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Florida State pitcher Scott Sitz stole the show Tuesday – on the mound, in the formal postgame press conference, and even in the ensuing 1-on-1 interview session. Click on the link below for Sitz’s comments immediately following the postgame press conference (links also included below for brief comments from FSU’s Sherman Johnson and UCLA’s Beau Amaral).

Sherman Johnson led Florida State's strong top-of-the-lineup effort vs. UCLA.

Note – videos may require initial download time (based on your internet speed; also may find better results based on specific browser).

CLICK HERE for Scott Sitz video interview (after win over UCLA)

CLICK HERE for Sherman Johnson (FSU) video comments

CLICK HERE for Beau Amaral (UCLA) video comments

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Seminoles Next Face Arizona…

CLICK HERE to see the complete CB360 CWS Scoreboard with links to daily postgame video interviews & more!

CLICK HERE for postgame video interviews with Scott Sitz, Sherman Johnson &  Beau Amaral

Starting pitcher Scott Sitz helped the Seminoles survive Tuesday's elimination game (Photo-CB360's Pete LaFleur).

The Florida State baseball team has proven in recent weeks that it can put up hits and runs in big numbers – but in Tuesday’s elimination game (a 4-1 win vs. UCLA) at the College World Series, the themes were different. The Seminoles did manage nine hits, but their two scoring innings (the 1st & 4th) featured as many free passes (walks) as hits (5). And on a pitching staff fronted by a pair of freshmen, it was junior righthander Scott Sitz who might have delivered the most clutch performance of this CWS, by any pitcher from the eight teams.

(note – see below, with more later from this game, including postgame video with Scott Sitz, Sherman Johnson and Beau Amaral.) … Video links at bottom of page, or CLICK HERE.

With the win, Florida State (50-16) has advanced to its bracket final and once again is among the NCAA semifinalists, but still four wins away from capturing that elusive NCAA title (an achievement reached just once by a team competing as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, way back in 1955 by Wake Forest). FSU now must beat Arizona (a team it lost to four days ago) on Thursday at 4 CT, then turn around and beat the Wildcats again on Friday to earn a spot in the CWS best-of-3 final series.

Sitz – sporting his trademark mustache that began early in the season as a bet with FSU closer Robert Benincasa – is one of several veteran Seminoles pitchers who had chances earlier in their careers to fill one of the top starter roles. The junior readily admitted during Tuesday’s postgame interviews that he and other veterans “had their shot” in the past but didn’t get it done.

That all changed Tuesday on the big stage at TD Ameritrade Park, with 23,000-plus looking on. Sitz worked a season-long 6.2 innings (one shy of matching his career-long outing) while allowing only one run, on five hits and a lone walk that easily was countered by eight strikeouts.

Three of those Ks all came in the pivotal top of the 6th, with the bases loaded and a run already home for UCLA (48-16). Bruins cleanup batter Jeff Gelalich was digging in at the plate, with no outs and the tying runs aboard. But Gelalich went down swinging on a 1-2 pitch from Sitz and the same fate befell Trevor Brown before a full-count battle vs. Pat Valaika produced a third straight strikeout swinging.

By virtue of its patient approach at the plate (patience is a virtue, get it?), Florida State had four baserunners in each of the first two innings but little to show for it (two runs), other than five runners left on base (a sixth was erased on a double-play).

Florida State’s first two trips to the plate produced six walks and only a pair of hits. The Seminoles tacked on two more runs in the 4th and then limited UCLA’s damage during the 6th, en route to the win.

Each of the top three batters in the FSU lineup – Sherman Johnson (2R-2B-2BB), Devon Travis (R-BB) and James Ramsey (R-BB) – hit 2-for-3 while combining to score all four of their team’s runs and drawing four of the eight FSU walks.

Sophomore righthander Zack Weiss departed early for UCLA, after recording only one out (he ultimately was charged for two runs on a hit and three walks).

