National Champ LSU And Arkansas Look For CWS Returns
2009 Eastern Division Champion: Florida
2009 Western Division Champion: LSU & Ole Miss Tied with 20-10 records
2009 SEC Tournament Champion: LSU
Banner Year: Teams outside the SEC often complain the conference gets too much respect when it comes to NCAA Tournament bids, but the SEC lived-up to its lofty status last year. Eight SEC teams received NCAA bids in 2009, with half of them, LSU, Ole Miss, Florida, and Arkansas, advancing to at least a Super Regional. Arkansas and LSU both made it to Omaha, while the Tigers winning the 2009 National Championship.
Big Crowds: The SEC drew a record of nearly 1.9 million fans to its on-campus ballparks in 2009, the fourth year in a row to draw over 1.6 million. Seven SEC teams drew in excess of 100,000 fans to their parks in 2009. The SEC averaged a record 4,689 fans per game in 2009, the third straight year to exceed the 4,000 mark.
New Head Coach: Mitch Gaspard took the reigns of the Alabama program after long time skipper Jim Wells
Ross Wilson (ESPN.com)
retired last summer. Gaspard served two stints as an assistant to Wells, including the last two seasons as Alabama’s recruiting coordinator. He was the head coach at Northwestern State from 2002-2007. Prior to that he helped Wells take Alabama to the College World Series three times as a Crimson Tide assistant.
Solid Returns: Preseason All-American 2B Ross Wilson (.353, 9 HR, 57 RBIs) is one of four returning players who started at least 49 games last year. Senior Jake Smith (.359, 18 HR, 54 RBIs), Freshman All-American Taylor Dugas (.352, 13 SB) and Josh Rutledge (.305) are back as well, as is Clay Jones (.331, 7 HR, 39 RBIs), who started just 35 games last year. The biggest loss to the line-up is OF Kent Matthes (.358, 28 HR, 81 RBIs), who tied for the NCAA home run lead.
Pitching Questions: Alabama loses starters Austin Hyatt (8-3, 3.76 ERA) and Del Howell (5-3, 6.33 ERA). Those two combined to make 26 starts & tossed three of the staff’s four complete games. With nine starts last year soph. LHP Adam Morgan (4-2, 4.17 ERA) is the team’s most experience returning starter. Redshirt soph. reliever Tyler White (1-0, 2.28 ERA, 2 SV) and Jr. Nathan Kilcrease (4-4, 4.11 ERA, 2 SV) are among the top returning relievers.
All-American Trio: Juniors Brett Eibner (.231, 12 HR, 54 RBIs) & Andy Wilkins (.319, 19 HR, 58 RBIs) and sophomore Zach Cox (.266, 13 HR, 39 RBIs) have all received preseason All-American recognition. Arkansas, LSU and Texas are the only three schools in the country to have three players receive All-American recognition. Cox was a Freshman All-American last year as well.
Two-Way Duo: Eibner and Cox are pitchers as well. Eibner (5-5, 5.00 ERA) tied a team-high with 17 starts last year with the staff’s only complete game. Cox (5-1, 4.82 ERA, SV) mad all 14 of his appearances out of the bullpen.
Plenty More Pitching: Senior Mike Bolsinger (6-4, 2.99 ERA, 2SV) is among the top returning pitchers to the Razorback staff. He picked-up the only save at last year’s College World Series. Drew Smyly (3-1, 4.66 ERA, 14 starts). Dallas Keuchel (9-3, 3.92 ERA) and Stephen Richards (6-2, 2.19 ERA, 9 SV) are the biggest staff losses
Notable Drought: Since going to the NCAA Tournament five times from 2000-2005 Auburn has missed the tourney the last four years.
Mound Presence: Junior LHP Grant Dayton (2-6, 5.92 ERA) and soph. Jon Luke Jacobs (3-4, 5.74 ERA) are back to lead the weekend rotation. They are expected to be joined by 6′7 lefty Cole Nelson, a junior college transfer who was drafted in the 48th round by Tampa Bay last year. Austin Hubbard (3-3, 4.20 ERA, 12 SV) and Bradley Hendrix (7-3, 5.09 ERA) are back to lead the bullpen. Hendrix’s 7 wins led the staff as did his 24 relief appearances. Another juco transfer, Stephen Kohlscheen, helped lead Cowley College to last year’s Junior College World Series.
