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Top College Baseball Outfielders To Watch In 2011

Sean Stires — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:01:12 +0000

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Our look at some of the top college baseball players in Division One baseball continues as head to the outfielders. Our previous lists have looked mainly at the top 11 at each position (plus a few others to watch), but sheer numbers dictate that we include more outfielders.

On any given Saturday during the college baseball season, 900 Division One outfielders will start in a game. Here are the top 30-plus heading into 2011.

1. Alex Dickerson – Indiana

It’s a long way from San Diego to Bloomington, IN, but Dickerson has blazed a trail from his California roots in his first two seasons at Indiana. He earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American honors in 2009 after batting .370 with 57 RBIs and an IU freshman record 14 home runs as his team’s primary clean-up batter. His efforts helped the Hoosiers claim their first NCAA Regional bid since 1996. Dickerson then went on to win the Big Ten Triple Crown in 2010, batting .419 with 24 HR and 75 RBIs. He earned All-American accolades and was the unanimous pick for Big Ten Player of the Year, to become the first Big Ten player to receive Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year honors in back-to-back seasons. Dickerson played for the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2009 and then starred for the USA Collegiate National Team in 2010.

2. George Springer – Connecticut

Springer’s name became nearly synonymous with UConn baseball in 2010. The sophomore centerfielder batted .337 with 18 home runs, 16 doubles, 62 RBIs, and a team-best 33 stolen bases. His efforts helped the Huskies to a program record 48 wins and their first NCAA Regional berth since 1994. He scored a team-high 84 runs, thanks in part to team-highs of 60 BB and 14 HBP and .491 on-base percentage. Springer’s 1.149 OPS also led his team. In 2009, the New Britain, CT native became the first UConn player ever to earn the Big East Rookie of the Year award after batting .358 and smacking 16 HR. Like Dickerson, Springer played for the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod League after his freshman season and then played for the USA Collegiate National Team in the summer of 2010.

3. Jackie Bradley, Jr.- South Carolina

The 5’10, 180 pound centerfielder has the frame, tilt and glide that scouts love. It also doesn’t hurt that he was named the Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series after helping South Carolina win the national championship in 2010. Bradley took the Gamecock’s triple crown last year when he batted .368 with 13 HR and 60 RBIs (he shared the HR lead with Whit Merrifield). The Prince George, VA native struckout just 37 times with 41 walks in 242 at-bats and sported a 1.060 OPS. He earned Freshman All-American honors in 2009 after hitting .349 with 11 HR and 47 RBIs. Bradley played for the Hyannis Mets in the Cape Cod League in ’09 and then teamed with Dickerson and Springer last summer in the USA Collegiate National Team outfield.

4. Mikie Mahtook – LSU

Now a junior, Mahtook has been a key member of the LSU line-up in his first two years in Baton Rouge. Mahtook batted .316 with seven home runs, eight doubles, three triples, 38 RBIs, and 41 runs while starting 49 games to help the Tigers to the 2009 national championship. He batted .455 (10-for-22) to earn SEC Tournament MVP honors as a prelude to his 11th inning game-winning hit in game one of the College World Series Finals en-route to the national title. Mahtook moved to right field in 2010 and produced even more at the plate. He hit .335 with 14 HR, 19 doubles, 50 RBIs, 68 runs and 22 stolen bases. His 19 doubles ranked second in the SEC to help him to a 1.056 OPS. The Lafayette, LA native even hit for the cycle in an Apr. 6 game against Alcorn St. The 2008 39th round draft choice of the Florida Marlins was also a member of the 2010 USA Collegiate National Team. Talk about a crowded outfield!

5. Nick Martini – Kansas State

With the success of teams like Texas and Oklahoma last year, it may surprise some to hear that Martini in the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year. Martini has been a big straw that stirs the drink in K-State’s unprecedented success in his two years in Manhattan. He hit .336 with four home runs, a team-best 17 doubles, 19 stolen bases, and 50 RBIs to earn Freshman All-American honors in 2009. He also tied a school record by playing in all 62 KSU games that year. Martini took his game to another level last year, batting a Big 12 best .416 with four HR, 17 doubles, 19 stolen bases and 59 RBIs. He had a 1.086 OPS with 41 BB and just 21 K in 231 at-bats while earning Second Team All-American honors Martini has helped Kansas State to the only two NCAA Tournament appearances in program history in his two years in a Wildcat uniform.

6. Jeremy Baltz – St. John’s

Baltz had, arguably, the best overall year by a true freshman since the original bat restrictions went into place more than a decade ago. The Red Storm slugger took his team triple crown, batting .396 with 24 home runs and 85 RBIs in 2010. He also had 16 doubles and a triple for a 1.250 OPS to earn not only Freshman All-American but also National Freshman of the Year honors. His 24 HR tied for 7th in the nation, while his 85 RBIs tied for 6th. Baltz hit safely in all but 10 of his team’s 63 games in 2010. His regular season exclamation point was a 4-for-5, four home run & seven RBI performance against Louisville on May 18. After helping fourth seeded St. John’s win the Big East Tournament, it speaks volumes that Baltz was named the Charlottesville NCAA Regional MVP despite the fact that his team lost to Virginia in the Regional final. His two HR and four RBIs against the Cavs on June 6 forced a winner take all game won by UVA the next day.

7. Taylor Dugas – Alabama

Dugas earned Freshman All-American honors in 2009 after batting .352 with two home runs, 27 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, 61 runs, and a .423 on-base percentage. He also led the 37-win Crimson Tide with 83 hits. Alabama’s primary lead-off man scored the first run of the Mitch Gaspard era in the 2010 season opener. He went on to lead his team with a .393 average, .525 OBP, 70 runs, 19 stolen bases, and 59 walks. In fact, his 59 BB with just 21 K in 243 at-bats gave him a 2.8 strikeout to walk ratio. Dugas’ efforts earned him First Team All-SEC and All-American honors, while Alabama advanced to a Super Regional. He played for the Harwich Mariners in the Cape Cod League last summer.

8. Steve Selsky – Arizona

Selsky comes from an athletic family. His father (also Steve Selsky) was a Major Leaguer, his mother was an Olympic volleyball player, and he has two sisters (including his twin sister Sam) who are Division One volleyball players. Selsky was named a Freshman All-American in 2009 after batting .319 with seven home runs, eight doubles, 21 RBIs, and a .927 OPS. His playing time and production increased last year. Selsky led the Wildcats with a .370 average with nine HR, 17 doubles, 11 stolen bases, and team-highs of 52 RBIs and 57 runs. He also raised his OPS to 1.057. He had a good summer playing for Orleans in the Cape Cod League, batting.273 with four HR and 18 RBIs in 37 games.

9. Tyler Pill – Cal State Fullerton

Pill has thrived as a two-way player in his two seasons in Fullerton. He and teammate (and fellow two-way player) Noe Ramirez were named Co-Big West Freshmen of the Year in 2009. Pill earned Freshman All-American accolades after going 11-3 with 102 IP while batting .269 to help the Titans reach the College World Series. He was limited to nine starts on the mound in 2010 due to a tired arm, but he still finished 4-4 with a 3.36 ERA. Meanwhile, his offensive game took-off, batting .354 with seven home runs, 42 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Pill also hit an amazing .524 (11-for-21) in the five games he hit for him self as the starting pitcher.