NCAA Brackets (updated): Interactive  |  Printable (PDF)

Final Stats: HTML & PDF  |  FSU Recap (w/ video)  |  UCLA Recap
NCAA-Based Content:  Game Recap (w/ video)  |  FSU Feature
Postgame Notes (FSU)  |  Photos (FSU)  |  Photos (UCLA)

* * *

POSTGAME VIDEO … Florida State pitcher Scott Sitz stole the show Tuesday – on the mound, in the formal postgame press conference, and even in the ensuing 1-on-1 interview session. Click on the link below for Sitz’s comments immediately following the postgame press conference (links also included below for brief comments from FSU’s Sherman Johnson and UCLA’s Beau Amaral.

Note – videos may require initial download time (based on your internet speed; also may find better results based on specific browser).

CLICK HERE for Scott Sitz video interview (after win over UCLA)

CLICK HERE for Sherman Johnson (FSU) video comments

CLICK HERE for Beau Amaral (UCLA) video comments

The Road To Omaha leads to TD Ameritrade Park and The Dugout – located right across the street from TDA’s home plate entrance. The Dugouthas a ton of authentic college baseball caps – just like the ones the players wear on the field.

If you’re going to Omaha for the College World Series make sure to make your first stop The Dugout for all officially licensed CWS apparel, including a new shipment of Adidas Climalite shirts. If you can’t make it to Omaha just follow our red links to The Dugout!

34 Home Games On Tap For Seminoles…

Florida State has unveiled its 2012 college baseball schedule. The Seminoles open the new season with 10 straight regular season games. An 11th game, an exhibition against the Philadelphia Phillies, takes place February 29 in Clearwater, Fla.

The Seminoles open the campaign Feb. 17-19 with a three game series against Hofstra. Jacksonville visits on Feb. 21, followed by three games against Florida International Feb. 24-26. FSU hosts three games against Maine March 2-4.

After two games at Central Florida March 6 & 7, Florida State opens ACC play March 9-11 when it visits Duke. Other conference home series are at Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Boston College, and Clemson. Conference home series are against Virginia, Virginia Tech, Miami, Maryland, and North Carolina State.

The ‘Noles host two non-conference games with Stetson March 20 & 21 and then returns the two games in Deland, Fla. May 8 & 9. A home series vs. Rhode Island is slated for April 27-29.

FSU faces intrastate rival Florida three time during the season. Each team will host a game on its home field, with a neutral site game to be played in Jacksonville.

The Dugout in Omaha is your one stop for the most officially licensed 2011 College World Series apparel.

The Dugout is located right across the street from the Road To Omaha statue outside TD Ameritrade Stadium, but if you left Omaha without that College World Series hat, shirt or memorabilia you were thinking about you can still get it at Dugouthats.com!  The Dugout also has fitted college and minor league caps – just like the ones the players where on the field.

The best part is, when you click on one of the red links to Dugouthats.com you will save 20% on your order when you enter the coupon code CB360!

Florida State has unveiled its 2011 college baseball schedule. Mike Martin’s Seminoles begin the season with an eight game homestand that begins February 18-20 with a three game series against VMI.

CLICK HERE to see the complete 2011 FSU schedule.

The Seminoles also make aMarch 4-6 trip to Athens, GA for a three game series with Georgia.

Other teams from the Sunshine State on the FSU schedule are Jacksonville, Stetson, North Florida, UCF, and Florida Gulf Coast.

FSU opens ACC play when it hosts Boston College March 11-13. Other home ACC series are against Wake Forest, North Carolina, Duke, and Clemson. The ‘Noles hit the road for ACC series against Virginia, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Miami, and North Carolina State.

The place to find authentic college baseball caps is Dugouthats.com. The Dugout has been selling officially licensed gear during the College World Series in Omaha for 15 years, and now you can find all the same great gear online at Dugouthats.com. Whether it’s CWS apparel, or hats of your favorite teams like LSU, Texas, Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, UCLA, South Carolina, Miami and more you’ll find them at Dugouthats.com!