A Lot In The Line-Up: Auburn returns seven of its top nine hitters from 2009. Justin Hargett led the Tigers in average (.330) and on-base percentage (.426). He’s joined by Brian Fletcher (.301, 17 HR, 54 RBIs), Casey McElroy (.286, 7 HR), Hunter Morris (.282, 12 HR), and Tony Caldwell (.281, 9 HR).
No Mummey…For Now: Auburn recently announced that centerfielder Trent Mummey (.289, 15 HR) will miss at least a month with a severely sprained right ankle. Mummey had 17 of Auburn’s 40 stolen bases last year. He was also named to the SEC All-Defensive Team. Junior college transfer Justin Fradejas will fill-in until he returns.
Desert Challenge: The Tigers go to Tempe, AZ for a 3-game series with Arizona State March 12-14.
LSU Line-Up Losses: The Tigers lose four of their top five batters from last year’s National Championship team. D.J. LeMahieu (.350, 12 SB), Ryan Schimpf (.336, 22 HR, 70 RBIs, 18 SB), Sean Ochinko (.333, 9 HR), and Jared Mitchell (.327, 11 HR, 36 SB) are all gone.
Top Bats Back: LSU still returns the like of Sr. Blake Dean (.328, 17 HR, 71 RBIs), Tyler Hanover (.321), SEC Tournament MVP Mikie Mahtook (.316, 7 HR), Leon Landry (.300, 12 HR), and slick fielding Austin Nola, who didn’t join the starting line-up until LSU’s 40th game of the season last year. He did not commit an error at shortstop in 24 chances at the College World Series.
On The Hill: While they lose top overall pitcher Louis Coleman (14-2, 2.93 ERA, 142 K), the Tigers return several top notch pitchers to carry the load. The group is led by junior Anthony Ranaudo (12-3, 3.04, 159 K). He’s joined by Austin Ross (6-8, 5.18 ERA), soph.closer Matty Ott (4-2, 2.68 ERA, 16 SV), Daniel Bradshaw (4-0, 3.04 ERA), Paul Bertuccini (2-0, 3.86 ERA, 3 SV), and Chris Matulis (6-2, 4.82 ERA).
On The Bayou: LSU plays its first 21 games of the season in Louisiana. The only road game is at Northwestern State in Natchitoches.
Dealing With Draft Losses: After setting a school record with 20 wins in SEC play Ole Miss had 11 players drafted last year, including five underclassmen who signed pro contracts. Jordan Henry (.343, 38 SB), Logan Power (.311, 7 HR, 20 doubles) and Kyle Henson (.338, 8 HR) are the top losses in the line-up. Scott Bittle (5-2, 2.17 ERA), Phillip Irwin (8-3, 3.84 ERA), Brett Bukvich (9-3, 4.42 ERA), and Nathan Baker (4-3, 3.63 ERA) are all gone from the pitching staff.
Matt Smith (secsports.com)
Bats That Are Back: The good news for the Rebles is three players shared the team lead with 8 home runs, and two of those players, Matt Smith (.336, 8 HR, 59 RBIs) and Matt Snyder (.298, 8 HR, 31 RBIs) are back this year. Smith was the team RBI leader. Snyder and his twin brother, Mike, are expected to share the corner infield spots. Tim Ferguson (.358, 18 SB) and Zac Miller (.341) are among other top returnees to the line-up.
Mound Returnees: Junior LHP Drew Pomeranz (8-4, 3.40 ERA) will lead the weekend rotation. Closer Jake Morgan (4-1, 3.46 ERA, 9 saves) suffered an injury in the off-season, so David Goforth (1-1, 2.80 ERA, 3 SV) is expected to move into that role. Senior Rory McKean (5-1, 4.53 ERA) is among a handful of other experience relievers who return.
Welcome Back?: The Rebels will host a 3-game series with reigning Big East Champion Louisville March 12-14. The Cardinals are coached by former Ole Miss assistant Dan McDonnell and have been to Super Regionals in two of the last three seasons.
Dogs Absent: Since making NCAA Tournament appearances from 2003-2007, including the ‘07 CWS, Mississippi State has missed the last two NCAA Tourneys. In fact, the Bulldogs have not been to the SEC tournament for the last two years either.
Big Dogs Back: 1B Connor Powers (.301, 19 HR, 63 RBIs) and DH Ryan Duffy (.339, 10 HR, 33 RBIs) were MSU’s top home runs hitters last year, and they’re both back to lead the offense. Jet Butler (.335) and Russ Sneed (.333, 9 HR, 43 RBIs) return as well. Leading hitter Scott DeLoach (.353) and Grant Hogue (.315, 29 SB) are the biggest offensive losses.
