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By Collegebaseball360.com Editor Sean Stires

Considering the collapse of the Metrodome roof over the weekend and the winter storms around the country, we’re transitioning out of our “Fall Notebooks” to “Hot Stove” this week. We will be taking a break in the near future for the holidays, but we will begin our 2011 conference previews after the first of the year.

Shine Some Sun On A New Idea…

There’s been a lot of conversation about uniform start dates to the college baseball season over the last few years. One of the biggest points of contention has been how to make the season work fairly for teams from northern cold weather schools and teams from southern climates alike. Oklahoma generally benefits from warm weather (although it does get cold in Norman in February and March), but OU head coach Sunny Golloway has an idea on how to make the college baseball season work for everyone.

Sunny Golloway

Golloway’s idea would move the college baseball schedule to the summer, which would also mean changing the way college baseball players attend classes. “I think baseball players should go to school in the summer full-time. I think baseball players should go to school in the spring full-time,” he recently told CB360 contributor Chris Webb. “I think in the fall…should be like our summer. That’s where our athletes should take three or six (credit) hours, be able to relax more and have some down time. And then let’s start in the spring, getting going.”

Golloway argues that college baseball currently gets lost in the large shadow of the popularity of college basketball and “March Madness”. He also thinks that college baseball stadiums around the country would have a better chance to be filled by starting later in the spring when temperatures are warmer. Golloway says the shift in the season would also allow for a better opportunity at a national television contract that would give fans the chance to “fall in love” with college baseball they way they have with college hoops and college football.

golloway-tv Click the “Play” button to listen to more of Golloway’s comments.

What do you think about the idea of a summer college baseball schedule?  Cast your vote now!!

View This Poll

Save Cal Baseball Drive Continues…

Cal Baseball continues to get closer to its goal of being reinstated. A recent message via Facebook from the “Save Cal Baseball” group says they are “VERY close” to their goal of $10 million raised to reinstate baseball and the other four sports that got the ax at Cal back in September. Those other sports are men’s and women’s gymnastics, women’s lacrosse and rugby. The group’s goal has been to have that $10 by January 1, 2011 and then raise another $2.5 by next year to keep those sports running for the next four years. The immediate problem specific to the baseball program is continued uncertainty. Two current Cal players plan to transfer after the current fall semester. Prized freshman pitcher Eric Jaffe will go to UCLA, where he will apply for an NCAA waiver to play in 2011. Infielder Brett Bishop plans to go to Fresno Community College. Sophomore ace Justin Jones (10-6, 4.22 ERA) could also transfer to Oregon, although he will stay at Cal for the upcoming season.

Todd Walker

The Hall On The Bayou…

Former LSU and MLB baseball player Todd Walker was recently inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Walker was a first-team All-American in 1993 and ’94. He was named the College World Series MVP while helping the Bayou Bengals to the ’93 national title. Walker set the SEC’s all-time records for hits, runs, RBIs, and total bases in his three season at LSU. He went on to a 12-year Major League career after being taken with the 8th overall pick in the first round of the 1994 draft. He was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame last year and was also named to CWS Legends Team earlier this year.

Dinner With A Side Of Murphy…

Former Arizona State baseball coach Pay Murphy is no longer working in college baseball, but he’s still around the game. Murphy is on the lecture circuit giving seminars to high school players who aspire to play at the next level. A release for an upcoming event in the Chicago suburbs says Murphy will “explain how the college recruiting process really works and will inform you on what college coaches look for in players. Also discussed will be work ethic, desire, intangibles and the importance of academic success which starts in high school.” Murphy is also currently employed by the San Diego Padres.

Villanova football/baseball star Matt Szczur

Hail Szczur…

Two-sport star Matt Szczur (pronounced SEE-zur) and the Villanova football team are at it again. Szczur scored four touchdowns and threw for another to lead the Wildcats to a 42-24 win over Appalachian State to advance to the FCS football playoff semi-finals over the weekend. Villanova is the reigning FCS national champion. Szczur played baseball at Villanova last season and signed with the Chicago Cubs after being taken in the 5th round of this year’s MLB Draft. He also took time off from Villanova’s baseball season in 2010 to donate bone marrow to 19-month-old girl with leukemia. VU baseball teammates Christian Culicerto and Marlon Calbi both play for the football team as well. CLICK HERE to read more about Villanova’s playoff win.