10. Preston Tucker – Florida

Tucker shared SEC Freshman of the Year honors with LSU pitcher Matty Ott in 2009, but he earned Freshman All-American honors and became the first Florida Player to be named the NCBWA National Freshman Hitter of the Year. He batted .364 with 15 home runs and 85 RBIs that season. His overall run production dropped in 2010, but Tucker still hit .331 with 11 HR, 17 doubles, 49 RBIs, and 50 runs to help the Gators reach the College World Series. He earned second team All-SEC accolades and was also named to the SEC’s All-Defensive Team. Tucker spent last summer with Orleans in the Cape Cod League. The 6’0 junior played a good deal at first base last year, but he’s expected to play mostly in right field in 2011.

11. Chad Oberacker – Tennessee Tech

Oberacker didn’t have gaudy home run numbers like his former Golden Eagle teammate, A.J. Kirby-Jones (26 HR), but he did have monster overall numbers in 2010. His .354 batting average led his team in his 2009 sophomore season, but his .452 average was third in the nation last year. Oberacker also finished among the DI national leaders in RBIs (70), doubles (29), slugging percentage (.690), and on-base percentage (.527). He had six home runs, five triples, 14 stolen bases, 67 runs, 108 hits, and a 1.217 OPS in ’10. He was also disciplined at the plate, with 34 walks and just 23 strikeouts in 239 at-bats. Oberacker is also a pitcher who has performed as both a starter and reliever over his first three seasons. He is back for his senior season after being drafted in the 19th round last year by the St. Louis Cardinals.

12. Dusty Robinson – Fresno State

Robinson was named a Freshman All-American in 2009 when he batted .319 with 15 home runs, 12 doubles, 52 runs, and 45 RBIs, while making 52 starts in the outfield for the defending national champions. He turned-in another top notch season last year, batting .308 with 16 HR, 11 doubles, and 60 RBIs to earn All-WAC honors for a second straight year. Robinson also sported a .588 slugging percentage and started all 63 Bulldog games in the outfield. His production was overshadowed a bit by the emergence of teammate Jordan Ribera and his 27 home runs in ’10, but Robinson brings 31 career HR and 105 RBIs back with him for his junior season.

13. Jeff Schaus – Clemson

Schaus was consistent in his first two years at Clemson. He sported a .317 average with 16 home runs and 81 RBIs over his first two seasons with the Tigers in 2008 & 2009. The bulk of his RBI total came when he drove-in 51 runs in an All-ACC sophomore campaign. His batting average stayed steady in 2010, but his run production jumped. Schaus batted .320 last year with 15 HR, 14 doubles and a team-leading 87 RBIs to help Clemson reach the College World Series. He had a .542 slugging percentage and was the only Tiger to start all 70 of his team’s games. The 6’1 son of parents who both played college basketball at Canisius has started 193 games in his first three years at Clemson. He’s back for his senior year after being drafted in the 27th round last year by the Cleveland Indians.

14. Jason Coats – TCU

Coats was one of his team’s top all-around players on TCU’s College World Series team last year, and some of his best play came in the postseason. Coats batted a team-best .361 with 13 home runs, 23 doubles, four triples, 68 runs, and 69 RBIs while starting 66 of TCU’s 68 games in left field. His 69 RBIs were also a team-high. Coats’ bat got hot when the stakes were high at the end of the season as well. He hit .433 (13-for-30) in a seven-game hitting streak that started with the Mountain West Conference Tournament opener and ended after the Horned Frogs’ game one Super Regional win over Texas. He also had a three homer game earlier in the season against Houston. The Plano, TX native has a .343 career batting average heading into his junior season.

15. Zach Cone – Georgia

Cone was one of the few bright spots for a Georgia team that finished with a disappointing 16-37 overall record, including 5-23 in the SEC in 2010. After making just 20 starts as a freshman in 2009, Cone was Georgia’s triple crown winner in 2010. The Bulldog’s primary centerfielder topped his team with a .363 average, 10 home runs and 53 RBIs. He was also tops with seven triples, 45 runs, 133 total bases, and a .627 slugging percentage. His 13 stolen bases were second on the Georgia roster, but he was perfect in all 13 attempts. He also led the SEC with nine outfield assists. Cone played for Cotuit in the Cape Cod League over the summer. His brother, Kevin Cone, plays football at Georgia Tech, while his father, Ronny Cone, played football there as well. Cone was a third round draft choice by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2008.

16. Drew Maggi – Arizona State

Maggi has already been drafted twice by Major League teams. He was a 47th round pick out of high school and a 15th round selection by the Pittsburgh Pirates last year. He looks for an even higher draft slot this year after batting .326 with five home runs, 10 doubles, three triples, 41 RBIs, and a team-high 36 stolen bases to earn All-Pac-10 honors in 2010. His game-winning Super Regional home run against Arkansas sent ASU to the College World Series for a second straight year, while he was the only Sun Devil to start all 62 of his team’s games last year. Maggi also broke Barry Bonds‘ ASU freshman record when he stole 21 bases in 2009. He is versatile enough to play shortstop, but a crowded infield will likely keep him in the outfield this year. He and his brother, Beau Maggi, are the sixth set of brothers to play at the same time at Arizona State.

17. Johnny Ruettiger – Arizona State

Reuttiger has emerged from the novelty of being “Rudy” Ruettiger’s nephew to being one of the top college baseball outfielders in the country. He hit .360, while making just 29 starts in his freshman season in 2009, but most of those starts came down the stretch and into the College World Series. Ruettiger then batted .351 with four home runs, seven doubles, seven triples, 49 runs, 35 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases in 2010. He sported a solid .452 on-base percentage that was helped by 30 BB, compared to just 26 strikeouts in 191 at-bats. The Joliet, IL native, whose father, John Ruettiger, once wrestled for Nebraska, also committed no errors while making 54 starts in another CWS appearance. Ruettiger’s stock rose even higher after leading the Cape Cod League with a .369 average over the summer. He stole 11 bases and struckout just nine times in 111 at-bats for Hyannis.

18. Stewart Ijames – Louisville

The man with the silent “j” in his name missed all of 2009 with a shoulder injury, but he came back with a big year in 2010. Ijames was a Freshman All-American in 2008 after batting .351 with eight home runs, 11 doubles and 39 RBIs. He bounced-back last year to hit .324 with 14 home runs, 11 doubles, 47 runs, and 63 RBIs to help the Cardinals win the Big East regular season title and eventual NCAA Regional berth. The 6’1 junior was a 46th round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers out of high school in 2007. He was taken in the 29th round by the New York Yankees last year. Ijames played for Hyannis in the Cape Cod League last summer.

19. Mike McGee – Florida State

McGee has played at a high level for Mike Martin’s Seminoles since his Freshman All-American season in 2008. He batted .344 with six home runs and 34 RBIs, while going 7-1 on the mound that season. His offensive numbers jumped to .378/19/78 in 2009 to go with a 6-2 record. He batted .328/17/78 with a 4-1 record and 13 saves last year to help Florida State reach the College World Series. McGee was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 37th round in 2007 and was picked in the 41st round by the Arizona Diamondbacks last year. He opted to return for his senior season, in part because most pro scouts see him as a pitcher, while he would like to remain an everyday player.

20. Daniel Bowman – Coastal Carolina

Bowman earned Freshman All-American honors in 2009 after batting .333 with 13 home runs, 14 doubles, 53 runs, and 54 RBIs. His batting average dipped to .279 last year, but his other numbers were nearly identical with 15 HR, 13 doubles, 53 runs, and 53 RBIs. He was one of just two Chanticleers to start all 65 games for a team that reached the Super Regionals. The 6’1 Bridgewater, VA native was named Big South Tournament MVP after pounding three home runs with nine RBIs in the tourney. He led the Chants with 17 RBIs during the postseason. Bowman has also been stellar in the field, with no errors in 254 chances in his first two seasons. He played for Bourne in the Cape Cod League and reached the finals of the Cape All-Star home run derby at Fenway Park.

