 slug. %*, .470 OB%, 35 BB, HBP, 36 K, 7-9 SB
… Batting 18-for-35 (.514) with 12 RBI in the 2012 NCAAs
… Served as team’s closer during 2010-11 seasons (3.63 career ERA, 9 SV, 23 K in 44.2 IP)
… 11th-round MLB draft pick (Philadelphia)

4. (LH) Maxx Tisenbaum 2B – 5-11/190 … Jr. … Toronto, Ontario … #8
… .389, 51 RBI, 44 runs, 3 HR, 3B, 20 Doubles, 22 BB, 9 HBP, 8 K, 0-1 SB
… National leader in “hardest to strike out” (29.3 ABs per K; 234/8)
… 11th-round MLB draft pick (San Diego)

5. (RH) Kevin Krause DH – 6-2/190 … Fr. … Staten Island, NY … #2
… .335, 40 RBI, 38 runs, 3 HR, 12 Doubles, 25 BB, 30 K, 6-8 SB
… Freshman All-American (NCMWA & Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball magazine)
… Father played baseball at Seton Hall

6. (switch) Cole Peragine SS – 5-11/170 … Fr. … Belle Ewart, Ontario … #28 (A-East Rookie of the Year)
… .314, 39 RBI, 42 Runs, 6 Triples, 11 Doubles, 16 sac. bunts, 21 BB, 9 HBP, 19 K, 8-10 SB
… Freshman All-American (NCMWA & Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball magazine)

7. (LH) Steven Goldstein LF – 5-11/175 … Fr. … East Meadow, NY … #16 (2nd team all-America East)
… .344, 34 RBI, 36 Runs, 4 HR, 3 Triples, 8 Doubles, 11 Sac Bunts, 20 BB, HBP, 19 K, 14-19 SB
… Freshman All-American (Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball magazine)
… Homered in late back-and-forth Super-Regional opener at LSU

8. (LH) Kevin Courtney 1B – 6-1/195 … So. … Lindenhurst, NY … #25
… .296, 38 RBI, 31 Runs, 4 HR, 13 Doubles, 24 BB, 10 HBP, 35 K, 1-5 SB
… Batting 9-for-28 in the 2012 NCAAS (6RBI-HR- 4 2B)

9. (RH) Sal Intagliata – 6-2/210 … Sr. … Franklin Square, NY … #14
… .264, 16 RBI, 22 Runs (34 starts), 2 HR, 6 Doubles, 19 BB, 4 HBP, 26 K
… His 2-run HR opened scoring early in Super-Regional series at LSU

Starting Rotation

RHP Tyler Johnson – 6-0/180 … Sr. … Chatsworth, CA … #44
(12-1*) 1.94 ERA*, 97.2 IP *, 48 K, 25 BB, .244 opp. BA
… 33rd-round MLB draft pick (Oakland)
… Second Team CoSIDA Academic All-American (3.71 cum. GPA, history)
… Owns 4 of the 7 NCAA tournament wins in program history (2012 vs. Miami, UCF & LSU; 2.49 ERA in 21.1 IP)
… Cape Cod League all-star during summer of 2011
… High school teammate of UCLA infielder Kevin Williams

RHP Brandon McNitt – 5-10/170 … So. … Chino Hills, CA … #20
(7-1) 2.80 ERA, 100.2 IP*, 61 K*, 24 BB, .236 opp. BA
… No-decision in first game at LSU (7-plus IP, UER)

RHP Frankie Vanderka – 6-2/205 … So. … Levittown, NY … #23
(3-3) 2.37 ERA, 5 SV*, 64.2 IP, 47 K, 22 BB, .174 opp. BA*
… Served as closer for most of season but complete-gm winner in final Super-Reg. game at LSU
… Father Frank Vanderka reached triple-A in Yankees organization (Columbus Clippers)

Bullpen

RHP James Campbell – 6-1/195 … Jr. … Bridgeport, CT… #15
(5-0) 3.09 ERA, 18 App, 7 Starts, 3 SV, 55.1 IP, 40 K, 16 BB, .204 opp. BA
… MVP of America East Tournament
… 12th-round MLB draft pick (Dodgers)

RHP Jasvir Rakkar – 6-2/200 … Jr. … Brampton, Ontario … #27
(6-2) 3.83 ERA, 19 App., 3 starts, 3 SV, 47 IP, 37 K, 18 BB, .224 opp. BA
… 26th-round MLB draft pick (Cubs)