The Schedules Continue To Roll In…

As of our latest tally, only roughly 40 of 300 Division One 2011 college baseball schedules are yet to be released. We have done our best to post them on our Schedule Page as they have been announced throughout the fall. We have also made some new additions to the Schedule Page this year. You will now be able to access 2011 schedules, 2011 rosters, 2010 team statistics, and 2011 team statistics (as they all become available). Be sure to bookmark the Schedule Page for easy access to all this information throughout the 2011 college baseball season!

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Baseball/Football Star Has Record-breaking Day…

Villanova two-sport standout Matt Szczur

Villanova had never won a true road game in the postseason before last week but has now won two straight playoff road games by lopsided margins. That turnaround matches the way the team has turned around its season, going from the brink of elimination from postseason contention to being one step away from returning to the national championship game. In the process, the Wildcats have won a road game against then-No. 1 Delaware in the final game of the regular season, defeated Southland Conference champion Stephen F. Austin on their home turf and eliminated the top playoff seed with today’s victory.

In the semifinals next week, Villanova will face No. 5 seed Eastern Washington.  The game will take place this Friday night (Dec. 17) at 8 p.m. at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. The contest will be nationally televised on ESPN2.

For the first time in his career, Szczur registered touchdowns by way of rushing, receiving and passing in the same game. He did all that in the first half alone as Villanova built a 28-10 lead by halftime before staving off numerous attempts by the Mountaineers to start a rally in the second half. This was the 32nd consecutive game since 2003 in which the Wildcats have defended a double-digit halftime lead en route to a victory.

Szczur played in the minor leagues last summer with the Peoria Chiefs.

Szczur wound up running for 105 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries, caught a team-high five passes for 45 yards and a score and went 2-of-2 through the air for 58 yards and a touchdown. He had 207 all-purpose yards and this was the second time in his career that he found three different ways to score a touchdown in the same game; the other was in the first round of the playoffs in 2008 and included touchdowns via a rush, pass and kick return.

Villanova is the defending FCS national champion, with Szczur leading the Wildcats to last year’s crown. He signed a professional contract with the Chicago Cubs and played minor league baseball this past summer after being drafted in June in the 5th round of the MLB draft. Szczur is joined on the football team by fellow baseball players Marlon Calbi and Christian Culicerto.

(From Villanova release and staff reports)

By Collegebaseball360.com Editor Sean Stires

UCSD head coach Dan O'Brien (jacket) and his Tritons could be headed to the Big West.

A Big West Boom?

We started last week’s Notebook with the news that TCU was headed to the Big East Conference. This week we start with news that Hawaii, Cal State Bakersfield and UC San Diego have each applied for membership in the Big West Conference. Hawaii plans to join the Mountain West Conference for football, but the rest of its sports would join the Big West if membership goes through. The Big West would make travel much easier for Hawaii’s non-revenue sports since all nine current Big West teams are located in California.

Keep in mind, it’s UC San Diego – as in the Tritons –  not the University of San Diego – as in the Toreros – that wants to join the Big West. Dan O’Brien’s Tritons were the Division II national runner-ups this past season after advancing to the D II national semifinals in 2009. This year’s team won a school record 54 games with a record low eight losses. They would obviously have to make the move to Division One though to join the Big West.

CS Bakersfield, coached by Bill Kernen, just began playing college baseball in 2009 as part of the school’s transition to Division One. The Roadrunners won 13 games in 2009 and doubled that to 26 victories last season.

The Big West had put a moratorium on conference expansion back in 2005, but it just ended that ban last month.

The Call Of The Hall…

1988 NCAA Player of the Year John Olerud (courtesy Washington State)

He’s a long shot for induction, but former Washington State star John Olerud is on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America Hall of Fame ballot for the first time. The 17-year MLB vet was the 1988 college baseball Player of the Year. He was 15-0 with a 2.49 ERA on the mound that year, while also batting .464 with 23 home runs and 81 RBIs. Olerud was an integral member of the Toronto Blue Jays‘ World Series winning teams in 1992 and ’93, but his 2,239 career hits and 255 home runs are far from HOF benchmark numbers.