Hard Working Dogs: Nick Routt (5-3, 4.15 ERA, 4 CG) and Tyler Whitney (3-4, 5.18 ERA, CG), who accounted for 24 of the staff’s 54 starts and all five complete games last year, are both back. The Bulldogs lose saves leader Chad Crosswhite (6 SV, 7.38 ERA). Routt is expected to lead the rotation, while Whitney could move to the closer role. Lefty junior college transfer Trey Johnson and freshman Chris Stratton could factor in the weekend rotation. Johnson hit 19 HR as a two-way player last year at Blinn (TX) CC.
Special Delivery: For the second straight year Mississippi State players hand delivered tickets in neighborhoods throughout Starkville to local fans who ordered 2010 season tickets. Head coach John Cohen started the program when he was the head coach at Kentucky.
2010 SEC Western Division Predictions
Top Western Division Player: Andy Wilkins – Arkansas
Top Western Division Pitcher: Anthony Ranaudo – LSU
Western Division Champion: LSU
CLICK HERE to see the Eastern Division Preview & Predictions
Louisville enters 2010 with two straight Big East Tournament championships, and the Cardinals are fresh off their second Super Regional appearance in the last three years. UL has a loaded line-up back this season, but teams with veteran offenses like West Virginia and Connecticut along with talented pitching staffs at USF and Notre Dame are poised to challenge as well.
Ten Big East teams will take part in the 2010 Big Ten-Big East Baseball Challenge, hosted by the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission. The second annual event takes place Feb. 26-28. For tickets visitwww.BigTenBIGEASTChallenge.com.
Thefts Are Down: After stealing 130 and 133 bases in 2007 and 2008, respectively, the Bearcats swiped just 33 bases last year. The only Big East team with fewer stolen bases was West Virginia with 23.
Long Gone Spina: Cincinnati has a big hole to fill in the middle of the order with the loss of Mike Spina (.342, 23 HR, 69 RBIs). The third baseman was taken in the 11th round of last year’s MLB Draft by the Oakland A’s. His home run total was second in the Big East to Louisville’s Chris Dominguez (25). Spina had an 1.121 OPS last year.
More Losses: The Bearcats also lose Lance Durham, whose .427 average was the second-best in the conference last year. Durham was drafted in the 14th round by Toronto last June. His 99 hits set the UC single-season record formerly held by Boston Red Sox infielder Kevin Youklis. Cincinnati also loses its top pitcher, Jake Geglein (6-1, 2.97 ERA, 9 SV), who signed a free agent contract with the Texas Rangers. Geglein was the only Bearcat pitcher with either a winning record or a sub-3.00 ERA last year.
Across The Pond: Cincinnati head coach Brian Cleary served as the pitching coach for the British National Baseball Team at the 2009 Baseball World Cup. He served in the same role when the team won the silver medal at the 2007 European Championships.
Hungry Huskies: UConn returns eight batters from a scrappy line-up who hit .301 or better last year, including George Springer (.358, 16 HR, 57 RBIs, 1.133 OPS), Mike Nemeth (.346, 6 HR, 47 RBIs, 22 doubles), Pierre LePage (.340, 1 HR, 38 RBIs), and Mike Olt (.301, 8 HR, 40 RBIs). LePage helped the Bourne Braves win the Cape Cod League Championship last summer. The biggest loss is that of Pete Fatse (.354, 11 HR, 54 RBIs). CLICK HERE to listen to a podcast interview with LePage.
Husky Hurlers: The Huskies lose key relievers David Erickson (3.21 ERA, 12 SV), Dusty Odenbach (2-3, 3.34 ERA) and Dennis Accomando (1-1, 3.46 ERA), who combined to make 75 relief appearances last year. They also lose John Folino whose six wins led the staff. Top returnees to the staff include Soph. Scott Oberg, who was 4-0 with a team-best 1.78 ERA, Matt Barnes (5-3), and Elliott Glynn (5-4, 4.76 ERA). Glynn led the team with 12 starts and also hit .266 while making 24 starts as an outfielder.
Coast To Coast: After opening its season in Florida at the Big Ten/Big East Challenge UConn heads to California for a four-game series with Cal State Northridge followed by a game at USC. The Huskies then play Tennessee, Marshall and Ohio State in Knoxville, TN.