RHP Joshua Mason – 6-2/180 … So. … Woodland Hills, CA … #26
(3-1) 3.34 ERA, 18 App., 3 SV, 35 IP, 31 K, 14 BB, .226 opp. BA
… Long-reliever who finished both Regional wins over UCF; starting RF in 2011

2012 CWS Bracket One

TEAM	CONF.	RECORD	BA	R/GM	HR/ Sac Bunts	SLG%	OBP	SB-Att.	FLD%	ERA	CG	SV	K	BB	OPP.BA
UCLA	Pac-12	47-14	.309	6.2	23/62	.401	.396	61-96	.976	3.13	2	16	416	226	.241
Stony Brook	America East	52-13	..335	7.2	37/75	.483	.414	93-127	.978	2.99	12	16	384	163	.235
Florida State	ACC	48-15	.282	6.9	43/24	.415	.406	62-85	.969	3.52	0	20	469	214	.250
Arizona	Pac-12	43-17	.333	7.5	20/68	.454	.403	81-119	.968	3.93	14	10	414	157	.263

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Texas Baseball To Retire Keith Moreland’s Jersey Number

Sean Stires — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:06:08 +0000

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Longhorns legend will have his No. 3 retired during the 2010 baseball season

AUSTIN, Texas — Former Longhorn legend Keith Moreland will have his jersey number retired, the UT Intercollegiate Athletics Council for Men announced on Thursday. His No. 3 will be retired prior to a game during the 2010 season.

“I am humbled to have my number retired by The University of Texas,” Moreland said. “To have my number hang along with some of the most elite players to ever play college baseball is such an honor.”

Longhorn great and former big leaguer Keith Moreland (shown at a Cubs event)

Moreland, a three-time first-team All-America on the Forty Acres, led the Longhorns to a College World Series in each of his three seasons (1973-75) and was one of the key components of Texas’ 1975 College World Series championship team. He was primarily a third baseman at Texas.

The Carrollton, Texas, native ranks third in the Texas annals with a career .388 batting average. Moreland also ranks second in hits (274), seventh in RBI (183) and eighth in doubles (53). During his three-year career, the Horns amassed a 160-21 record, including a 58-8 mark in Southwest Conference action and three league titles.

As a freshman, Moreland hit .349 with 43 runs, 11 doubles, three triples, five home runs, 42 RBI and five stolen bases. Texas finished 50-7 overall, 15-3 in the SWC and tied for third at the CWS.

During his sophomore campaign, Moreland batted .399 with 69 runs, 25 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 72 RBI and 14 stolen bases. The Horns finished 54-8 overall, 20-4 in the SWC and placed fourth at the CWS.

As a junior, Moreland hit .410 with 57 runs, 17 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 69 RBI and 11 stolen bases and served as co-captain for the 56-6 national championship team.

He was named to the College World Series All-Decade Team for the 1970s and his 23 career hits at the College World Series ranks second all-time in the history of the tournament.

Moreland also played football on the Forty Acres, earning a gridiron letter in 1973.

Moreland went on to a 12-year Major League Baseball career as a catcher, third baseman and outfielder. He played four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and was a member of their 1980 World Series championship team. He spent six seasons with the Chicago Cubs and helped them win the 1984 National League Eastern Division championship, the first title of any kind for the Cubs since 1945. He had stops with the San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles.

His best season came in 1985 with the Cubs, when he ranked fourth in the National League in RBI (106) and seventh in batting average (.307). Moreland hit .279 with 1,279 hits, 214 doubles, 121 home runs and 674 RBI for his career. He batted .364 in the post-season, including two doubles, one home run and seven RBI in 14 games.

Since retiring from baseball in 1989, Moreland has remained in the athletics industry. Most notably, Longhorns fans may recognize Moreland as the color analyst for the radio broadcasts of Texas Football and Baseball games.

Moreland received his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from UT in 1991.

“One thing that was really special to me was to come back and get my degree from The University of Texas. That was something I wanted to do when I started school,” Moreland said. “To come back and get my degree was probably something as special as there is compared to anything I’ve been involved in.”

Moreland and Kirk Dressendorfer were both inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame last July, giving Texas a total of seven inductees since the Hall opened in 2006. Moreland was inducted in the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1985.

(Release)

College Baseball 360 » 1970s College World Series All Decade Team

Stony Brook CWS Preview

2012 CWS Bracket One

Texas Baseball To Retire Keith Moreland’s Jersey Number