Other former college players in this year’s Hall of Fame ballot are: Mark McGwire (USC), Bret Boone (USC), Barry Larkin (Michigan), Bobby Higginson (Temple), Rafael Palmeiro (Mississippi State), Charles Johnson (Miami), Tino Martinez (Tampa), Kirk Rueter (Murray State), John Franco (St. John’s), and B.J. Surhoff (North Carolina). Franco tossed a pair of no-hitters during his freshman year at St. John’s. Surhoff was the National Player of the Year in 1985. He was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame earlier this year.

The results of HOF voting will be announced on January 11, 2011. The induction ceremony is July 24 in Cooperstown, NY.

Tigers Get Their Rings…

The Clemson baseball team recently received its 2010 College World Series rings. Jack Leggett’s squad received its hardware before last week’s Clemson-Michigan basketball game at Littlejohn Coliseum. Clemson finished 2010 with a 45-25 record after making its 12th trip to Omaha. CLICK HERE to see the video.

The Scouts Like Nino…

Nino Girratano

The Northern California Scouts Association has named University of San Francisco head coach Nino Giarratano its four-year college baseball Coach of the Year. The NCSA is comprised of at least 70 scouts who work for the 30 MLB clubs. Of Giarratano, Florida Marlins scout John Hughes said “He does such a great job at USF and his coaching staff does a great job overall. They do more than coach baseball at USF — they develop kids into great people. Nino is cooperative and communicates well with Major League Baseball scouts so that he can do what’s best for his players.” Giarratano was the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team head coach this past summer.

Two-Sport Playoff Push…

If you saw our latest Two-Sport Report last week, you know that several college baseball players who also play football were involved in the FCS (formerly I-AA) playoffs last week. In a head to head match-up, Landon Bennett (punter) and Wofford knocked Jacksonville State and freshman QB Coty Blanchard out of the playoffs with a 17-14 win. Wofford now takes on Georgia Southern.

Defending FCS national champion Villanova beat Stephen F. Austin 54-24 to advance to the FCS quarterfinals and the Wildcats have three baseball/football players. Matt Szczur (signed with the Chicago Cubs last summer) scored a touchdown, while Marlon Calbi threw a TD pass. Villanova next faces Appalachian State.

Here’s a look at the official Division One NCAA baseball statistics leaders in selected categories.  Stats are through games played on 5/23/10.

Jace Brinkerhoff

BATTING AVERAGE

Minimum 3.0 Plate Appearances Per Game &  Minimum 120 Plate Appearances

1. Justin Brinkerhoff-Utah Valley  .463

1. Justin Howard-New Mexico  .463

3. Sean Allaire-Central Connecticut St.  .456

4. Chad Oberacker-Tennessee Tech  .455

5. Chris Duffy-Central Florida  .447

6. Matt Szczur-Villanova  .443

7. D.J. Leonard-Bethune-Cookman  .441

8. Ryan Soares-George Mason  .438

8. Gary Brown-Cal St. Fullerton  .438

10. Joe Leonard-Pittsburgh  .436

Jordan Ribera

HOME RUNS

1. Jordan Ribera-Fresno St.  26

2. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St.  24

2. A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech  24

4. Alex Dickerson-Indiana  23

5. Anthony Rendon-Rice  22

6. Chris Duffy-Central Florida  21

6. Seth Furmanek-Oral Roberts  21

6. Luke Stewart-UAB  21

9.  The following players are tied with 20 home runs

Jeremy Baltz-St. John’s

Wes Cunningham-Murray St.