Key Returns: Georgetown returns six of its top seven batters from a year ago. Junior Erick Fernandez led the team in average (.349, doubles (16) and OPS (.970). The catcher also hit five home runs. Fellow junior Sean Lamont hit just .267, but he smacked a team-best 14 home runs while driving-in 50 runs. The players Georgetown returns this year combined to hit 37 of the club’s 45 home runs in 2009.
Pitching: Senior Tim Adleman(4-8, 5.40 ERA) is the only returning weekend starter from 2009. His four wins were a team-high. The Hoyas do return a quartet of solid relievers, Pablo Vinent (0-1, 4.24 ERA), Bobby Kirby (1-1, 5.09 ERA), Billy Concannon (1-0, 5.12), and Tommy Isaacs (2-2, 5.40 ERA), who combined to make 55 appearances with six starts and three saves last year. They’ll likely take-on more significant roles with the departures of Jimmy Saris and Will Harris who combined to make 24 starts.
No Challenge: For the second straight year Georgetown will not participate in the Big Ten/Big East Challenge.
Cardinals Trending Hot: Louisville’s 135 wins over the last three seasons rank sixth in the nation. The Cardinals have made three straight NCAA appearances, including two Super Regionals and a College World Series trip, under head coach Dan McDonnell.
Phil Wunderlichappearances with two Super Regionals and a 2007 College World Series appearance during his tenure. Cal State Fullerton beat Louisville last year in the Fullerton Super Regional to advance to Omaha.
Loaded Line-Up: The Cardinals return seven of eight everyday players from last year’s Super Regional squad. All-American junior Phil Wunderlich (.367, 18 HR, 68 RBIs, 1.113 OPS) leads the group of returnees. Seniors Andrew Clark (.350, 9 HR, 55 RBIs) and Adam Duvall (.328, 11 HR, 51 RBIs, 12 SB) are back as well.
Ready To Return: Outfielder Stewart Ijames is back after last season with a shoulder injury. Ijames was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American in 2008 after hitting .351 with 8 home runs, 11 doubles and 39 RBIs. He led the Coastal Plain League with 12 home runs for the Thomasville HiToms last summer.
Pitching Prowess: Louisville returns 12 of the 15 pitchers who saw action last year, but they do lose their ace, Justin Marks (11-3, 3.77 ERA, 129 K in 105 IP). The left was taken by Oakland in the 3rd round of last year’s MLB draft. Dean Kiekhefer (6-5, 5.00 ERA), Gabriel Shaw (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 3 SV), Tony Zych (6-2, 3.25 ERA, 2 SV) and Thomas Royse (3-2, 3.48 ERA, 2 SV) lead the group of returnees.
Gone But Not Forgotten: The Cardinals also lose 6′4, 240 lb. Chris Dominguez (.345, 25 HR, 82 RBIs) who hit 61 home runs with a school record 218 RBIs in his three-year career (he only played three games in 2006 due to a broken forearm). He was taken in with the 86th overall pick by San Francisco in last year’s draft. His 25 home runs in ‘09 are a single-season school record, while his 61 career long balls are second in the Louisville record books.
Reunion Time: Louisville plays a 3-game series in Oxford, MS vs. 2009 Super Regional team Ole Miss March 12-14. McDonnell was a Rebel assistant for five seasons prior to his current tenure.
Line-Up Losses: The Irish lose their top three hitters, including their top two run producers from 2009. CF A.J. Pollock (.365, 10 HR, 52 RBIs, 21 SB) was taken by Arizona with the 17th overall pick in last year’s MLB draft. He was the highest Irish player drafted since 1965. SS Jeremy Barnes (.353, 15 HR, 70 RBIs) was drafted in the 11th round by Philadelphia. Barnes was Notre Dame’s RBI leader in 3 of his 4 years. Meanwhile, OF Golden Tate (.329, 45 R, 13 SB), who won the Biletnikoff Award on the football field last fall, won’t play baseball this year to prepare for April’s NFL Draft.
Solid Nucleus: Despite the significant losses Notre Dame still returns six players who hit .301 or better in 2009,
Cole Johnson
including Jr. INF Mick Doyle (.327) and Sr. OF David Mills (.325), who was also 2-1 with a save as a relief pitcher.
Plenty Of Pitching: Virtually every significant pitcher from 2009 is back this season, including the entire weekend rotation of Jr. Cole Johnson(7-3, 4.47 ERA), Jr. Brian Dupra (6-5, 3 CG) and Sr. Eric Maust (6-3, 4.94) who has also doubled as a punter on the Irish football team. Relievers Will Hudgins (2-0, 3.65 ERA, 3 SV), Todd Miller (1-2, 5.40 ERA, 5 SV) and Ryan Richter (5-2, 3.85 ERA) return as well. RHP Ryan Sharpley is also back after missing all of 2009 due to injury.