21. Andy Mee – Florida Atlantic

Mee might fly a little below the radar for the Owls at FAU, but he is not only a good outfielder, but also one of the top two-way players in the country. After spending two years at Santa Fe College, Mee led his team with a .378 batting average and also tied for the Sun Belt Conference lead with 11 saves in 2010. Mee added eight home runs, 17 doubles, five triples, 55 RBIs, and 55 runs at the plate as well as a 2.96 ERA in 21 relief appearances and 24 1/3 innings on the mound. Mee also had a very good summer for the Mat-Su Miners of the Alaska League, batting .353 with a league-high 37 RBIs.

22. Kyle Gaedele – Valparaiso

Gaedele plays for a small school in the Horizon League, but his 6’4, 220 pound frame is the build that scouts love. He batted .373 with seven home runs, eight triples, 19 doubles, 17 stolen bases, and 63 RBIs for the Crusaders in 2010. The Arlington Heights, IL native was drafted in the 32nd round by the Tampa Bay Rays out of high school, but he opted to play at Valpo for former Big Leaguer Tracy Woodson instead (Woodson was a member of the L.A. Dodgers‘ 1988 championship team). A junior, Gaedele looks to go higher in this year’s draft after the summer he had for the Madison Mallards in the Northwoods League. He broke four franchise records, including nine HR, and led the league in three offensive categories, including 56 runs scored. Baseball America ranked him as the #2 prospect in the league.

23. Jabari Henry – Florida International

The bulk of the spotlight at FIU was on Garrett Wittels and his pursuit of history in 2010, but Henry had a very good season as well. Henry was named Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American after batting .315 with 12 home runs, 10 doubles, 51 RBIs, and 47 runs. He had a .606 slugging percentage and had solidplate discipline, with 32 BB and 36 Ks in 165 at-bats in ’10. An injury ended his season early in the Gainesville NCAA Regional, but he homered off Texas A&M’s Barret Loux (#6 overall MLB draft pick) in his only at-bat. Henry was drafted in the 39th round by the Texas Rangers in the 2009 draft.

24. Willie Argo – Illinois

How versatile is Argo? As a freshman in 2009 (when he hit three homers in his first college game at LSU), Argo hit .355 with 47 RBIS, 46 runs, a 1.072 OPS, 11 doubles, and a team-high 12 home runs as a middle of the order batter for the Illini. He also stole 10 bases that year while earning Freshman All-American honors. Argo’s power numbers went down last year, but he hit .318 with 33 RBIs, 46 runs, six triples, four homers, and a school-record 41 stolen bases (7th in the nation) as Illinois’ leadoff man. Many consider Argo an “athlete” who is still developing as a baseball player. The Davenport, IA native earned 13 total varsity letters in four sports (football, baseball, wrestling, and track) in high school. Argo was drafted in the 49th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008. He figures to go much higher this year. He also once hit a home run off the famed Lamade Statue in centerfield at the 2001 Little League World Series.

25. Logan Vick – Baylor

Vick earned Freshman All-American status after batting .329 with 10 home runs, 17 doubles, 27 RBIs, and a team-high 59 runs in 2010. His 29 extra base hits and .473 on-base percentage are the best ever by a Baylor freshman, while his 59 walks (which were 12 more than his next two teammates combined) are a single-season program record. Vick thrived in the postseason as well. He reached base in all six plate appearances in Baylor’s Big 12 Tournament opener and wound-up on the All-Tournament Team. Vick also homered twice in the Ft. Worth NCAA Regional to help the Bears reach the championship round before falling to host TCU.

26. Brian Barnett – Nevada

Barnett made an immediate impact in his first season as a Division One player after spending his first two seasons in the juco ranks at Western Nevada College. He batted .348 last year, while leading the Wolfpack in HR (18), RBIs (71), and slugging percentage (.701). He also had 21 doubles, nine stolen bases, scored 52 runs, and had an 1.103 OPS. Barnett totaled 21 home runs and 96 RBIs in his two junior college seasons. He helped Western Nevada to a third-place finish at the 2009 Junior College World Series.

27. Brandon Meredith – San Diego State

It’s hard enough for a Major Leaguer to homer at San Diego’s Petco Park, let alone a high school player. That didn’t stop Meredith from becoming the first prep player to go yard at Petco when it did it in 2008. He kept it going when he got to SDSU, batting .309 with seven home runs, 17 doubles, and 44 RBIs. His 63 starts in his 2009 freshman season were the most of any player on an Aztec team that advanced to the Irvine NCAA Regional. A 15th round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008, Meredith led San Diego State with his .383 average last year. He also hit seven HR with 11 doubles, 54 RBIs and a 1.026 OPS.

28. Cohl Walla – Texas

Walla didn’t have to go far when it came time to go to college. The 6’3 outfielder went to Lake Travis High School just outside Austin, where he won a 2007 state championship. He was even on the receiving end of 12 touchdown passes from current Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert when the two were high school teammates in 2007. Walla made a name for himself on the Disch-Falk diamond in 2010. His .316 average was the third-best for the Super Regional Longhorns. He had eight home runs with 12 doubles, 41 runs, 40 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases during his freshman campaign. Walla was a 49th round draft choice of the Washington Nationals in 2009.

29. Bobby Crocker – Cal Poly

Crocker has earned All-Big West recognition in each of his first two seasons at Cal Poly. He batted .323 with 24 RBIs and 10 stolen bases as a freshman in 2009. He hit .447 (17-for-48) over the Mustang’s last 12 games to help them reach the Tempe NCAA Regional for the program’s first-ever NCAA bid. The 6’3 Aromas, CA native then led the Mustangs with his .353 average and 49 RBIs last year, to go along with 15 doubles, 42 runs and a team-best 18 stolen bases. Crocker was drafted in the 38th round by the Oakland A’s in 2008.

30. Chris Benson – Utah Valley

Benson batted .408 last year, but he didn’t even lead his team in that category. Jace Brinkerhoff’s .456 average led the Wolverines, but Benson led his team in most other categories, including slugging percentage (.744), triples (11), total bases (195), and a nation-leading 89 RBIs. His 107 hits were the second-most in school history behind Brinkerhoff’s 118. Benson also had a school record 24-game hitting streak during the season. His freshman season was in 2006, but his sophomore year didn’t come until 2009 after he completed his LDS mission. He hit for the cycle in a game in that first year back. Utah Valley won 42 games last year, but stayed home in June because the Great West Conference does not receive an automatic NCAA bid.

Others To Watch…

Beau Amaral – UCLA

Patrick Biondi – Michigan

Kevin Brown – Bryant

Garrett Custons – Air Force

Josh Elander – TCU

Tyler Gaffney – Stanford

Brett Krill – UCLA

Drew Martinez – Memphis

Mark Micowski – Georgia State

Stephen Piscotty – Stanford

Brance Rivera – TCU

Matt Smith – Mississippi

Max White – Oklahoma

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Top 11 First basemen To Watch In 2011

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Big East Baseball 2011 Preseason Poll

Sean Stires — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 22:24:01 +0000

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UConn Tabbed As Coaches’ Favorite…

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – After winning a school-record 48 games and advancing to the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 1994, Connecticut has been chosen as the favorite to win the 2011 BIG EAST college baseball championship by the league’s 12 head coaches.