Brian Fletcher-Auburn

Matt Leeds-College of Charleston

Robert Maddox-Ohio

Justin Miller-Middle Tennessee

John Moreland-Mercer

Hunter Morris-Auburn

Peter O’Brien-Bethune-Cookman

Mike Olt-Connecticut

Doug Shribman-Bucknell

Jacob Tanis-Mercer

Nate Woods-Belmont

Nate Roberts

ON-BASE PERCENTAGE

Minimum 120 Plate Appearances

1. Nate Roberts-High Point  .578

2. Michael Choice-UT Arlington  .568

3. Yasmani Grandal-Miami (FL)  .552

4. Chris Bangi-Campbell  .548

4. Taylor Dugas-Alabama  .548

6. Kevin Tokarski-Illinois St.  .547

7. Shane Brown-Central Florida  .541

8. J.D. Ashbrook-Morehead St.  .540

9. Chris Duffy-Central Florida  .539

10. Kyle Roller-East Carolina  .537

Jace Brinkerhoff

RBIs

1. Jace Brinkerhoff-Utah Valley  84

2. Jacob Tanis-Mercer  83

3. Chris Benson-Utah Valley  81

3. Chris Duffy-Central Florida  81

5. Matt Leeds-College of Charleston  80

6. Eric Cain-South Dakota St.  79

7. Nate Woods-Belmont  78

8. Wes Cunningham-Murray St.  77

8. Anthony Gallas-Kent St.  77

8. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St.  77

Jake Rickenbach

RUNS

1. Jake Rickenbach-Utah Valley  85

2. Nate Roberts-High Point  84

3. Jace Brinkerhoff-Utah Valley  83

4. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St.  76

5. Ryan Aguayo-New Mexico St.  75

5. Tom Zebroski-George Washington  75

7. Dallas Poulk-North Carolina St. 74

8. John Schultz-Pittsburgh  73

8. Perry Silverman-Canisius  73

10. George Springer-Connecticut  72

Paul Hoilman

SLUGGING PERCENTAGE

Minimum 3.0 Plate Appearances PG & Minimum 120 Plate Appearances

1. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St.  .874

2. Chris Duffy-Central Florida  .850

3. Kevin Patterson-Auburn  .849

4. A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech  .846

5. Wes Cunningham-Murray St.  .835

6. Ryan Soares-George Mason  .809

7. Alex Dickerson-Indiana  .808

8. Sean Allaire-Central Connecticut St.  .804

9. J.D. Ashbrook-Morehead St. .795

10. C.J. Cron-Utah  .788

Willie Wesley

STOLEN BASES

(Caught Stealing)

1. Willie Wesley-Jackson St.  51 (5)

2. Rico Noel-Coastal Carolina  48 (13)

3. Scott Woodward-Coastal Carolina  46 (6)

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

5. Shawn Payne-Georgia St.  43 (2)

6. Willie Argo-Illinois  41 (4)

6. Eric Stamets-Evansville  41 (6)

8. Damian Csakai-Wagner  40 (5)

8. Tyler Wilson-Lipscomb  40 (10)

10. Ryan Strausborger-Indiana St.  39 (4)

Quintavious Drains

WINS

1. Quintavious Drains-Jackson St. (13-3)

2. Anthony Meo-Coastal Carolina  (12-1)

3. Corey Baker-Pittsburgh  (11-2)

3. Matt Purke-TCU (11-0)

3. Brandon Workman-Texas  (11-1)

6. Seth Blair-Arizona St.  (10-0)

Jake Borup-Arizona St.  (10-1)

Blake Cooper-South Carolina  (10-1)

Cole Green-Texas  (10-0)

Lance Harting-Longwood  (10-0)

Matt Iannazzo-Pittsburgh  (10-2)

Tim Kelley-Wichita St.  (10-2)

Cortney Nelson-Jackson St.  (10-4)

Daniel Renken-Cal St. Fullerton  (10-2)

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

Chris Sale-Florida Gulf Coast  (10-0)

Shawn Teufel-Liberty  (10-3)

Cody Wheeler-Coastal Carolina  (10-0)

Asher Wojciechowski-The Citadel  (10-2)

Chance Ruffin

ERA

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

1. Chance Ruffin-Texas  0.86

2. John Stilson-Texas A&M  0.98

3. Trever Vermeulen-South Dakota St.  1.15

4. Kevin Munson-James Madison  1.23

5. Kenny Long-Illinois St.  1.56

6. Jordan Cooper-Wichita St.  1.59

7. Alex Wimmers-Ohio St.  1.60

8. Anthony Meo-Coastal Carolina  1.73

9. Matt Davenport-William & Mary  1.96

10. Chris Sale-Florida Gulf Coast  1.97

Kevin Arico

SAVES

1. Kevin Arico-Virginia  15

1. Neil Holland-Louisville  15

3. Andrew Burkett-Cincinnati  14

4. Chris Dennis-Portland  13

Kevin McKague-Army  13

Chris Patterson-Appalachian St.  13

Chance Ruffin-Texas  13

8.  Andy Deain-Northern Illinois  12

Paul Snieder-Northwestern  12

Jordan Swagerty-Arizona St.  12

Chris Sale

STRIKEOUTS

1. Chris Sale-Florida Gulf Coast  135

2. Asher Wojciechowski-The Citadel  128

3. Drew Pomeranz-Mississippi  127

4. Josh Smith-Lipscomb  124

5. Barrett Loux-Texas A&M  119

6. Trevor Bauer-UCLA  116

7. Eric Cantrell-George Washington  114

8. Gerrit Cole-UCLA  113

9. Bryce Shafer-Valparaiso  112

9. Boone Whiting-Centenary  112

Two-Sport Star To Help Leukemia Patient

(Courtesy Villanova)

VILLANOVA, Pa.- Right fielder Matt Szczur was not available to play during the Villanova baseball three-game series against Georgetown last weekend at the Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. Szczur has begun taking medication in preparation for a bone marrow donation in the near future.