Addition By Addition: Collegiate coaching veteran Dave Dengler joins the Irish staff as the pitching coach for 2010. As a head coach he led Linn-Blinton CC and Yavapai JC to a combined five Junior College World Series appearances, including the 1993 NJCAA National Championship (Yavapai). Dengler was also the head coach at Portland State for four years before the program was disbanded. In his 23 years as a college coach Dengler had 23 pitchers, including World Series MVP Curt Schilling, selected in the MLB Draft.
Needed Facelift: The Big East baseball facility that was most in need of an upgrade will finally get one. Pittsburgh announced a “generous and substantial gift” last fall for the construction of the Peterson Sports Complex, which will be built on 12 acres of Pitt’s upper campus. The complex will benefit baseball, softball and soccer. Baseball upgrades include a press box, team dugouts, synthetic playing surface, practice areas, and lighting. Completion is scheduled to be ready for next season.
So Long Sedon: Junior college transfer Chris Sedon made the most of his only year at Pitt. The second baseman led the Panthers in average (.398), HR (22), RBIs (62), Slg% (.796), OBP (.449), and SB (19). He signed professionally after being taken by Detroit in the 10th round of last year’s MLB Draft.
Panthers Back: Pitt returns five players, Kevan Smith (.363), Danny Lopez (.323), John Schultz (.319), Joe Leonard (.316), and Frank Mercurio (.306), who will try to make-up for the loss of Sedon’s production. However, their combined home run total was just 19, while Leonard’s 35 RBIs led the group. The Panthers also return two-thirds of their weekend rotation with Corey Baker (6-3, 5.91 ERA) and David Kaye (3-4, 5.74 ERA). They combined for three of the staff’s four complete games.
Un-Challenged: For the second straight year Pittsburgh will not compete in the Big Ten/Big East Challenge. The Panthers open their season with three games at Wofford and then play Bradley, Memphis and Toledo at the Service Academy Classic in Memphis, TN Feb. 26-28.
King Of The Hill: Entering his 27th season at Rutgers, Fred Hill is easily the longest tenured head coach in the Big East. Hill will become just the third person to have his jersey retired at Montclair State at a Feb. 13 ceremony. He
Jaren Matthews
started his head coaching career there and guided Montclair to the 1983 NCAA Division III World Series. Hill enters 2010 just 20 wins away from 1,000. Hill’s brother Brian is currently an assistant coach for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, and his son, Fred, is the head coach of the Rutgers men’s basketball team.
A Lot In The Line-Up: The Scarlet Knights return eight position players, a DH and 10 of their top 11 hitters from last year’s team. Michael Lang (.343, 8 HR, 38 RBIs, 10 SB and Jaren Matthews (.328, 6 HR, 28 RBIs, 10 SB) head the pack.
Mound Presence: 2009 Cape Cod All-Star Casey Gaynor (2-9, 5.54 ERA) is among the pitching staff’s top three pitchers who return. Gaynor was the pitching staff’s workhorse, with the team’s only complete game. Willie Beard (0-2, 2.28 ERA) thrived as the team’s closer with 8 saves as a freshman, while senior RHP Matt Giannini returns after missing 2009 due to injury.
Challenges Abound: Rutgers makes its Big Ten/Big East Challenge debut this year, but it has a pair of challenges sandwiched around the second weekend of the season. The Scarlet Knights open 2010 with three games vs. the Miami Hurricanes in Coral Gables, FL and then face another ACC power with three more games vs. Georgia Tech in Atlanta March 5-7.
All In The Family: Head coach Rob Sheppard’s brother, Mike Sheppard, Jr., is the head baseball coach at Seton Hall Prep. Their father, Mike Sheppard, Sr., coached the Pirates from 1974-2003.
All In The Family II: Seton Hall volunteer assistant Zach Porcello’s younger brothers, Rick and Jake Porcello, both played for Mike Sheppard, Jr. at Seton Hall Prep. Rick Porcello was a first round draft pick by the Detroit Tigers in 2007. He was 14-9 with a 3.96 ERA for the Tigers last year. Jake Porcello is now a freshman pitcher on the Seton Hall roster.