Ten Questions On The Eve Of The College Baseball Season

A new college baseball season is about to begin.  It’s a season that is started a week earlier than it was originally slated to begin, and one school (James Madison) has already canceled its season opener, because (spoiler) it snows in roughly two-thirds of the country in mid-February.

Anyway, from time to time different thoughts pop into my head and I have managed to corral a few of them here.  So, here are Ten College Baseball Questions For 2010… (in no particular order)…

1.  Can LSU Repeat? The odds say it’s not going to happen.  Oregon State (2006-2007), LSU (1996-1997) and Stanford (1987-1988) are the only teams to win back-to-back crowns since Rod Dedeaux’s USC Trojans ended a streak of five straight titles from 1970-1974.  Paul Mainieri’s Tigers have a lot of key elements returning, like Blake Dean’s bat and Anthony Ranaudo & Matty Ott’s arms, but the odds just aren’t in their favor.  On the other hand…

Russell Moldenhauer (Texas Photo)

2.  Can Texas Be Stopped? The odds (along with a sick pitching staff and a lot of returning everyday players) would seem to be in Augie Garrido’s favor.  The Longhorns return three starters, Taylor Jungmann, Cole Green and Chance Ruffin who could all be just about anyone’s number one starter.  The trio combined to win 26 games last year.  Cameron Rupp, Kevin Keyes and Omaha long ball ace Russell Moldenhauer are also back to lead the offense.  With all that back the biggest question right now seem to be can they stay number one from now until season’s end?

3.  Would An LSU vs. Texas Championship Re-Match Be Good For College Baseball? It would be good for TV ratings, but I don’t know that it would actually be good for the game as a whole.  Does anyone who’s not a Yankees fan think that the cash cow’s 27th title is good for any other MLB team other than the one in the Bronx with the new stadium and overpriced (and often empty) seats?  Texas and LSU at the College World Series is good for college baseball, because it gets casual fans a little more interested.  But when it comes time for all the marbles David vs. Goliath  is just more fun.

4.  Speaking Of David…Who Will Be This Year’s Cinderella? Fresno State was the ultimate Cinderella two years ago, but Mike Batesole’s great-great-great grand children will be playing before we see that kind of run again.  But that doesn’t mean there won’t be more Cinderellas.  They’re quite common when it comes to the CWS.  Fresno State, Southern Mississippi, Louisville, Southwest Missouri State, Notre Dame, and San Jose State all made it to Omaha in the last decade in what was either their first appearance or their first trip after a long CWS drought.  The odds say there’ll be a Cinderella, but the waiting is the hardest (and most fun) part.

Bryce Brentz (MTSU photo)

5.  Will Bryce Brentz Win the NCAA’s Triple Crown? The Middle Tennessee State slugger just about did it last year.  He led the nation with his .465 batting average, and he tied Alabama’s Kent Matthes for the home run title with 28.  Brentz also topped the charts with his .930 slugging percentage, but he missed the Triple Crown with “just” 73 RBIs.  That technically tied for 31st nationally, but Brentz was just 14 RBIs behind NCAA leader Paul Goldschmidt of Texas State.  Logical thinking would say Brentz, now a junior, doesn’t have a chance, but logic never pitched to Brentz.

6.  Can Arizona State Overcome The Loss Of Pat Murphy? Love him or hate him, it’s hard to argue with the success that Murphy had in his 15 years in the ASU dugout.   But it’s not like ASU had never won prior to Murph’s arrival.  He led his team to Omaha four times, but the program has 21 CWS appearances since 1964 thanks to Bob Winkles and Jim Brock.  Now it’s Tim Esmay’s turn to guide the cruise ship Sun Devil.  Esmay, a former Utah head coach, himself played for Brock in Omaha twice, and he was also on Murphy’s staff for the last five seasons.  He also has a lot of experience sitting with him in the dugout.  Ken Knutson is in his first year as an assistant on the ASU staff after 17 seasons as the Washington Huskies’ head coach.  ASU’s line-up is loaded again, and there’s plenty of pitching too.  For now anyway the good ship ASU doesn’t show any signs of running aground.