Szczur is a two-sport star in football and baseball for the Wildcats.  He was selected as a match for a patient with leukemia last November and is currently prepared to donate his bone marrow in the near future.

On the baseball diamond this spring, Szczur (click link to listen to a podcast interview with Szczur) is batting a team-best .435 in 36 games.  He has been the team’s best all-around offensive player and leads Villanova in on-base percentage (.483), slugging percentage (.634), doubles (11), triples (6) and home runs (3).  He hit for the cycle last week in Villanova’s 17-10 win over Temple.

This past fall, Szczur helped lead the football team to its first-ever national championship, as the Wildcats defeated

(Courtesy Villanova)

Montana by a score of 23-21 in the title game of the Division I Football Championship.  Szczur ran for a career-high 159 yards against Montana and was named the MVP of the championship game for his performance.

Szczur is a match for a 19-month old girl with leukemia. There are 20 million people worldwide who are registered as potential marrow donors.  Still, there are only about 250 matches found each year, making it a 1-in-80,000 chance that a registered donor will be a match.  For more information on the National Marrow Donor Program, please visit www.marrow.org.

(Courtesey Villanova sports information.)

TWO SPORT REPORT #3

Here’s the latest “unofficial” look at college baseball’s national stats leader as of Thursday, April 1.

J.D. Ashbrook

HOME RUNS

1.  A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech  14

2.  J.D. Ashbrook-Morehead St.  12

2.  Wes Cunningham-Murry St.  12

2.  Chris Duffy-Central Florida  12

2.  Ben Harty-New Mexico St.  12

2.  Peter O’Brien-Bethune-Cookman  12

7.  Jordan Ballard-VMI  11

7.  Michael Choice-UT Arlington  11

7.  Mac Doyle-Wofford  11

7.  Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St.  11

7.  Kyle Parker-Clemson  11

Jake Overstreet

RBIs

1.  Jake Overstreet-South Alabama  48

2.  Chris Duffy-Central Florida  47

3.  Jacob Tanis-Mercer  43

4.  Danny Brock-St. Louis  42

5.  Sam Eberle-Jacksonville St.  41

5.  Drew Lee-Moorehead St.  41

7.  Ben Harty-New Mexico St.  40

7.  A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech  40

9.  Kyle Blackburn-Georgia Southern  39

9.  Nate Woods-Belmont  39

Sean Toole

BATTING AVERAGE

1.  Sean Toole-Pittsburgh  .508 (31-61)

2.  Matt Szczur-Villanova  .500  (41-82)

3.  Chris Benson-Utah Valley  .494 (41-83)

4.  Garret Bivone-UT Pan American  .492 (30-61)

5.  Kevin Tokarski-Illinois State  .487  (38-78)

6.  Justin Bencsko-Villanova  .485 (32-66)

6.  Chris Duffy-Central Florida  .485 (49-101)

8.  Ryan Rivers-Charlotte  .471 (41-87)

9.  Adam Doleac-Southern Mississippi  .468 (29-62)

10.  Dom Hayes-West Virginia  .460 (40-87)

A.J. Kirby-Jones

SLUGGING PERCENTAGE

1.  A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech  1.023

2.  Chris Duffy-Central Florida  .980

3.  Wes Cunningham-Murray State  .930

4.  Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee State  .910

5.  Mac Doyle-Wofford  .879

6.  Zack MacPhee-Arizona State  .865

7.  Jacke Healey-Youngstown St.  .857

8.  Ryan Rivers-Charlotte  .851

9.  Kevin Tokarski-Illinois State  .846

10.  Chace Perkins-New Mexico State  .845

Brian Harris

ON-BASE PERCENTAGE

1.  Brian Harris-Vanderbilt  .595

2.  Kevin Tokarski-Illinois State  .592

3.  Justin Bencsko-Villanova  .584

3.  Vincent Mejia-UT Pan American  .584

5.  Chad Salem-Manhattan  .582

6.  Brock Stassi-Nevada  .578

