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Terps Alum Played For Four Big League Teams…

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Former MLB All-Star Eric Milton has joined the University of Maryland baseball team’s coaching staff, head coach Erik Bakich announced Thursday.

Eric Milton

Milton, a left-handed pitcher who played at Maryland from 1994-96, was an American League All-Star for the Minnesota Twins in 2001 and won 89 games in his 11-year major-league career. A native of State College, Pa., he also pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers.

A first-round pick of the New York Yankees in the 1996 amateur draft, Milton made his Major League debut at age 22 for the Twins. In his career, Milton started 270 games, pitched more than 1,500 innings and faced nearly 7,000 batters, giving him a wealth of experience at the highest level of baseball.

“Eric is just a tremendous resource of baseball knowledge,” said Bakich. “He loves the game, and for our players to have somebody who has been in their shoes, gone to the same school, been through the same classes and done the same things, he is where they all want to be.

“He made it to that level. He’s a tremendous example for all our players to strive to get where he’s been. His experience is going to help our players tremendously and his baseball knowledge is unparalleled.”

Milton retired from the game in 2009, which coincided with Bakich’s arrival as head coach at Maryland, and the two developed a friendship over the last two years.

“When I took the job it was a priority to re-establish relationships with former players and Eric was a guy I hit it off with right away,” Bakich said. “The more I have spent time with him and his family over the last year, the more I knew I wanted to have him on the staff if the opportunity ever presented itself. Eric is just a tremendous resource of baseball knowledge.”

Milton, who has conducted lessons with area youth in the last two years, saw an opportunity to become more involved in player development while helping the University he attended.

“I still want to be involved in baseball and what better avenue than here, where I played, trying to get these kids prepared for professional baseball,” said Milton.

Milton will serve as the program’s volunteer assistant, working primarily with catchers, though he will assist in all facets of coaching.

“A guy who has that much experience and played at the highest level of baseball, you certainly don’t want to pigeon-hole into just one area when his knowledge base expands to all areas,” said Bakich.

Indeed, Milton brings vast experience and knowledge of the game to the coaching staff. From 1999-2001, he averaged 160 strikeouts per season, ranking among the top 11 in the American League each year. He was an All-Star in 2001 when he went 15-7 with a 4.32 ERA and a career-high 220 2/3 innings pitched.

Milton led the Phillies with a 14-6 record in 2004, when he topped the 200-inning mark for the fourth time in his career. He went on to pitch for the Reds for three seasons and finished his career with the Dodgers in 2009.

“I sat in a dugout for over 2,000 Major League baseball games in my career,” said Milton. “You learn a little bit about baseball that way. I think I can add a lot to this program. Erik used the `pigeon-hole’ word – I have more knowledge than just pitching; it’s all aspects of the game and I think I can add that to this program.”

(Release)

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Florida State & Clemson Are Among The Nation’s Elite

2009 Division Winners: Florida State won the Atlantic & North Carolina won the Coastal.

2009 Champion: Virginia defeated Florida State 6-3 to capture their 3^rd ACC championship and first since 1996.

2010 No Easier: The ACC has three teams in the top 10 and six teams ranked in the top 16 in Collegiate Baseball’s “Fabulous 40” Preseason Poll, the most by any conference in the country.  Virginia leads the way ranked 3^rd, followed by Georgia Tech at number 6, and Florida State 7^th.  Miami starts the year ranked 12^th, while North Carolina checks in at number 13 and Clemson begins the year 16^th.

Premier Players: 11 ACC players find themselves on the Louisville Slugger pre-season All-America teams including a conference high four 1^st teamers.  Those on the first team are RHP Deck McGuire from Georgia Tech, C Yasmani Grandal from Miami, OF Jarrett Parker of Virginia, and OF Tyler Holt from Florida State.

2010 ACC Atlantic Division Preview

*We will preivew the ACC’s Coastal Division and make our predictions for overall conference winner, Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year tomorrow.