Jarrett Parker (UVA photo)

7.  Is Virginia The Next National Power Or A One-Hit Wonder? The Cavaliers can hardly be considered a Cinderella.  Yes, last year was their first-ever College World Series trip, but they are from the ACC and they won their conference tournament last year.  Glass slippers aside, it would be easy to write-off UVA as a team that got hot and made a big run.  However, last year’s CWS squad included 23 underclassmen and set 11 school records…and the most prominent components-like Danny Hultzen, Jarrett Parker and Kevin Arico to name a few-are all back this year.  Who saw North Carolina coming prior four years ago?  Mike Fox’s Tar Heels hadn’t been to Omaha since 1989 prior to 2006 & now they’ve gone four straight times.  Cavalier head coach Brian O’Connor has now guided the Cavs to six straight NCAA berths, and he has been a guy whose destiny has always seemed to be Omaha.  He grew-up in the shadow of Rosenblatt Stadium in Council Bluffs, NE, pitched in the ’91 CWS for Creighton, helped Notre Dame get to Omaha in 2002 as the Irish pitching coach, and finally took his own team to the promised land last year…not to mention the fact that his mug is one of the players on the famed “Road To Omaha” statue outside Rosenblatt.  So, if you’re asked what lies in the shadow of the statue the safe answer might be “O’Connor’s Cavaliers”.

8.  Is A Northern Team Ready To Make A Real National Statement? Michigan and Notre Dame flirted with it last decade.  St. John’s has had its moments, and Ohio State and Minnesota have each had some success, but it all comes down to pitching.  Or more specifically, pitching depth.  The biggest difference in teams in the good southern teams and the good northern teams is pitching depth.  There are guys coming out of the bullpen in the ACC and SEC who could be starters on most Big Ten and Big East teams.  Just look at last year’s save numbers in those conferences:  157 in the SEC & 160 saves in the ACC compared to 110 and 121 in the Big Ten and Big East, respectively.  But save totals don’t even tell half the story.

When it comes to playing in an NCAA Regional winning the first game is important, but for a northern team winning the first two games of a regional is critical.  The team that starts 2-0 at a regional is at least one starting pitcher ahead of each opponent it plays the rest of the weekend.  Look at Minnesota last year:  They lost their regional opener to Baylor, then out-slugged Southern 11-8 and Baylor 15-12 atfter that before falling 10-3 to LSU.  They played respectably, but they gave-up 10 runs a game over their last three contests, while LSU gave-up 3 runs with its third starter on the mound.   Ohio State lost 24-8 to Georgia to its regional opener last year, then won 6-4 and 13-6 in elimination games before getting trounced 37-6 by Florida State in game four (game 3 for FSU).  OSU’s starting pitcher gave-up 7 runs without getting an out in that game.  But what about Michigan in 2007?  The Wolverines won the first two games of their regional, lost game three, but then beat Vanderbilt in the deciding game four to advance to a Super Regional.  In 2002 Notre Dame used just five pitchers while going 3-0 at their Regional en-route to being the only northern team to advance to Omaha since the ’80s.  The Irish also used just two pitchers in their two Super Regional wins over Florida State the following week.   It’s no coincidence that in recent years only teams from the south have come back  to win a Regional after losing one of their first two games.