Matt Barnes

The Huskies received nine of a possible 11 first-place votes in the preseason poll. The coaches also chose Connecticut outfielder George Springer as the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year and named righthanded pitcher Matt Barnes the BIG EAST Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

Connecticut returns seven starting position players and its top two pitchers from last year’s team, which went 48-16 overall and 20-6 in the BIG EAST Conference, finishing a half-game behind Louisville in the regular-season standings. The Huskies advanced to the BIG EAST Championship final for the third time in the last four years and hosted the Norwich Regional of the NCAA Championship.

George Springer

Connecticut’s returning starters include Springer, who hit .337 with 18 home runs, 62 runs batted in and 33 stolen bases last season, and Barnes, the Huskies’ Friday starter who went 8-3 with a 3.92 ERA in 2010. First baseman Mike Nemeth (.386, 15 HR, 84 RBI) joined Springer and Barnes as unanimous Preseason All-BIG EAST selections, while designated hitter Kevin Vance (.322, 7 HR, 36 RBI) was named to the team as well.

St. John’s, which went 43-20 overall and 16-11 in BIG EAST play, was picked second in the preseason poll, edging Louisville with 107 points. The Red Storm won a record sixth BIG EAST Championship last season and were selected for the NCAA Regionals for the third time in the last four years. Outfielder Jeremy Baltz (.396, 24 HR, 85 RBI), a Baseball America All-America First Team pick and the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year last season, was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, along with righthanded pitcher Kyle Hansen (8-3, 3.71 ERA), who was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2010 BIG EAST Championship.

Louisville was picked third with 105 points following a 2010 season in which the Cardinals went 50-14 overall, won the BIG EAST regular-season title at 21-6 in the conference, and earned the No. 7 national seed in the NCAA Championship. Louisville set a school record for wins and finished the year ranked as high as No. 16 nationally. Second baseman Ryan Wright (.366, 16 HR, 80 RBI) was unanimously chosen to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, joining outfielder Stewart Ijames (.324, 14 HR, 63 RBI).

USF (26-32, 16-11 BIG EAST) was picked fourth in the preseason poll with 87 points on the strength of two of the top pitchers in the BIG EAST. Southpaw Andrew Barbosa went 8-2 with a BIG EAST-leading 2.40 ERA, while righthander Randy Fontanez went 5-7 with a 3.59 ERA and led the conference in innings (110.1) and strikeouts (105) last season. Both pitchers were chosen to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team.

Pittsburgh was tabbed fifth by the BIG EAST coaches with 82 points. The Panthers went 38-18 overall and 18-8 in the BIG EAST last year, finishing third in the regular-season standings, but will have to replace the production of 2010 BIG EAST Player of the Year Joe Leonard. Catcher Kevan Smith (.361, 5 HR, 46 RBI) and lefthanded pitcher Matt Iannazzo (11-2, 3.76 ERA) were the Panthers’ Preseason All-BIG EAST picks.

Rutgers was chosen sixth in the preseason poll with 75 points. The Scarlet Knights played a challenging schedule to a 30-26 overall record and a 15-12 mark in BIG EAST play last year, finishing sixth in the conference. Steve Nyisztor was the Preseason All-BIG EAST choice at shortstop after he hit .410 with four home runs and 51 RBI last year, while Ryan Kapp (.318, 9 HR, 39 RBI) was chosen as a designated hitter.

Cincinnati (29-29, 13-14 BIG EAST ) and Notre Dame (22-32, 10-17 BIG EAST) tied for seventh in the preseason poll with 56 points. The Bearcats will have 15 new players and 16 returning letterwinners in 2011, including righthanded pitcher Andrew Strenge, who set a BIG EAST record with a 0.62 ERA in BIG EAST games as a freshman. Overall, Strenge went 7-1 with a 1.93 ERA to lead a strong Bearcat staff. Notre Dame and new head coach Mik Aoki are led by second baseman Frank DeSico (.333, 1 HR, 25 RBI) as the Irish look to return to the BIG EAST Championship in 2011.

West Virginia was picked ninth in the preseason poll with 38 points. The Mountaineers were 27-30 overall and 10-17 in BIG EAST play last season, qualifying for the BIG EAST Championship on the last day of the regular season. Third baseman Grant Buckner (.363, 8 HR, 50 RBI) was the Mountaineers’ lone representative on the Preseason All-BIG EAST team.

Villanova was 10th in the preseason poll with 31 points, followed by Seton Hall (25 points ) and Georgetown (13 points). The Hoyas placed catcher Erick Fernandez (.315, 5 HR, 29 RBI) on the Preseason All-BIG EAST team.

The 2011 baseball season begins Feb. 18 with the early season highlighted by the third annual BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge taking place in Florida. The first weekend of league play is March 25-27 with all 12 schools in action. The 2011 BIG EAST Baseball Championship will return to Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla., May 25-29, with the championship game to be televised on ESPNU.

2011 Preseason BIG EAST Baseball Coaches’ Poll

1. Connecticut (9) 117

2. St. John’s (2) 107

3. Louisville (1) 105

4. USF 87

5. Pittsburgh 82

6. Rutgers 75

7. Cincinnati 56

7. Notre Dame 56

9. West Virginia 38

10. Villanova 31

11. Seton Hall 25

12. Georgetown 13

Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year:

George Springer, OF, Connecticut

Preseason BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year:

Matt Barnes, RHP, Connecticut

Preseason All-BIG EAST Team

Pos. Name, Class, School Key 2010 Stats

P Matt Barnes, Sr., Connecticut * 8-3, 3.92 ERA, 82.2 IP, 75K, 25 BB, .257 OBA

P Matt Iannazzo, Jr., Pittsburgh 11-2, 3.76 ERA, 93.1 IP, 58 K, 22 BB, .289 OBA

P Kyle Hansen, So., St. John’s 8-3, 3.71 ERA, 94.2 IP, 85 K, 38 BB, .227 OBA

P Randy Fontanez, Sr., USF 5-7, 3.59 ERA, 110.1 IP, 105 K, 28 BB, .241 OBA

P Andrew Barbosa, Sr., USF 8-2, 2.40 ERA, 86.1 IP, 95 K, 22 BB, .228 OBA

C Erick Fernandez, Sr., Georgetown .315, 5 HR, 29 RBI

C Kevan Smith, Sr., Pittsburgh .361, 5 HR, 46 RBI

1B Mike Nemeth, Sr., Connecticut * .386, 15 HR, 84 RBI

2B Ryan Wright, Jr., Louisville * .366, 16 HR, 80 RBI, 10 SB

SS Steve Nyisztor, So., Rutgers .410, 4 HR, 51 RBI, 11 SB

3B Grant Buckner, Sr., West Virginia .363, 8 HR, 50 RBI

OF George Springer, Jr., Connecticut * .337, 18 HR, 62 RBI, 33 SB

OF Stewart Ijames, Jr., Louisville .324, 14 HR, 63 RBI

OF Jeremy Baltz, So., St. John’s * .396, 24 HR, 85 RBI

DH Kevin Vance, Jr., Connecticut .322, 7 HR, 36 RBI

DH Ryan Kapp, Jr., Rutgers .318, 9 HR, 39 RBI

* – unanimous selection

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Collegiate Baseball 2011 Preseason All-American Teams

Sean Stires — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 00:59:54 +0000

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UCLA Duo Heads Louisville Slugger Teams…

Collegiate Baseball Newspaper has announced its 2011 Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American teams. UCLA pitchers Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer are the only teammates to be named first team All-Americans. The duo helped leads the Bruins to a runner-up finish at the 2010 College World Series. Bauer was 12-3 with a 3.03 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 2010, while Gerrit was 11-4 with a 3.37 ERA and 153 Ks.