7.  Nate Roberts-High Point  .577

8.  A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech  .573

9.  Taylor Dugas-Alabama  .570

10.  Dan Gulbransen-Jacksonville  .568

Merrill Kelly

WINS

1. Corey Baker-Pittsburgh  6

1. Gerrit Cole-UCLA  6

1. D.D. Hanks-South Alabama  6

1. Merrill Kelly-Arizona State  6

1. Josh Schneider-Morehead State  6

1. Asher Wojciechowski-The Citadel  6

Matt Andress-Appalachian State  5

Trevor Bauer-UCLA  5

Jake Borup-Arizona State  5

Bryant Cotton-St. Louis  5

Ryan Daniel-Liberty  5

Matt Davenport-William & Mary  5

Brandon Efferson-Southeastern Louisiana  5

Mike Gipson-Florida Atlantic  5

Cole Green-Texas  5

Kyle Hunter-Kansas State  5

Justin Jones-California  5

Keegan Linza-Liberty  5

Brandon Love-Mercer  5

Nick Montgomery-Middle Tennessee State  5

Alex Panteliodis-Florida  5

Marcus Pointer-Pacific  5

David Rowse-Pacific  5

Thomas Royse-Louisville  5

Matt Shelton-Sam Houston State  5

John Stilson-Texas A&M  5

Paul Tremlin-Cal State Northridge  5

Brandon Williamson-Dallas Baptist  5

Alex Wimmers-Ohio State  5

Barret Loux

Strikeouts

1.  Asher Wojciechowski-The Citadel  59

2.  Barret Loux-Texas A&M  58

3.  Trevor Bauer-UCLA  56

3.  Gerrit Cole-UCLA  56

3.  Taylor Jungmann-Texas  56

6.  Noe Ramirez-Cal State Fullerton  53

7.  Jason Mitchell-UT Arlington  52

8.  D.D. Hanks-South Alabama  51

8.  Luke Irvine-Northwestern (LA) State  51

10.  Tanner Peters-UNLV  50

Chad Sheppard

SAVES

1.  Matty Ott-LSU  9

1.  Kevin Arico-Virginia  9

3.  Chad Sheppard-Northwestern State  7

3.  Jordan Swagerty-Arizona State  7

5.  Wes Alsup-Tennessee Martin  6

Adam Cimber-Washington  6

Chris Dennis-Portland  6

Chris Franklin-Southeastern Louisiana  6

Tyler Gebler-Rutgers  6

Dan Gentzler-Maryland  6

John Ivie-Belmont  6

Chris Patterson-Appalachian State  6

Brooks Pinckard-Baylor  6

Ryne Purcell-Eastern Kentucky  6

Chance Ruffin-Texas  6

Lex Rutledge-Samford  6

Seth Simmons-East Carolina  6

Passion Buckets Full Of Baseball And Final Four

April is here, and my Passion Bucket is overflowing.  For those who’ve never heard of a Passion Bucket, it’s a term that was coined by UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel and made popular on the Dan Patrick Radio Show.  It’s also a term that was used by Cornell basketball player Ryan Wittman prior to last week’s Sweet 16 basketball match-up with Kentucky.

Wittman’s use of the term stirred-up some unwarranted controversy when John Feinstein took it to mean “we’re the smart kids”.   Turned out Wittman’s coach, Steve Donohue,  had just told him to drop the “Passion Bucket” during the presser at Patrick’s request.  Turns out Passion Bucket just stands for how much enthusiasm or excitement you have for something, and mine is overflowing with thoughts of college baseball and the Final Four…and even how they run together…

Brad Stevens

Butler’s in the Final Four.  How cool is that?  Their home floor, Hinkle Fieldhouse, is where the movie Hoosiers was filmed.  The college baseball equal would be Creighton making it to the College World Series.  Wait…that happened in 1991.  Butler’s coach, Brad Stevens, is home grown, just like Brian O’Connor, who pitched at the Series for the Blue Jays in ’91 and who took Virginia to Omaha last year.  Stevens looks so young he gets mistaken for the water boy, but he’s worked his way up the ladder since starting as Butler’s Coordinator of Basketball Operations ten years ago.  By the way, Minnesota Twins reliever Pat Neshek played college ball at Butler.