ECU's Kyle Roller (ECU photo)

9.  Is Conference USA The Most Underrated Baseball Conference In The Country? Quick question…what three conferences have sent at least one team to the College World Series in each of the last five seasons?  If you said the SEC, Pac 10 and Conference USA you get the gold star for the day (but remember to raise your hand before blurting out the answer next time).  Rice, Tulane and last year’s darling Southern Mississippi have all gone to Omaha in that stretch.  Terry Rooney left LSU after a trip to the 2008 CWS in part because C-USA had earned a reputation as a three bid league.  But Conference USA didn’t just get three bids last year.  Rice, Southern Miss. and East Carolina all advanced to Super Regionals, and ECU and USM did it by beating South Carolina and Georgia Tech, respectively, in Regional action.  USM then beat Florida on the road to advance to Omaha, Rice lost to eventual National Champ LSU in its Regional while ECU fell to a North Carolina team that made a fourth straight CWS appearance.  C-USA has arrived, and based on the talent the aforementioned ’09 Super Regional teams have back, the conference doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.

10.  Will The Season Just Start Already? Really, aren’t you tired of waiting?  Oops, that’s another question, we don’t have room for eleven.  Is it here yet?  That’s another questions too…

Miami, Florida State, Florida & USF To Compete In Inaugural Event

TAMPA, FL – For the first time in history, four Florida universities will meet at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa to compete in “The Florida Four” on March 2, 2010.

For this inaugural event, the University of South Florida (USF) and University of Miami (UM) will go head-to-head, while the University of Florida (UF) and Florida State University (FSU) will take on each other.

“We’ve been working with the Yankees for a few years now to bring another premier event to our community,” said Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission Rob Higgins. “We hope it serves as launching pad to Omaha for the four programs. This is a story that will start in March and we hope continues on to June. ”

“On behalf of the World Champion New York Yankees, it is with great pleasure and pride that we welcome The Florida Four Baseball Classic to George M. Steinbrenner Field. As a past collegiate coach, it is George Steinbrenner’s dream to create this event for Tampa”, said Felix Lopez, Senior Vice President, New York Yankees. “We welcome the great schools of Florida to our facility and look forward to continuing this event for years to come”

USF looks to make moves in the BIG EAST Conference after being predicted to finish second in the preseason polls. The Bulls, driven by back-to-back highly-regarded recruiting classes, are on the national radar again as they have received votes in preseason polls for the second consecutive season.

“It’s going to be a great night for college baseball in Tampa. It should be a College World Series atmosphere with four great teams,” said USF Head Baseball Coach Lelo Prado. “I hope it’s the beginning of a long tradition for college baseball here in the Tampa Bay Area.”

The University of Miami baseball team earned its fourth preseason ranking this preseason as the USA TODAY/ESPN Top 25 Coaches’ Poll has the Hurricanes tabbed as the No. 14 team nationally in its first poll of the season. In total the 2009 `Canes feature 18 returning players, including 16 letter winners. In addition, there are 14 newcomers that include three junior college transfers and 11 true freshmen.

“The tournament should be very good for all the teams, as well as Tampa baseball, and we are very excited to be playing in this inaugural event,” said UM Head Baseball Coach Jim Morris. “Tampa is a great city for high school baseball and it will be great playing in front of them. The city has some of the greatest college baseball programs playing and it will be great for everyone.”

When Kevin O’Sullivan took over the University of Florida baseball program prior to the 2007-2008 school year, the Gators were in the midst of consecutive non-winning seasons for the first time in more than 30 years. O’Sullivan and his staff, consisting of Craig Bell, Brad Weitzel and Don Norris, directed the Gators to a runner-up finish in the South Eastern Conference’s Eastern Division and the team’s first NCAA Regional appearance since 2005 with a 34-24 performance.

“We are looking forward to participating in the Florida Four Tournament against top-notch competition. It should be a great opportunity for our fans to see two quality games in a professional stadium and the players will be excited to be part of a tremendous environment,” said UF Head Baseball Coach Kevin O’ Sullivan. “It should be a great night of baseball that showcases the state of Florida.”

Since the Atlantic Coast Conference’s inception of divisional play in 2006, the Seminoles have captured two Atlantic Division crowns, including back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008. Florida State baseball will open the 2009 campaign ranked in the top 25 in five preseason polls, including four polls that position the Seminoles in the top 10. Highlighted by an appearance in the College World Series last year, the 2008 Seminoles Baseball team finished the season ranked as high as No. 7 in the country.