Tale Of The Tape: The Pirates lose their top two hitters, Matt Smedberg (.382, 2 HR, 26 RBIs) and Chris Affinito (.324, 9 HR, 50 RBIs), as well as two of their weekend starters, Sean Black (4-6, 3.99 ERA, 2 CG) and Keith Cantwell (6-3, 3.48 ERA, 5 CG), from last year’s team. Their top returners are Sr. OF Michael Rogers (.299, HR, 23 RBIs), Jr. SS A.J. Rusbarsky (.271, 1 HR, 20 RBIs) andJr. RHP Joe DiRocco (4-3, 4.46 ERA, 2 CG).
Texas 3-Step: Seton Hall opens the season with a 3-game series in College Station, TX vs. Texas A&M.
Red, White & Blue: Head coach Ed Blankmeyer will serve as an assistant coach this summer for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. The 2010 schedule is highlighted by the V FISU World University Championships in Japan.
Greg Hopkins
Red Storm Regulars: St. John’s returns five players who made at least 34 starts and hit .331 or better. Soph. OF Jimmy Parque (.360, 5 HR, 61 RBIs) and Jr. third baseman Greg Hopkins (.349, 7 HR, 45 RBIs). They lose Tim Morris (.415, 12 HR) and Matt Kemp (.379, 16 SB) who were selected in the 11th and 19th rounds, respectively, in last year’s MLB Draft.
Plus Pitching: The Red Storm returns a group of pitchers that accounted for 44 of the staff’s 52 starts last year, including Nick Cenatiempo (5-3, 7 starts), Eddie Medina (5-3, 4 starts, 1 SV), Brendan Lobban (4-2, 7 starts) and Bruce Kern (5-4, 11 starts) who had the team’s only complete game. Senior closer Ryan Cole (2-0, 3.49 ERA, 5 SV) is back as well.
Last Go ‘Round: St. John’s opens its season with a 3-game series at New Orleans. This will be the Privateers’ last season of Division I competition as they transition to Division III in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Big Plans: Plans are in the works for a new baseball stadium at USF. The stadium is part of a $30 million facilities upgrade that will benefit other sports as well. The overall capacity of the stadium is expected to exceed 3,000 and is being designed to accommodate additional seating that will enable USF to host NCAA Regionals and Super Regionals.l The new home plate and press box area will be built on what is currently the right field foul pole area of Red McEwen Field.
Sophomore Slump: Junior OF Ryan Lockwood will look for a big bounce-back season in 2010. He hit .415 and
Randy Fontanez
was named Collegiate Baseball’s 2008 National Freshman of the Year, but slumped to just a .289 average last year.
The Champ Is Back: Lockwood and 2009 Big East batting champion (conference games only) Junior Carlin (.384 overall/.471 Big East games)) are among five line-up regulars who return in 2010. 57 of Carlin’s hits last year were singles, which contributed to USF’s .441 ranking 8th in the 12-team Big East.
Great Expectations: League coaches named Jr. RHP Randy Fontanez (7-3, 3.09 ERA, 6 CG) the Preseason Big East Pitcher of the Year. Fontanez made 13 starts in 2009, while holding opponents to a .250 average. He tossed six of the staff’s eight complete games. USF also returns starters Derrick Stultz (5-4, 4.48 ERA) and Teddy Kauffman (3-5, 5.86 ERA) as well as reliever Kevin Quackenbush (2-2, 3.94 ERA, 6 SV).
Hail Szczur: OF/C Matt Szczur (pronounced like Julius Caesar) helped lead the Villanova football team to the 2009 FCS Division I National Championship in December. He was named both the CAA’s Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Year this for the season. The junior ran for 810 yards and 10 touchdowns, passed for 22 yards and 2 TDs, averaged 27.2 yards on 30 kickoff returns, and had 51 catches for 610 yards and 4 more TDs in 2009. Szczur missed his freshman baseball season due to injury, but he led the Wildcats with a .346 average and 18 stolen bases last year. CLICK HERE to listen to a recently recorded podcast interview with the two sport star.
More Experience: Szczur is one of five returning position playing starters for VU, including Jr. INF David Koczirka (.340, HR, 39 RBIs) 12 of 14 pitchers who saw action for the Wildcats last year are back as well. The group combined to make all 50 starts in 2009. Senior RHP Brian Streilein (5-8, 5.46 ERA, 2 CG) leads the rotation, while Jr. LHP Mike Francisco (1-2, 4.24 ERA, 4 SV) leads the relief corps.
Challenge Debut: Villanova opened the 2009 season by playing eventual national champion LSU in the first games in the new Alex Box Stadium, making this year the team’s debut in the Big Ten/Big East Challenge.