Tom Izzo is a guy you just have to respect.  He’s taken Michigan State to six Final Fours in 12 years.  His teams grind out possessions and games like a Polish lady with big forearms grinds out Kielbasa.  It got me thinking…what’s Michigan State’s college baseball counterpart?  I’m going with Texas:  Walk, sac bunt, infield hit, 4-3 RBI…Augie Garrido’s great pitching and small ball approach is college baseball’s answer to Izzo’s Spartans.  Augie’s obviously had some success at it too.  And how about Jake Boss, Jr.’s MSU baseball team?  At 16-4,  his Spartans open Big Ten play vs. Iowa this weekend with the best record in the conference.

Speaking of Texas, the Longhorns (18-7) leave their home state for the first time this season when they visit Oklahoma this weekend.  Texas has played road games at Rice and Texas Tech with three neutral site games at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Arizona State (23-0) and UCLA (21-0) are the only two remaining unbeaten Division One teams in college baseball.

Merrill Kelly

The Sun Devils visit Oregon this weekend in their second Pac 10 series, while UCLA hosts Stanford in it conference opener.  The most amazing thing to me about ASU’s unblemished record is the fact they’ve done it without Josh Spence (10-1, 2.37 ERA in ’09) throwing one pitch so far this year.  The Aussie has been out all year with an arm injury, but his teammates have more than picked-up the slack.  Sophomore Jake Borup pitched all of 8.0 innings last year, but he’s 5-0, while juco transfer Merrill Kelly is tied for the national lead at 6-0.  Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole (6-0, 2.63 ERA) and Trevor Bauer (5-0, 2.33 ERA) have lived-up to their expectations at UCLA.  Both teams have off the charts talent and numbers in the line-up.  Too bad they don’t meet until the end of the month.  Oh, if you want to read a good rant on these teams and the national rankings check out what Chase Titleman has to say at Road2rosenblatt.com!

Who’s been impersonating as the three Conference USA teams that went to at least a Super Regional last year?  Last year’s CWS Cinderella, Southern Mississippi (14-9) , has lost five of its last seven games, including losing two of three last week to UAB.  East Carolina (17-9) just bludgeoned North Carolina Central by a combined 65-12 last weekend, but they just lost a 15-13 slug fest to UNC Wilmington and had losses to Monmouth and High Point.  ECU opens C-USA play this weekend vs. Tulane and then heads to Memphis next week.  Speaking of Memphis, the Tigers took two of three from Rice (14-12) last week for their first ever series win over the Owls, which are falling out of the polls with losses in five of their last eight games.  All three C-USA teams have played tough opponents, all three have hit in spots and consistent pitching has eluded all three as well.

Joe Godri

Villanova (17-4) is off to its best start since head coach Joe Godri arrived in 2002.  The Wildcats have a tough task ahead of them this weekend if they want to keep it going.  Godri’s ‘Cats will be “big game hunting” when they travel to Louisville (21-3) for their second Big East series of the season.  Godri has a tradition of plastering the logo of top-caliber teams his team has beaten on his office wall, and just one win at Louisville this weekend would go a long way.  Wildcats Justin Bencsko (.485) and Matt Szczur (.500) have names that are hard to pronounce, but they’re among the nation’s hitting leaders.  Louisville’s Thomas Royse (5-0, 1.42 ERA) and Neil Holland (4-0, 0.42 ERA, 6 SVs) might be the best pitchers they’ll face this season.

That series and many others start on Thursday this weekend due to Easter coming this Sunday.  Here’s hoping your Easter Baskets and Passion Buckets are full!