“This is a great plus for the Florida State baseball program to be involved with the New York Yankees in this capacity and certainly to play the University of Florida down in Tampa will create a lot of interest,” said FSU Head Baseball Coach Mike Martin. “I’m sure that the Seminole fans in the Tampa Bay area will be excited to see their Seminoles, and I’m sure the same will be true with the Gators. We could very well draw a capacity crowd because of the interest in baseball in this great state of Florida.”

(Release)

League Coaches Pick Virginia To Repeat As Champion

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Defending Atlantic Coast Conference champion Virginia, which made its first ever College World Series appearance last June, has been picked as the 2010 preseason favorite in a vote of the league’s 12 head baseball coaches.

The Cavaliers, who return a strong cast that includes All-America outfielder Jarrett Parker, 2009 ACC Freshman of the Year Danny Hultzen and 2009 ACC Championship MVP Dan Grovatt, were projected as the ACC’s 2010 champion on eight head coaches’ ballots. Three coaches chose Florida State, and North Carolina received one vote.

Eleven of the league’s head coaches picked Virginia as the favorite to win the Coastal Division, with defending division champion North Carolina receiving one vote. Florida State was a favored to claim a fourth straight Atlantic Division championship on 10 ballots, while two coaches favored Clemson.

Georgia Tech placed second in the overall Coastal Division preseason coaches’ voting, followed by North Carolina, Miami, Virginia Tech and Duke.

Clemson was picked to finish second in the Atlantic Division, followed by Boston College, NC State, Wake Forest and Maryland.

Teams were awarded six points for each first-place vote, five points for each second-place vote, etc.

Virginia, which won a school-record 49 games in 2009, was joined in the College World Series by North Carolina, which made its ACC-record fourth straight trip to Omaha. Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Miami also made the 2009 NCAA field, with Clemson and Florida State joining North Carolina and Virginia in the final 16.

ACC teams open their 2010 seasons Feb. 19 and conclude regular-season play May 22. The 2010 ACC Baseball Championship will be held May 26-30 at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, N.C.

Complete results of the 2010 ACC Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll are listed below. First-place votes are in parenthesis:

ATLANTIC DIVISION

Team                                                   Points              2009 Record

Florida State (10)                                  70                    45-18. 19-9 ACC

Clemson (2)                                         62                    44-22, 19-11 ACC

Boston College                                     42                    34-26, 13-15 ACC

NC State                                               38                    25-31, 10-20 ACC

Wake Forest                                         21                    22-30, 6-24 ACC

Maryland                                              19                    27-27, 10-20 ACC

COASTAL DIVISION

Team                                                   Points              2009 Record

Virginia (11)                                         71                    49-15-1, 16-11-1 ACC

Georgia Tech                                        57                    38-19-1. 17-10-1 ACC

North Carolina (1)                                 44                    48-18, 19-10 ACC

Miami                                                   42                    38-22, 18-12 ACC

Virginia Tech                                        20                    32-21, 12-17 ACC

Duke                                                    18                    35-24, 15-15 ACC

Overall champion: Virginia (8)

Others receiving votes: Florida State (3), North Carolina (1)

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

New Book Chronicles 1999 Providence Baseball Season

There are not a lot of books about college baseball, but I have come across a new one that’s worth a read by every college baseball fan.  In Strike IX author Paul Lonardo details the final season of baseball at Providence College.

Have you ever had something you love taken away from you?  That’s what happened to the PC Friars in the fall of 1998 when they were told that the season they were preparing for would be the last at Providence.  The reason?  Title IX (get the title now?), which on its face prohibits educational discrimination on the basis of sex.  However, Title IX has also brought the ax down on many male collegiate sports teams, and that’s what happened at Providence.