Boston College

2009 Season: (34-26, 14-15)

Nickname: Eagles

Head Coach: Mik Aoki

Location: Chestnut Hill, MA

Vitals: .304 BA, 58 HR, .382 OBP, .972 Fld. %…4.65 ERA, 11 SVs, 460 K, 222 BB, .278 Opp. BA

History Made: BC’s 25-inning NCAA Regional loss to Texas last year was named the #1 collegiate baseball game to remember for the past decade by the Yahoo Sports blog Destination: Omaha.  It also ranked fourth on the Collegebaseball360.com “Top Moments of 2009” list.  The game lasted an NCAA record 7 hours and 3 minutes, saw 683 pitches thrown, and 171 official at-bats.

Eagles Lost, Return : Boston College deals with the loss of C Tony Sanchez (.346, 14 HR, 51 RBI) who was selected 4^th overall in the 2009 MLB draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.  BC does welcome back Sr. OF Robbie Anston who finished second on the team with a .344 BA and stealing a team-high 15 bases.

Battle of Boston: The Eagles play an exhibition game against the Red Sox March 3^rd down in Fort Myers, FL.

Clemson

2009 Season: (44-22, 19-11)

Nickname: Tigers

Head Coach: Jack Leggett

Location: Clemson, SC

Vitals: .299 BA, 65 HR, .387 OBP, .967 Fld. %…3.68 ERA, 13 SVs, 548 K, 203 BB, .253 Opp. BA

Big Arms Return: The 3.68 team ERA was fifth best in the nation last year and Clemson returns several of their top

Clemson two sport standout Kyle Parker

pitchers from 2009, including Jr. LHP Casey Harman (7-3, 3.95 ERA, 1 SV) and So. LHP Chris Dwyer who led the team with 95 Ks, becoming the first freshman to lead the Tigers in strikeouts since 1997.

Back Among the Elite: Clemson’s 44 wins last year was a 13-game improvement, third best in school history.  They also made their 22^nd NCAA tournament appearance in the past 23 years and their 8^th trip to a super-regional.

Passing Parker:  Tiger outfielder Kyle Parker is also Clemson’s starting quarterback.  He threw 20 touchdown passes while helping Clemson beat Kentucky in this season’s Music City Bowl.  Parker hit 12 home runs with 52 RBIs on last years Super Regional team as well.  CLICK HERE to see more two-sport college baseball players in the Collegebaseball360.com Two Sport Reports.

Home Sweet Home: The Tigers play 22 of their first 30 games at home and don’t leave the state of South Carolina until game 16 – a one game battle against Charlotte in North Carolina.

Florida State

2009 Season: (45-18, 19-9)

Nickname: Seminoles

Head Coach: Mike Martin

Location: Tallahassee, FL

Vitals: .321 BA, 89 HR, .432 OBP, .960 Fld. %…4.58 ERA, 13 SVs, 468 K, 303 BB, .256 Opp. BA

Tallahassee Talent: Florida State returns four players named to the Louisville Slugger Preseason All-America

Sean Gilmartin

Teams.  Jr. OF Tyler Holt (.401, 87 R, 34 SB) is a first team selection.  Jr. OF Mike McGee (.379, 19 HR, 78 RBI) is on the second team, while So. LHP Sean Gilmartin, 2009 ACC Pitcher of the Year, (12-3, 3.49 ERA, 2 CG) and Sr. SS Stephen Cardullo (.376, 10 HR, 20 SB) are third-teamers.

Record Breakers: The Seminoles advanced to their 9^th Super Regional in school history by beating Ohio State 37-6 in the Regional Championship.  FSU set school records for runs (37), hits (38), doubles (15), and total bases (66) in one game.

Schedule Notes: FSU opens their season February 19^th when they host Georgia State.  They will also play the Philadelphia Phillies March 3^rd in Clearwater.  And in what could amount to an Atlantic Division Championship Series, the Seminoles travel to Clemson to wrap up the regular season May 20-22.

Maryland

2009 Season: (27-27, 10-20)

Nickname: Terrapins

Head Coach: Erik Bakich

Location: College Park, MD

Vitals: .281 BA, 48 HR, .368 OBP , .968 Fld. %…5.93 ERA, 11 SVs, 384 K, 215 BB, .293 Opp. BA

New Era: Erik Bakich was named the 6^th head coach in Maryland history in June after former coach Terry Rupp resigned.  Rupp left after nine seasons despite leading Maryland to 10 ACC wins in 2009, the most since 1972.