UCLA's Trevor Bauer

Other first team pitchers are Matt Purke-TCU (16-0, 3.02 ERA), Taylor Jungmann-Texas (8-3, 2.03 ERA), Danny Hultzen-Virginia (11-1, 2.78 ERA), Noe Ramirez-Cal State Fullerton (12-1, 2.54 ERA), and John Stilson-Texas A&M (9-1, 10 SV, 0.80 ERA).

First team position players are C-Peter O’Brien-Bethune-Cookman (.386-20 HR), 1B-Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee State (25 HR, .421), 2B-Zack MacPhee-Arizona St. (.389, 20 SB), 3B-Anthony Rendon-Rice.394, 26 HR), SS-B.A. Vollmuth-Southern Mississippi (.386, 20 HR), OF-Jackie Bradley, Jr.-South Carolina (.368, 13 HR), OF-Alex Dickerson-Indiana (.419, 24 HR), OF-George Springer-Connecticut (.337, 18 HR, 33 SB), DH-Garrett Wittels-Florida International (.413, 56-game hitting streak), UT-Mike McGee-Florida State (.328, 17 HR).

Purke is projected by Collegiate Baseball as the National Player of the Year.

Click here to see the complete 2011 Louisville Slugger Preseason 1st, 2nd and 3rd Teams

Give a unique gift this Christmas from Dugouthats.com! The Dugout in Omaha has officially licensed 2010 College World Series memorabilia that would make the perfect gift this holiday season and it’s all marked-down right now!

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Penders’ Pride Powers Huskies Program

College Baseball 360 — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:17:44 +0000

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A bit later than I intended, but I’m back with another Inside the Webb edition, and the latest round takes one last look inside the Big East where a coach is doing great things at his alama mater.

Jim Penders knows what going to Omaha means. As a child, Penders heard stories of college baseball’s holy grail from his father Jim and his uncle Tom, as both played on the hallowed grounds of Rosenblatt Stadium as members of Connecticut’s 1965 College World Series team.

Jim Penders

While the Huskies have accomplished a lot and made significant strides during Penders’ tenure, with the tradition within the Penders’ family as well as the Huskies’ program, he knows there is still work to be done.

“We still have a long way to go,” said Penders. “As a program we have been to Omaha five times and I want to get back as a participant. But I certainly am proud of the progress that has been made.”

The expectations and level of success sought to be obtained by the Huskies are displayed day in and day out, with a constant reminder of the excellence that preceded Penders.

“I’m just the third coach in the program since J.O. Christian,” said Penders referring to the legendary Huskies’ skipper who coached from 1936-61. “Larry Panciera (1962-79), Andy Blalock (1980-2003), and Christian all have their numbers retired and names on the outfield wall. It’s is a reminder of the standard you have to live up to and gives me pride to put on the Blue & White.”

Those mentioned standards could explain why though the Huskies set a program record with 48 wins in their 64 games played a season ago, Penders alluded to the fact his team did not reach any of the benchmarks set forth and there is not a sense of complacency settling in.

“We did not reach any of the goals we set last year,” said the coach who is now entering his eighth season. “Our goals were not to host a Regional, or to win 48 games, nor to win 22 in a row. We set our goals to win the Big East, win a Regional, and win a Super Regional to get to Omaha. We didn’t do any of those.”

Those failures have allowed Penders to keep his players hungry and humble as the 2011 season nears, but so too do the actions of the former Huskie himself.

“During the first meeting of the year I read the team an article,” said Penders. “It was a 2010 preseason article where I substituted Ohio State with Connecticut, Buckeyes for Huskies, their player’s names with ours, and our players thought that article was really about us.”

Penders hopes his Huskies do not follow the course that would embark the Buckeyes who were ranked as high as 14th in the preseason before finishing 2010 with a 28-23 record. Tying for seventh in the Big Ten, Ohio State failed to make the conference’s postseason tournament, let alone a Regional.

“We have a ton of respect for Ohio State, for what Coach Todd did who is a Hall of Fame coach, and the unbelievable amount of success they have had,” said Penders. “But I know they didn’t reach their goals and I just wanted our guys to be aware of that. You can get caught up in hype. Preseason rankings and such is very useful for recruits and boosters to feel good about, but it is absolute poison to us within the program.”

“Every year the media likes to pick a Northern sweetheart. Everyone falls in love with a Northern team that might get to Omaha. We refuse to drink the poison.”
While Penders wants his team to avoid the poison and to have blinders to the preseason hype, internally the bar has been raised and the desire to fulfill high expectations churn, if not publicly.

“We really focused on everyday keeping the same attitude,” said Penders on the autumn practice environment. “With talent we have back, we’re confident we’re capable of getting there, but at the same time, just as we are, there are 300 other teams that are undefeated at this moment. We’re never going to be afraid of talking about Omaha and getting there, but we also don’t talk about it every day. We talk about hitting the outside pitch, getting bunts down, running the bases properly.”

Before steps to Omaha can be made, steps to the top of the Big East ladder need be made first. As Louisville under Dan McDonnell has become the powerhouse program, Penders knows in order to reach the ultimate goal they first need to conquer those closer to home.

“We expect to compete for the Big East championship,” said Penders once again mentioning the first Connecticut baseball goal. “If we focus on the same goal, of the Big East title, nowadays if you win that, the rest, Regionals, and hosting, you’re in competition for.”

Each step Connecticut makes, every goal it achieves, and the success the program encounters is doubly special for Penders who has spent 18 of the past 20 years inside the Huskies’ program. As a player from 1991-1994, Connecticut advanced to NCAA Regionals in Penders’ final two seasons, also winning the Big East in 1994, a season Penders was a co-captain catcher.

UConn hosted an NCAA Regional at Thomas Dodd Stadium in 2010.

After two years away from the Storrs, Connecticut campus, Penders served as a graduate assistant for two seasons before becoming a full-time assistant coach under Baylock from 1999 until taking over for his former coach following the 2003 season.

Now at the helm of what many feel is the most talented Connecticut team ever, Penders is in a position to cement his legacy among the great Huskie coaches. With a team that returns seven position players, all of which batted .300 or better led by a shoe-in first-round draft pick junior outfielder George Springer, and two thirds of its weekend rotation, also bolstered by an expected first-round pick in Matt Barnes, the chance for a special season is a reality for Connecticut.

While the head coach knows that the talent is there, he knows the Huskies will only go as far as their hard work will take them, a staple that has been passed down from Christian, to Panciera, to Baylock, and now Penders.

“We emphasize staying level and controlling what you can control. Focus, attitude, and effort are the only three things that you can control and mastering those is what we need to work on, said Penders. “I pride myself on never being too high, never being too low.”

When it is all said and done, Penders may be forced to take pride in one last thing, the 2011 season. A season that looks to be ready to someday have stories told of a special Huskies team can be passed down to the next generation of Penders.

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USA Collegiate Baseball Team Advances To Gold Medal Game

Sean Stires — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:47:08 +0000

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Will Play For V FISU World Championship…

Tokyo, Japan – Sonny Gray (Vanderbilt) scattered three hits over seven innings and George Springer (Connecticut) hit a grand slam as USA defeated host team Japan 4-2 in semi-final action at the V FISU World University Baseball Championships inside Yokohama Stadium Thursday night. With the win, USA (16-2) will make its fourth-straight appearance in the FISU gold medal game when they square off against Cuba on Saturday, Aug. 7 at 5 a.m. (EST).