In Strike IX Lonardo does a great job of detailing exactly what Title IX is and well as what it’s supposed to be.  For example, did you know there is a three-pronged test for assessing compliance in intercollegiate ahtletics?  Here they are:

Prong One:  Providing athletic opportunities that are substantially proportionate to the student enrollment.

Prong Two:  Demonstrate a continual expansion of athletic opportunities for the underrepresented sex.

Prong Three:  Full and effective accomodations of the interest and ability of underrepresented sex.

However, most schools do not even both considering prongs two or three, because prong one, known as “proportionality” is the easiest and most cost effective.  (I won’t go into more here, you’ll have to check out the book.)

1999 Providence baseball players with Florida State fans.

While Lonardo deftly explains Title IX he also does a good job of detailing Providence’s 1999 season as well as life as a college baseball player.  Anyone who’s seen the movie Major League can appreciate the black t-shirts that the Friars wore under their uniforms in ’99 that read:  “THERE’S ONLY ONE THING LEFT TO DO…” on the front and “WIN THE WHOLE %@!()& THING” on the back.

Ultimately, Providence didn’t win the whole thing, but they had a great run by winning the 1999 Big East Tournament and then going to the Tallahassee Regional finals before falling to eventual College World Series runner-up Florida State.  The Friars even earned the respect and praise of FSU fans, who cheered “Friars!, Friars!” durring the final inning of Providence baseball history.

It’s January, but if you’re looking for something to get you ready for the arrival of college baseball next month Strike IX could be the way to go.

Armstrong Was First Coach In FSU History

Armstrong coached FSU from 1948-1951

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Former Florida State baseball head coach and football assistant coach Charlie Armstrong, who led the Seminole baseball team in their first four years of the program’s existence, passed away on December 13, 2009 at Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee. Charlie Armstrong was 87.

Armstrong coached the first four Florida State baseball teams and was the first assistant football coach in FSU history when head coach Don Veller hired the former Indiana University star in 1948. Armstrong literally started the FSU baseball program from scratch pulling together a team and equipment while posting winning records in each of the first four years from 1948-51. He finished with a career coaching record of 46-29 over his four seasons in Tallahassee collecting a season-high 13 wins in 1950 and 1951.

During his four years on the football staff, FSU won 30 of 34 games. Veller gave him a great deal of credit for the team’s first football success which culminated in FSU’s first bowl win against Wofford College in the 1949 Cigar Bowl.

In 1994, Armstrong was inducted to the Florida State University Hall of Fame recognized for his efforts as a Seminole coach.

Born February 16, 1922 in Evansville, Indiana, Armstrong attended Evansville College when World War II began. Since he was a licensed pilot, Armstrong volunteered to serve his country and joined the Army Air Corps. He was assigned to the European Theater where he flew the B-24 bomber in many dangerous missions over Germany. He was a part of the June 6, 1944 D-Day invasion, flying a lead B-24 in a critical bombing run over Europe that day and many days to follow. Armstrong later retired as a Lt. Colonel from the Air Force in 1970.

After the war, Armstrong enrolled at Indiana University where he played college football. He held several placekicking records for decades and was an integral part of the 1945 Indiana University team that won the Big Ten Championship.

Following his military service, Armstrong decided to become a coach and teacher in the Florida school system and over many years he both taught and coached football at Quincy Shanks, Lincoln High in Tallahassee, Jefferson County in Monticello and Washington High in Pensacola before retiring to live in Tallahassee.

Armstrong is survived by his loving wife, Milly, of 62 years. He is also survived by four children: Virginia Lee Zeitler (husband Jim) of Henderson, Nevada; John Armstrong of Panama City, Florida; Charles, Jr. (wife Sue) of Pensacola, Florida; and Melinda Hopf (husband Mike) of Warner Robins, Georgia. Charlie and Milly have 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at North Florida Baptist Church on Wednesday, December 16, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Culley’s Meadow Wood Memorial Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice or North Florida Baptist Church.

(Release)