An Unofficial 2nd Look At The National Leaders

Corey Baker

Wins

These Pitchers Are Tied With 5 Victories

Matt Andress-Appalachian State

Corey Baker-Pittsburgh

Aaron Barrett-Mississippi

Jake Borup-Arizona State

Gerrit Cole-UCLA

Ryan Daniel-Kansas State

Brandon Efferson-Southeastern Louisiana

Merrill Kelly-Arizona State

Brandon Love-Mercer

Alex Panteliodis-Florida

Marcus Pointer-Pacific

Josh Schneider-Morehead State

Brandon Williamson-Dallas Baptist

Alex Wimmers-Ohio State

Asher Wojciechowski-The Citadel

Gerrit Cole

Strikeouts

1.  Taylor Jungmann – Texas  51

2.  Gerrit Cole – UCLA  49

3.  Asher Wojciechowski – The Citadel 48

4.  Trevor Bauer – UCLA  47

4.  Barret Loux – Texas A&M  47

6.  Jason Mitchell – UT Arlington  43

7. Tanner Peters – UNLV  44

8.  Daniel Bibona-UC Irvine  43

8. Danny Hultzen – Virginia  43

8.  Ryan Fraser – Memphis  43

Matty Ott

Saves

1.  Matty Ott-LSU  8

2.  Kevin Arico-Virginia  7

2.  Chad Sheppard-Northwestern State  7

2.  Jordan Swagerty-Arizona State  7

5.  Chris Patterson-Appalachian State  6

5.  Seth Simmons-East Carolina  6

7.  Wes Alsup-Tennessee Martin  5

Chris Dennis-Portland  5

Austin Fleet-Coastal Carolina  5

Chris Franklin-Southeastern Louisiana  5

John Ivie-Belmont  5

Drew Mahaffey-The Citadel  5

Daniel Ottone-Western Carolina  5

Brooks Pinckard-Baylor  5

Ryne Purcell-Eastern Kentucky  5

Mikel Rodenberg-High Point  5

Chance Ruffin-Texas  5

Lex Rutledge-Samford  5

John Soldinger-Manhattan  5

Garrett Bivone

Batting Average

1.  Garrett Bivone-UT Pan American  .531  (26-49)

2.  Chris Duffy-Central Florida  .530  (44-83)

3.  Matt Szczur-Villanova  .529 (37-70)

4.  Justin Bencsko-Villanova  .527  (29-55)

5.  Mark Hill-George Mason  .517  (41-60)

6.  Sean Toole-Pittsburgh  .509  (27-53)

7.  Matt Dittman-Illinois  .500  (22-44)

7.  David Popkins-UC Davis  .500  (21-42)

9.  Chris Benson-Utah Valley  .492  (31-63)

10.  Brandon Padula-Maryland  .486  (36-74)

A.J. Kirby-Jones

Home Runs

1.  A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech  13

2.  Chris Duffy-Central Florida  12

3.  Ben Harty-New Mexico State  11

4.  Mac Doyle-Wofford  10

Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St.  10

Phil Wunderlich-Louisville  10

Pat Biserta-Rutgers  10

Danny Brock-St. Louis  10

J. D. Ashbrook-Morehead State   10

Kyle Parker-Clemson  10

Chris Duffy

RBIs

1.  Chris Duffy-Central Florida  40

2.  A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech  39

2.  Drew Lee-Morehead State  39

4.  Ben Harty-New Mexico State  38

4.  Jacob Tanis-Mercer  38

6.  Danny Brock-St. Louis  36

6.  Sam Eberle-Jacksonville State  36

6.  Nate Woods-Belmont  36

6.  Joe Leonard-Pittsburgh  36

10.  Connor Powers-Mississippi St.  34

10.  Paul Karmas-St. John’s  34

Mac Doyle

Slugging Percentage

1.  A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech  1.155

2.  Chris Duffy-Central Florida  1.120

3.  Mac Doyle-Wofford  1.000

4.  Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St.  .959

5.  Jacke Healey-Youngstown State  .950

6.  Zack MacPhee-Arizona State  .922

7.  Brandon Hairston-Norfolk State  .909

8.  Ryan Soares-George Mason  .908

9.  Wes Cunningham-Murray State  .897

10.  T.J. Blanton-Bowling Green  .895

Brian Harris

On-Base Percentage

1.  Justin Bencsko-Villanova  .613

2.  Brian Harris-Vanderbilt  .608

2.  Nate Roberts-High Point  .608

4.  Taylor Dugas-Alabama  .607

5.  A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech  .606

6.  Chad Salem-Manhattan  .602

7.  Mark Hill-George Mason  .600

8.  Alan Denman-Campbell  .595

9.  Vincent Mejia-UT Pan American  .587

10.  David Popkins-UC Davis  .585

Chris Duffy

Triple Crown Watch

Chris Duffy-Central Florida

BA: .530  #2

HR:  12  #2

RBI:  40  #1

The First Report Of The Baseball Season