George Springer

Gray, who improved to 3-0 on the summer, allowed two runs (one earned) and struck out six to push his summer total to 37 punch outs. The right-hander surrendered a run in each of the first two innings before settling down where he allowed just four base runners of the next five innings, two of those reaching second base. Noe Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton) notched his fifth of the season after tossing hitless innings allowing a walk and striking out three.

Yuki Saitoh, who suffered the loss, made one mistake on the night serving up a bases loaded home run to Springer on a first pitch offering in the first stanza. The right-hander was touched for four runs on four hits with four punch outs over six innings of work. From the third to sixth frame he allowed four runners to reach base and fanned four. Japan’s bullpen was stellar as Masahiro Inui tossed a scoreless seventh and Tatsuya Oishi struck out the side in the eighth.

Sonny Gray

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom half of the first, Springer put USA up for good, 4-1, with his second home run of the summer. Nolan Fontana (Florida) drew a one-out walk, Jackie Bradley, Jr. (South Carolina) singled to left and Ryan Wright (Louisville) loaded the bases when he was plunked by a Saitoh pitch setting up Springer’s monster shot to left field that went 10 rows deep.

Shouta Ishimine scored the game’s first run on a passed ball in the top of the first inning giving Japan an early 1-0. Ishimine walked to start the frame then took second on failed pick off and third on a sac bunt by Kimio Watanabe.

In the second, Japan cut USA’s lead in half, 4-2, when Fumiya Araki plated Kouichiro Matsumoto on a ground ball to third. Matsumoto doubled to start the inning and moved to third on a ground out to short before touching home.

Notes: Jason Esposito had his nine-game hitting streak snapped with a 0-for-3 performance from the plate … Sonny Gray improved to 6-1 during his two-year career with the Collegiate National Team … He has 64 strikeouts to 12 walks in 48.0 innings of work … George Springer took the team lead in RBI (17) on his grand slam and is tied for second with 20 base hits behind Jackie Bradley, Jr.

(USA Baseball Release)

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USA Collegiate Baseball Team Downs Chinese Taipei

Sean Stires — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:11:49 +0000

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Team USA Prevails In Extra Innings…

Tokyo, Japan – Nick Ramirez’ (Cal State Fullerton) single in the 11th inning scored Ryan Wright (Louisville) from second base giving USA a thrilling 8-7 win over Chinese Taipei in pool play Sunday night at Meiji Jingu Stadium.

The game took two tie-break extra-innings to produce a winner, where both squads scored a run in the 10th before USA won the game in the bottom of the 11th. The International Baseball Federation’s (IBAF) tie-break rule, which was implemented in July of 2008, starts in the 10th stanza and each inning needed thereafter, base runners are placed on first and second with no outs.

With Wright on second and George Springer (Connecticut) on first, Ramirez celebrated his birthday by lacing a 1-0 offering from Wen Hsu back up the middle, easily scoring Wright for the walk-off win.

The 3-hour, 58-minute affair saw five lead changes and a combined 33 hits. Brian Johnson (Florida) notched the win working three innings of relief where he fanned five and allowed one run (unearned) on four hits. Starter Gerrit Cole (UCLA) fanned eight over six innings giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits. Noe Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton) and Scott McGough (Oregon) each tossed an inning of relief where they were touched for two runs.

Wen Hsu absorbed the loss allowing two runs on two hits in an inning of relief. Kuan Chen went five innings, surrendering two runs on six hits. Tsung Tseng and Yu Lin each gave up two runs on four hits in their outings on the bump.

Trailing 6-5 going to the bottom of the ninth, Wright knotted the game at six when he stroked the first pitch he saw from Yu Lin over the left field wall, sending the game into extra innings.

In the 10th, Wei Chen reached on bases loaded infield single that plated Chun Lin for a 7-6 advantage. Chinese Taipei started the frame with Hung Lai on second, Chun Lin on first base and Huang Chih at the dish. Chih singled to short loading the bases for Wei Lin, who reached on a fielder’s choice when Jason Esposito (Vanderbilt) gunned down Hung Lai at the plate.

Jackie Bradley, Jr. (South Carolina) tied the game in the bottom half of the tenth on his base knock through the left side that scored Mikie Mahtook (LSU) from second base. USA place Mahtook on second and Drew Maggi (Arizona State) on first and set their batting order to have Brad Miller (Clemson) leadoff the 10th, under the IBAF tie-breaker rules.

Chinese Taipei took an early 1-0 advantage in the first Chen Hung’s ground out to short that scored Hsien Yang, who doubled off Cole on the first pitch of the contest. Yang moved to third on a passed ball and trotted home during Hung’s at-bat.

Maggi gave USA a 2-1 lead in the third thanks to a two-RBI single through the left side that pushed across Peter O’Brien (Bethune-Cookman) and Mahtook.

After Chinese Taipei tied the game at two in the third inning, the game remained tied until the seventh when Yin Lan singled home Wei Chen and Chen Hung drove home Lan on a base hit to left before being put out at second base when he tried to stretch his single into a double, putting the score at 4-2.

Miller’s two-RBI pinch hit double in the bottom of the seventh scored O’Brien and Mahtook and tied the game at four with one out. New Chinese Taipei pitcher Yu Lin struck out Bradley, Jr. for the second out before Wright doubled home Miller for a 5-4 advantage.

In the ninth, Chinese Taipei took a 6-5 lead Kuan Yang’s single up the middle that plated Yin Lan, who doubled to right center scoring Yi Huang for the first run of the stanza, setting up the dramatic extra two innings.

The Collegiate National Team will be back on the diamond Monday, Aug. 2 when they square off against Canada at Yokohama Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 5 a.m. (EST).

(USA Baseball Release)

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US Collegiate Baseball Team Pounds Sri Lanka

Sean Stires — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:56:59 +0000

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Gray Sets USA FISU Strikeout Record In Win…

Tokyo, Japan – Sonny Gray (Vanderbilt) struck out a career-best 14 batters setting a new USA FISU single-game record as the Collegiate National Team (CNT) used the 15-run rule after five innings to record its first win at the V FISU World University Championships Friday afternoon over Sri Lanka, 15-0 at Utsumi Shimaoka Ball Park.

Sonny Gray

Gray was unhittable through 3 1/3 inning retiring 10 in a row, nine by strikeout, before Theekshana Gammanpila singled down the right field line on a ball that hit first base and popped over the head of Nick Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton). In all the right-hander allowed just two runners to reach base, one was on a wild pitch strikeout) and faced two over the minimum through five innings (17 hitters) notching his second win of the summer tour. With his 14-strikeout performance, Gray also tied a CNT single-game record for punch outs joining Jason Jennings (7/1/98) and B.J. Wallace (7/20/02) in the record books.

Offensively, Team USA pounded out 12 hits and plated multiple runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings, which was finished off by back-to-back solo home runs by George Springer (Connecticut) and Nick Ramirez.

USA (12-2) manufactured a run in the first stanza on a sac fly by Jackie Bradley, Jr. (South Carolina) putting CNT up 1-0. Drew Maggi (Arizona State) doubled to right center then moved to third on Nolan Fontana’s (Florida) ground out to first before touching home on Bradley, Jr.’s long fly to center.

Neranjan Mudiyanselage (0-1) held Team USA scoreless in the second, but couldn’t overcome a six-hit, seven-run third that put USA up 8-0. Consecutive singles by Mikie Mahtook (LSU), Maggi and Fontana produced the first run before Ryan Wright (Louisville) and Springer drove in runs on one-out base hits. Mahtook completed the frame with a bases loaded triple, his second hit of the inning, scoring Springer, Nick Ramirez and Jason Esposito (Vanderbilt).