Need Some Offense: The .281 BA in 2009 was 11^th in the league last year, and Maryland loses 3 of their top 4 hitters.  They do return they top hitter in Sr. INF David Poutier who hit .321 with 14 doubles and 8 stolen bases.

Young Foundation: Maryland returns just 18 players from a year ago, and has only 5 seniors on their current roster.

North Carolina State

2009 Season: (25-31, 10-20)

Nickname: Wolfpack

Head Coach: Elliott Avent

Location: Raleigh, NC

Vitals: .266 BA, 48 HR, .371 OBP, .951 Fld. %…5.12 ERA, 9 SVs, 469 K, 230 BB, .272 Opp. BA

Two sport star Russell Wilson

Future Pack Attack: NC State’s incoming recruiting class is ranked 11^th by Baseball America.  It’s the 3^rd highest ranked class in the ACC behind North Carolina (7^th) and Virginia (9^th).

Key Returners: The Wolfpack hit a league-worst .266 as a team, but do return several of their top hitters from 2009.  Sr. INF Andrew Ciencin (.308, 15 doubles, .481 Slg%), Sr. OF Drew Poulk (.266, 9 HR, 36 RBI), and Sr. INF Kyle Wilson (.265, 5 HR, 30 SB) will lead the offensive attack this season.

Friendly Down the Stretch: If NC State can be in contention toward the end of the season, the schedule plays nicely in their favor.  The last month of the season keeps the Wolfpack at home for 14 of their final 17 ballgames, including home series against ACC foes Boston College, Georgia Tech, and Duke.  The only road trip is a three game series at Florida State May 14-16.

Double Duty:  Wolfpack infielder Russell Wilson is also the starting quarterback for the NC State football team.  He passed for an ACC-leading 31 touchdowns with 11 interceptions in 2009.  CLICK HERE to see more two-sport college baseball players in the Collegebaseball360.com Two Sport Reports.

Wake Forest

2009 Season: (22-30, 6-24)

Nickname: Demon Deacons

Head Coach: Tom Walter

Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Vitals: .284 BA, 55 HR, .364 OBP, .951 Fld. %…7.30 ERA, 10 SVs, 360 K, 242 BB, .329 Opp. BA

Pitchers Returning: Several top pitchers return for Wake Forest this season, including standout So. LHP Zach White (4-1, 3.32 ERA, 3 SVs, .237 Opp. BA), So. LHP Austin Stadler (4-5, 4.13 ERA, 2 SVs), and Jr. RHP Ryan McGrath (3-1, 5.95 ERA, .236 Opp. BA).

Offense Back: The Demon Deacons return speed and power to the lineup this season.  Jr. OH Steven Brooks (.313, 30 RBI, 11 SB), Sr. C Mike Murray (.306, 6 HR, 37 RBI), and So. 3B/OF Carlos Lopez (.268, 12 HR, .562 Slg. %) all are back to lead the offense.

Home Sweet Home: Wake Forest plays their first 13 games at home, and 34 of their 57 regular-season games at Wake Forest Baseball Park.

2010 ACC Atlantic Predictions:

ACC Atlantic Winner: Florida State, with Clemson right on their heels.

Top ACC Atlantic Player: Tyler Holt—Florida State

Top ACC Atlantic Pitcher: Sean Gilmartin—Florida State

Terps To Face Eight 2009  NCAA Tournament teams

Maryland Head Coach Erik Bakich

The Terps open their first season under head coach Erik Bakich on Feb. 19 when they travel to Miami, Fla., for a three-game set with Florida International.

Complete 2010 Maryland Baseball Schedule

Maryland will open a 10-day, eight-game homestand when they welcome in Delaware the following weekend, Feb. 26-28. Virginia Military Institute comes to Shipley Field on Tuesday, March 2, Towson visits on Wednesday, March 3 and Hofstra comes to College Park for a three-game set March 5-7.