Dinging It: The Mountaineers led the Big East in batting average (.360), slugging percentage (.564), on-base percentage (.443), and runs scored (525) in 2009.
Dan DiBartolomeo
.400 Or Bust: Two of the top three hitters in the Big East return to lead the West Virginia offense this year. Dan DiBartolomeo’s .439 overall average led the conference, while Jedd Gyorko’s .421 avg. was third. Gyorko is a 2009 Cape Cod League All-Star who was the 2008 Big East Freshman of the Year. Big East coaches voted him the 2010 Preseason Player of the Year. CLICK HERE to listen to a podcast interview with Gyorko.
Line-Up Losses: WVU loses its top two home run hitters in Justin Parks and Austin Markel who hit 12 and 15 HR, respectively last year.
Mound Men: Weekend starters Jr. RHP Jarryd Summers (7-3, 3.06 ERA, 2 CG) andLHP Jonathon Jones (6-2, 6.57 ERA) are joined by workhorse closer Chris Enourato (6-2, 3.66 ERA, 6 SV) as the top returnees on the pitching staff. Enourato made 20 relief appearances last year and averaged more than two innings per outing. The senior has been named to the NCBWA’s Preseason Stopper of the Year watch list.
Phantom Starts: WVU pitchers Jarryd Summers, Jonathon Jones and Billy Gross were credited with a combined 15 “starts” on the offensive scorecard last season, but none of them had an at-bat or any offensive stat during the year. Head coach Greg Van Zant’s custom is to substitute his DH for the pitcher when that spot in the batting order is due at the plate for the first time in a game.
2010 Big East Baseball Predictions
Player of the Year: Phil Wunderlich – Louisville
Pitcher of the Year: Jarryd Summers – West Virginia
Cards to play 31 home games, 41 games vs. BCS Conference foes & 12 games against 2009 NCAA teams
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville baseball head coach Dan McDonnell released the Cardinals’ 2010 schedule on Thursday and it includes 31 games at Jim Patterson Stadium, 41 games against BCS Conference schools and 12 games against NCAA Regional teams from last year.
The Cards, which won swept the BIG EAST Conference and regular season titles and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional in 2009, will play seven games against Big Ten competition and six games against Southeastern Conference teams, including a three-game series at reigning SEC champion Ole Miss.
Louisville Head Coach Dan McDonnell
“The 2010 schedule features some great opponents in some great venues that should really challenge our squad each week,” said McDonnell, who is 135-63 in three seasons in Louisville, including three straight NCAA appearances and back-to-back BIG EAST Tournament titles in 2008 and 2009. “As in years past, we continue to put an emphasis on playing against the best competition in the nation by scheduling more than 40 games against teams from the BCS conferences, as well as numerous NCAA Regional caliber squads. And as always, we’ve made it a priority to take advantage of having one of the top home facilities in the nation by playing more than 30 games at Jim Patterson Stadium.”
Louisville will open the 2010 season at home on Feb. 19-21 with a three-game series against reigning Mid-American Conference champion Bowling Green at Jim Patterson Stadium and will follow that with a mid-week game at home against Morehead State on Feb. 23.
The Cardinals will then take to the road for the first time for their first appearance in the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge hosted by St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission on Feb. 26-28. Louisville will play Michigan on Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Dunedin Stadium, spring training home for the Toronto Blue Jays, in the only night game on the opening day of the event, which will feature 10 games each day matching up teams from the Big Ten and BIG EAST.
Following the opener, the Cardinals will face Michigan State on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 4:30 p.m. ET at Jack Russell Stadium, the longtime spring headquarters for the Philadelphia Phillies, while Louisville’s finale will be against Minnesota, a 2009 NCAA Regional squad, on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. ET at the Naimoli Complex, former spring training host for the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Cards will return home from Florida to host a five-game homestand at Jim Patterson Stadium. Louisville will host a mid-week game against Evansville (March 3), a three-game weekend series with NCAA Division I independent Le Moyne College (March 5-7) and a mid-week game against Indiana (March 9) in a rematch of the last year’s NCAA Regional first round game in Louisville. The Cardinals will play a return game against the Hoosiers on March 30 in Bloomington.
U of L will then return to the road for a three-game series in Oxford, Miss., against Ole Miss on March 12-14 in a match-up of reigning conference championship programs. It will also be a reunion for McDonnell, who served as an assistant coach at Ole Miss from 2001-06, and Cards’ senior first baseman Andrew Clark, who played one season for the Rebels before transferring to Louisville.