Mudiyanselage went 3 1/3 innings allowing 11 runs (nine earned) on eight hits with two strikeouts. Rajitha Dulige and Prasad Arachchilage both gave up two runs on two hits in two-third’s of an inning.

Team USA’s five-run fourth was highlighted by Esposito’s three-run double to left center. Bradley, Jr. reached on an error then scored on Wright’s double to left center. Springer drew a one-out walk and Nick Ramirez was plunked in the back loading the bases for Esposito’s two-bagger, where he advanced to third on an errant throw by the center fielder. Peter O’Brien (Bethune-Cookman) plated Esposito on a sac fly to right capping the inning.

The Collegiate National Team will be back on the diamond Sunday, Aug. 1 when the take on Chinese Taipei inside Meiji Jingu Stadium at 5 a.m. (EST).

Notes: Team USA will conduct a 2-3 hour practice on Saturday, July 31 … In other play in USA’s bracket, Canada topped Chinese Taipei 3-2 … Mikie Mahtook led all USA hitters with three hits and three RBI … Jason Esposito extended his current hit streak to six games with his double in the fourth … Team USA’s pitching staff lowered its ERA to 1.08 on the summer … Sonny Gray now has 31 strikeouts in 17.0 innings this summer.

(USA Baseball Release)

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USA Collegiate Baseball Team Downs Chinese-Taipei

Sean Stires — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:27:25 +0000

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O’Brien Homers In Win…

Taipei, Taiwan – Pete O’Brien (Bethune-Cookman) hit his fourth home run of the season and drove in two runs to help the Collegiate National Team (CNT) snap its two-game skid against Chinese-Taipei Tuesday with a 6-3 victory at Hsinchuang Field. With the win Team USA improves to 10-2 on its summer tour.

Pete O'Brien

O’Brien’s fielder’s choice RBI in the fourth inning broke a one-all and gave USA the lead for good at 2-1. George Springer (Connecticut) singled to right to start the inning and moved over to second when Nick Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton) was hit by a pitch. Jason Esposito (Vanderbilt) advanced the runner’s on a sac bunt towards first before Springer sprinted home on O’Brien’s grounder to short.

Gerrit Cole (UCLA) posted his second win of the season after working a pre-determined four innings. Cole (2-0) allowed one run (unearned) on two hits with four punch outs and a pair of walks. Matt Barnes (Connecticut) also went four frames surrendering two runs on two hits with six strikeouts. Cal State Fullerton’s Noe Ramirez notched his team-leading fourth save tossing a perfect ninth with a strikeout.

Drew Maggi (Arizona State) scored on a wild pitch in the first inning staking USA to an early 1-0 lead. Maggi drew a leadoff walk then promptly swiped before Nolan Fontana (Florida) walked putting men at first and second with no outs. Jackie Bradley, Jr. moved both runner’s up 90-feet on a sac bunt prior to Maggi scoring during Ryan Wright’s (Louisville) at-bat.

Chinese-Taipei knotted the game at one in the bottom half of the first when Wei-Ting Lin scored on a passed ball with two outs. Lin singled to right and took second when USA outfielder Mikie Mahtook (LSU) misplayed the ball. Chen-Yu Hung pushed Lin over to third on a ground out back to Cole setting up the tying run.

O’Brien extended CNT’s lead to 3-1 in the sixth with a towering solo home run down the left field line.

RBI base knocks by Bradley, Jr. and Nick Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton) highlighted a three-run seventh for Team USA that pushed the lead to five, 6-1. Maggi reached on a bunt single, advanced to second on a wild pitch then stole third before crossing home when Bradley, Jr. singled back to the pitcher. With one out and runners on first and second, Springer loaded the bases with the third infield single of the inning, a high chopper to second shortly before Nick Ramirez reached on a fielder’s choice that scored both Fontana and Bradley, Jr.

Chinese-Taipei plated a pair of runs in the bottom half of the seventh cutting the lead in half, 6-3.

Starter Chuang-Ju Liao suffered the loss allowing two runs (both earned) on three hits in three innings. Hao Chiu allowed one run and Hung-Cheng Lai gave up three runs each in an inning of work. Yu-Hsun Chen and Yu-Ching Lin tossed two innings hitless relief.

Team USA will look to even the series Wednesday, July 28 when the two teams square-off in the final game of the four-game international friendly series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. (EST).

Notes: Drew Maggi is a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts on the summer after swiping two on Tuesday night … Gerrit Cole improved to 6-0 for his career with Team USA.

(USA Baseball Release)

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USA Collegiate National Team Stays Unbeaten

Sean Stires — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:35:20 +0000

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Plays Japan Wednesday Night At Rosenblatt…

PAPILLION, NE — George Springer (Connecticut) collected two hits and drove in three runs, while Brett Mooneyham (Stanford) scattered three hits over five innings to pace Team USA to an 8-4 win over the Omaha Diamond Spirit of the MINK League Tuesday night at E.A. Fricke Field. With the win the Collegiate National Team (CNT) improves to 7-0 on the summer.

George Springer

Springer, who played all three positions in the outfield Tuesday, singled in the fourth with the bases loaded pushing CNT’s lead to 5-0. After Brian Johnson (Florida) walked with the bases juiced, Springer sent a 1-2 offering back up the middle scoring Nolan Fontana (Florida) and Ryan Wright (Louisville) extending the lead to 5-0. Drew Maggi’s (Arizona State) pinch hit bunt single scored Johnson and Peter O’Brien reached on a fielding error by third baseman Dan Smolinski producing two more runs for an 8-1 lead.

The Diamond Spirit made things interesting in the eighth inning scoring three runs to cut the lead in half at 8-4. Brett Koehn doubled down the right field line to get things started and came home on Smolinski’s infield single. Michael Blatchford cleared the bases with two outs on a double to left center that pushed home JD Herman and Smolinski.

Mooneyham (1-0), who allowed a run on two hits in the first inning, struck out four with no walks and allowed just one more base hit over the next four frames. Kyle Winkler (Texas Christian) tossed the final four innings allowing three runs (all earned) on five this with five punch outs and a walk.

Omaha’s Matt Tew suffered the loss after working one inning in relief where he was touched for a pair of runs on one hit with three walks. Starter Steven Bougher kept Team USA off the board in his two innings of work, while Cory Buckley, Jake Johansen, Aaron Gilbreath and Greg Hellhake combined to keep the Collegiate National Team scoreless for the final 4 1/3 innings. Dylan Badura didn’t fair to well as he was roughed up for six runs (four earned) on four hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Blatchford put Omaha up 1-0 early in the first on a single to right field that scored Anthony Bazant from third. Bazant singled to start the game then took second on a wild pitch and third on a throwing error by O’Brien, who overthrew Mooneyham after Brandon Winkelmann struck out swinging.

Team USA took the lead in the third scoring a pair of runs for a 2-1 lead. Brad Miller (Clemson) knotted the game at one when he scored on a throwing error from the shortstop Brandon Bass. Springer pushed across the go-ahead run with a double down the left field line that scored Alex Dickerson (Indiana) from second.

USA will be back in action on Wednesday, July 21, when they play host to the Japanese Collegiate All-Stars inside historic Rosenblatt Stadium with a first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.