ACC play gets underway on Friday, March 12, as Maryland travels to Blacksburg, Va., for a three-game set with Virginia Tech.

Maryland’s next seven ACC series are against 2009 NCAA Tournament participants: the Terps host Georgia Tech March 19-21; travel to Tallahassee to take on Florida State March 26-28; welcome North Carolina, which has made it to the past four College World Series, April 2-4; travel to Boston College April 9-11; host 2009 CWS participant Virginia April 23-25; visit Miami, which made its 37th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance in 2009, April 30-May 2; and host Clemson May 7-9.

The Terps wrap up regular season play at Wake Forest May 20-22. The ACC Tournament will be held in Greensboro, N.C., May 26-30.

(Release)

Baseball facility to be Shipley Field at Bob `Turtle’ Smith Stadium

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Bob “Turtle” Smith ’63, former University of Maryland baseball player, and his wife, Carol B. Smith have stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam by making a major seven-figure commitment to Maryland Athletics. In honor of their gift, Maryland’s baseball stadium has been renamed Shipley Field at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium.

Bob and Carol have pledged their gift in support of the Greatness Campaign, which provides funds to those areas in athletics with the greatest need, as well as to the “Home Run Club,” the support group for the Maryland baseball team.

Bob recalls the work ethic and dedication required as a starter, every year, on the baseball team; as well as the rewards of being named co-captain as a senior, and winning the Berger Cup for outstanding contributions to athletics through baseball. “These experiences had a major impact and influence on my entire life, and make me proud to have the stadium bear my name,” he said.

Bob and Carol feel the timing of their gift is appropriate, partly because of the naming of new Maryland baseball head coach, Erik Bakich. “Carol and I are very excited about the direction of the baseball program with Coach Bakich at the helm. He is bringing a new enthusiasm and energy that will turn our program around.”

“We share Bob and Carol’s optimism regarding the future of the Maryland baseball program. Their generosity comes at a wonderful time,” said director of athletics Deborah A. Yow. “We very much admire and appreciate their commitment to our baseball program, and this gift will benefit our student-athletes for some time.”

“In my brief tenure as head baseball coach, Bob and Carol have been loyal supporters of Maryland Baseball,” said Bakich. “Bob and I share a vision for what we want Maryland Baseball to accomplish. One of my immediate goals is to qualify for the ACC Baseball Tournament every year, meaning we will have a chance of making the NCAA Tournament on a regular basis.”

“Recruiting top talent, especially talent in the Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia area, is important to our success. Having former players and more supporters like Bob who are passionate about Maryland Baseball will help us spread the word that Maryland is committed to excellence in building and maintaining a first-class program.”

The Smiths have gone to bat before for the Maryland baseball program. In December 2007, Bob and Carol established the Robert W. and Carol B. Smith and Family Endowed Baseball Scholarship. This was the first fully funded scholarship for the exclusive use by the baseball program.

Bob recalls, “Because of my business education, I’ve had success in the corporate world as a VP of two Fortune 50 companies; and for the last 22 years as an entrepreneur in commercial real estate. I’ve told my family and friends many times, that without the baseball scholarship that enabled me to attend and graduate from the University of Maryland, I never would have had such success. As a result, I was only too pleased to give back to the University, and the baseball team; by gifting the first endowment that created a full baseball scholarship.”

Bob and Carol would like to encourage former Terp baseball players to get involved with the program by making a donation to endow or partially endow additional scholarships for baseball, or make an annual gift to the “Home Run Club.” Bob would appreciate talking with former players and friends of Maryland Baseball about they can get involved.

“I’m very proud of Maryland, and I want to see Maryland Baseball become a force in the ACC and the NCAA,” Bob said. “There is tremendous energy surrounding the team and I would love for everyone who has ever been associated with Maryland Baseball to be part of the excitement.”

In appreciation for Bob and Carol Smith’s significant gift, Maryland Athletics is honored to pay tribute to their support with the official naming of Shipley Field at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium.

A formal dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled in the spring of 2010. Details of that important event will be forthcoming. If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Don Miller, Senior Director of Development, Maryland Athletics, at 301-314-7073 or by email at dmiller@umd.edu.

(Release)