After hosting 2009 NCAA Regional team Xavier on March 15 for Elementary School Day at Patterson Stadium, the Cardinals will host their final non-conference weekend series on March 19-21 against Ball State.
Following a mid-week return game at Evansville on March 23, the Cards will the defense of their 2009 BIG EAST Conference title with a three-game series at home against Connecticut on March 26-28 at Jim Patterson Stadium. The series will be a rematch of last year’s BIG EAST Tournament title game, won by Louisville 11-3 in Clearwater, Fla.
Along with UConn, the Cardinals will host BIG EAST foes Villanova (April 1-3), Seton Hall (April 23-25), Rutgers (April 30-May 2) and St. John’s (May 14-16). Louisville will play four BIG EAST opponents on the road, including Pittsburgh (April 9-11), West Virginia (April 16-18), Georgetown (May 7-9) and Notre Dame (May 20-22).
The Cardinals will play the first of two games against rival Kentucky on April 6 in Lexington, while the Wildcats will visit Jim Patterson Stadium in Louisville on April 28. U of L will also play two games against 2009 NCAA Regional squad Western Kentucky on April 14 in Bowling Green and on April 21 in Louisville and a mid-week home game against in-state foe Eastern Kentucky on May 18.
On May 4-5, Louisville will travel to Columbus, Ohio for a two-game, mid-week series against 2009 NCAA Regional participant Ohio State, while on May 11, the Cards will be in Nashville, Tenn., for a mid-week game at Vanderbilt in a rematch of last year’s NCAA Regional title game, which was won by Louisville 5-3.
The 2010 BIG EAST Championship is set for May 26-30 at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla., where the Cardinals have won the last two tournament titles and have an 11-2 record overall. The 2010 NCAA Championship is set to begin on June 4 with regional play.
The 2010 Louisville squad returns seven position starters and most of its pitching staff from a team that finished the season ranked 14th in the nation after making the program’s second NCAA Super Regional appearance in McDonnell’s three years as the head coach.
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss baseball team will play 34 home dates in the 2010 baseball season head coach Mike Bianco announced on Wednesday, as the Rebels look to defend their 2009 Southeastern Conference Championship and earn a ninth berth in the NCAA Tournament over the last 10 seasons.
The Rebels’ schedule will feature home SEC weekends against Florida, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas and Auburn, while Ole Miss will go on the road to face Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi State and Alabama. Vanderbilt rotates off the Rebels’ schedule in favor of the Tennessee Volunteers this season.
“As always, we’re playing a challenging schedule, but one that I think really will be of interest to fans of Ole Miss baseball,” said Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco. “In addition to the SEC schedule, we’re going on the road to face Tulane and will bring Louisville here to Oxford – both teams who have been to the NCAA Tournament several times in the past few seasons.
“We try to schedule a good mix of teams that will be exciting for our fans,” Bianco continued. ”We also want a schedule that will prepare us for conference play and another post-season appearance as we work towards our ultimate goal of continuing to bring championships to Ole Miss and advance to the College World Series.”
In addition to the 30 Southeastern Conference games, Ole Miss will also play a weekend series on the road against Tulane and will also welcome the Louisville Cardinals to Oxford for a weekend series. Eight of the teams on the schedule participated in the NCAA Tournament a year ago, comprising 23 games on the Rebels’ schedule.
Ole Miss opens the 2010 season with eight consecutive home dates, including weekend series’ against Louisiana-Monroe and Oakland before hitting the road to face the Green Wave. The Rebels will then play a pair of mid-week games against Austin Peay before welcoming Louisville and former Ole Miss assistant Dan McDonnell back to Swayze Field for a weekend series.
The Rebels then kick-off Southeastern Conference play the next weekend on the road at Kentucky. Two straight home weekends then await the Rebels with series against Eastern Division foes Florida and Tennessee before returning to the road for weekend contests at Georgia and South Carolina.
The second half of the conference season kicks off with the Rebels hosting LSU before taking to the road for a series against in-state rival Mississippi State. Ole Miss closes out the season against Arkansas at home before traveling to play Alabama and facing Auburn at home in the final series of the year.
Ole Miss also plays mid-week contests against Southern Miss at Trustmark Park and in Oxford, while also continuing the Governor’s Cup series against Mississippi State at Trustmark Park.
The Rebels open the 2010 season on Friday, February 19 against Louisiana-Monroe in a three-game series at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field.
Diamond Rebels To Play 34 Home In 2010 Season