Notes: Collegiate National Team alum Warren Morris will be an honorary captain for Team USA against Japan Wednesday. Morris, a two-time CNT member, hit a walk-off home run against Miami in the ninth inning to give Louisiana State a 9-8 win and the title in 1996. He was voted Most Valuable Player of the U.S./Japan series while with Team USA in 1995, and in 1996, as a member of the U.S. Olympic Baseball Team, Morris helped lead his club to a bronze medal (the Collegiate National Team represented the United States in the baseball competition at the Atlanta Olympic Games) … Joining Team USA as an auxiliary coach on Wednesday is University of Oregon’s head coach George Horton. Horton, a two-time National Coach of the Year, led his alma mater Cal State Fullerton to the 2004 College World Series title. He is one of nine men to have appeared in Omaha as a player (1975) and a head coach. Horton’s teams at Cal State Fullerton have reached a No. 1 ranking in national polls in part(s) of the 1999, 2001 and 2003-06 seasons.

(USA Baseball Release)

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College Baseball Stats Leaders-May 19

Sean Stires — Wed, 19 May 2010 11:01:46 +0000

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Here’s a look at the official Division One NCAA baseball statistics leaders in selected categories. Stats are through games played on 5/16/10.

Justin Howard

BATTING AVERAGE

Minimum 3.0 Plate Appearances Per Game & Minimum 120 Plate Appearances

1. Justin Howard-New Mexico .466

2. Keith Werman-Virginia .456

3. Chad Oberacker-Tennessee Tech .451

3. D.J. Leonard-Bethune-Cookman .451

5. Effrey Valdez-New York Tech .449

6. Kevin Tokarski-Illinois St. .448

7. Jace Brinkerhoff-Utah Valley .447

7. Sean Allaire-Central Connecticut St. .447

7. Tom Clayton-Youngstown St. .447

10. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St. .441

Dan Paolini

HOME RUNS

1. Dan Paolini-Siena 25

2. Jordan Ribera-Fresno St. 24

3. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St. 23

4. Alex Dickerson-Indiana 22

5. Anthony Rendon-Rice 21

6. A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech 20

6. Justin Miller-Middle Tennessee 20

8. Seth Furmanek-Oral Roberts 19

Matt Leeds-College of Charleston 19

Robert Maddox-Ohio 19

Hunter Morris-Auburn 19

Peter O’Brien-Bethune-Cookman 19

Bo Reeder-East Tennessee St. 19

Luke Stewart-UAB 19

Jacob Tanis-Mercer 19

Phil Wunderlich-Louisville 19

Roberts

ON-BASE PERCENTAGE

Minimum 120 Plate Appearances

1. Nate Roberts-High Point .583

2. Michael Choice-UT Arlington .578

3. Kevin Tokarski-Illinois St. .563

4. Taylor Dugas-Alabama .553

5. Kyle Roller-East Carolina .550

6. Yasmani Grandal-Miami (FL) .547

7. Chris Bangi-Campbell .542

8. Effrey Valdez-New York Tech .542

9. Shane Brown-Central Florida .538

10. A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech .536

Jacob Tanis

RBIs

1. Jacob Tanis-Mercer 78

2. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St. 76

2. Matt Leeds-College of Charleston 76

2. Steve McQuail-Canisius 76

5. Wes Cunningham-Murray St. 74

6. Nate Woods-Belmont 73

7. Eric Cain-South Dakota St. 72

7. Mac Doyle-Wofford 72

7. Justin Miller-Murray St. 72

10. Chris Benson-Utah Valley 71

10. Chris Duffy-Central Florida 71

10. Robert Maddox-Ohio 71

Nate Roberts

RUNS

1. Nate Roberts-High Point 79

2. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St. 75

3. Ryan Aguayo-New Mexico St. 74

4. Jace Brinkerhoff-Utah Valley 72

4. Jake Rickenbach-Utah Valley 72

6. Tom Zebroski-George Washington 71

7. Tyler Holt-Florida St. 70

7. Justin Howard-New Mexico 70

7. Perry Silverman-Canisius 70

10. Dallas Poulk-North Carolina St. 69

10. George Springer-Connecticut 69

Paul Hoilman

SLUGGING PERCENTAGE

Minimum 3.0 Plate Appearances PG & Minimum 120 Plate Appearances

1. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St. .896

2. Wes Cunningham-Murray St. .862

3. Dan Paolini-Siena .836

4. A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech .829

5. Alex Dickerson-Indiana .814

6. Rob Segedin-Tulane .810

7. Chris Duffy-Central Florida .805

8. Anthony Rendon-Rice .800

9. Sean Allaire-Central Connecticut St. .798

10. J.D. Ashbrook-Morehead St. .797

Willie Wesley

STOLEN BASES

(Caught Stealing)

1. Willie Wesley-Jackson St. 48 (5)

2. Rico Noel-Coastal Carolina 47 (11)

3. Dexter Kelley-Savannah St. 44 (10)

3. Scott Woodward-Coastal Carolina 44 (5)

5. Eric Stamets-Evansville 40 (5)

6. Willie Argo-Illinois 39 (3)

6. Damian Csakai-Wagner 39 (4)

8. Shawn Payne-Georgia Southern 38 (1)

8. Ryan Strausborger-Indiana St. 38 (2)

10. Jerry Hildreth-Mississippi Valley St. 37 (8)

Quintavious Drains

WINS

1. Quintavious Drains-Jackson St. (12-2)

2. Corey Baker-Pittsburgh (11-2)

2. Anthony Meo-Coastal Carolina (11-1)

4. Jake Borup-Arizona St. (10-1)

Blake Cooper-South Carolina (10-0)

Cole Green-Texas (10-0)

Matt Ianazzo-Pittsburgh (10-1)

Cortney Nelson-Jackson St. (10-4)

Matt Purke-TCU (10-0)

Nick Rogers-North Carolina A&T (10-3)

Shawn Teufel-Liberty (10-2)

Cody Wheeler-Coastal Carolina (10-0)

Brandon Workman-Texas (10-1)

Trever Vermeulen

ERA

Pitchers must have 1 IP for every game played by team & Minimum 50 IP

1. Trever Vermeulen-South Dakota St. 0.66

2. Chance Ruffin-Texas 0.87

3. John Stilson-Texas A&M 1.05

4. Dietrich Enns-Central Michigan 1.22

5. Kenny Long-Illinois St. 1.24

6. Alex Wimmers-Ohio St. 1.61

6. Jordan Cooper-Wichita St. 1.61

8. Brady Rodgers-Arizona St. 1.62

9. James Giuletti-Binghamton 1.76

10. Anthony Meo-Coastal Carolina 1.78

Andrew Burkett

SAVES

1. Kevin Arico-Virginia 13

Andrew Burkett-Cincinnati 13

Chris Dennis-Portland 13

Neil Holland-Louisville 13

Kevin McKague-Army 13

Chris Patterson-Appalachian St. 13

7. Chance Ruffin-Texas 12

8.Andy Dean-Northern Illinois 11

Ryan Duke-Oklahoma 11

Andy Mee-Florida Atlantic 11

Matty Ott-LSU 11

Lex Rutledge-Samford 11

Paul Snieder-Northwestern 11

Chris Sale

STRIKEOUTS

1. Chris Sale-Florida Gulf Coast 128

2. Drew Pomeranz-Mississippi 121

3. Asher Wojciechowski-The Citadel 119

4. Josh Smith-Lipscomb 115

5. Barret Loux-Texas A&M 111

6. Trevor Bauer-UCLA 109

7. Eric Cantrell-George Washington 106

7. Gerrit Cole-UCLA 106

7. Bryce Shafer-Valparaiso 106

10. Jason Mitchell-UT Arlington 105