Competitive Southland Looks For Another Mult-Bid Season

2009 Regular Season Champion: Texas State

2009 Tournament Champion: Sam Houston State defeated Texas State 7-1 to win its 3^rd straight Southland Conference Tournament Championship.

Two Southland Conference teams qualified for the NCAA tournament last season as both tournament champ Sam Houston State and regular season champ Texas State made the field.  It marked the sixth time in conference history that multiple teams earned bids to the NCAA tournament, and the first since 2005.

With 21 conference players selected in last June’s MLB draft, the Southland Conference may be a “mid-major”, but can boast of a rich baseball heritage.

This season, Texas State and Sam Houston State are favored to finish 1-2 in the standings, but several other teams are looking for banner seasons themselves.  Will it be a repeat of 2009, or will another team breakthrough?

Central Arkansas

2009 Season: (22-30, 10-21)

Nickname: Bears

Head Coach: Doug Clark

Location: Conway, AR

Vitals: .309 BA, 51 HR, .360 OBP, .962 Fld. %…5.58 ERA, 8 CG, 10 SVs, 337 K, 214 BB, .290 Opp. BA

Bobby Pritchett

Strong Hitters: Central Arkansas was a strong hitting team last year and return 3 of their top 4 hitters this season.  The offense will be led by Sr. OF Tye Throneberry (.374, 4 HR, 34 RBI), So. 2B/OF Jordan Getchell (.333, .467 OBP, 6 SB), and Sr. INF Bobby Pritchett (.327, 5 triples, 2 HR).

Pitching Staff: In addition to being one of the top hitters, RHP Bobby Pritchett (4-5, 4.85 ERA, 1 CG, 5 SVs) is the top relief pitcher returning.  While the starting rotation will be hurt with the loss of Jeremy Cloud (4-6, 5.92 ERA, 5 CG), the Bears return Jr. RHP Reece Cross (4-4, 4.48 ERA, 2 CG).

Lamar

2009 Season: (38-22, 20-13)

Nickname: Cardinals

Head Coach: Jim Gilligan

Location: Beaumont, TX

Vitals: .304 BA, 52 HR, .403 OBP, .969 Fld. %…4.44 ERA, 2 CG, 9 SVs, 466 K, 209 BB, .277 Opp. BA

Eric Harrington

Another Strong Season: Lamar’s 38 wins last year marked the ninth consecutive year the Cardinals won over 30 games, and were the most since they won 41 games in 2004.  Also, for the eighth time in school history s member of the team was named a Freshman All-American.  RHP Eric Harrington (8-1, 3.01 ERA, 63 K) earned honors from both Louisville Slugger and the NCBWA on his way to being named Southland Conference Freshman of the Year.

Newcomers: Lamar brings in 22 new players on this year’s roster, while only returning 18.  The first-year players include 8 freshman, and 14 junior college transfers.  The young team will be led by Sr. OF Quentin Luquette (.316, 4 HR, 33 RBI).

Fleet Feet: The Cardinals stole 92 bases as a team last season, but return players that stole only 33 of that total.  Gone are burners Tyler Link (.369, 15 SB), and Jeremiah Sammy (.310, 14 SB).

McNeese State

2009 Season: (21-30, 10-22)

Nickname: Cowboys

Head Coach: Terry Burrows

Location: Lake Charles, LA

Vitals: .316 BA, 60 HR, .410 OBP, .965 Fld. %…7.60 ERA, 1 CG, 8 SVs, 319 K, 212 BB, .318 Opp. BA

Lee Orr

Looking Forward: McNeese State struggled at times last year, winning only 10 league games, but with 21 returning letterwinners, including 10 seniors, the Cowboys believe they could show a marked improvement this season.

Offensive Attack: The Cowboys were a good hitting team in 2009, and bring back several top hitters led by preseason 2^nd team All-Southland Conference selection So. OF Lee Orr (.301, 15 HR, 57 RBI).  Also back is two-sport star and leading hitter So. INF Jace Peterson (.366, 3 doubles, 13 SB), and Sr. INF Matt Fontenot (.343, 7 doubles, 3 HR).

Two-Sport Cowboy:  Peterson is also a safety on the McNeese State football team.   He had 39 tackles, three sacks and an interception during the 2009 football season.  He is one of more than 35 two-sport college baseball players who have been in our Two-Sport Reports throughout the fall.

Big Games: McNeese takes on CWS participant Arkansas and defending national champion LSU in the non-conference slate.  They also travel to Louisiana Tech, and play Dallas Baptist at the Lamar Tournament

Nicholls State

2009 Season: (19-32, 9-23)

Nickname: Colonels

Head Coach: Chip Durham

Location: Thibodaux, La.

Vitals: .271 BA, 11 HR, .350 OBP, .952 Fld. %…4.97 ERA, 1 CG, 8 SVs, 288 K, 171 BB, .292 Opp. BA

Uphill Battle: Nicholls State is picked to finish last in the Southland Conference by both the coaches and SIDs.  They finished just a half game ahead of A&M-Corpus Christi in the standings in 2009.  Their top returning player Sr. OF Scott Moseley (.346, 12 doubles, 37 RBI) is a preseason 2^nd team All-SLC pick, but is coming back from offseason hip labrum surgery.

More Two-Sport Guys:  Senior Kyle Hughes plays linebacker for the Colonels football team, while freshman OF Mike Barba is also a wide receiver at Nicholls State.  Hughes had 39 tackles with an interception in 2009.  This is Hughes’ first season on the baseball team.  He is listed on the roster as a right-hand pitcher.

Minimum Travel: The Colonels will keep the miles off their schedule this year playing in only four states all season.  36 of their 52 games will be played in Louisiana, 12 in Texas, 3 in Arkansas, and 1 game in Alabama.

Northwestern State

2009 Season: (26-26, 18-13)

Nickname: Demons

Head Coach: J.P. Davis

Location: Natchitoches, LA

Vitals: .308 BA, 53 HR, .383 OBP, .958 Fld. %…6.98 ERA, 2 CG, 14 SVs, 342 K, 220 BB, .316 Opp. BA

Chase Lyles

Preseason Hype: Northwestern State is only predicted to finish 7^th in the conference this season, however, they bring back several top players that could form a great foundation for success this year.  Leading the charge is preseason 1^st team All-conference Sr. SS Trent Grondin (.324, 60 H, 11 doubles), 2^nd team All-SLC Sr. 3B Chase Lyles (.362, 14 HR, 17 SB), and 2^nd teamer So. P Chad Sheppard (4-1, 2.34 ERA, 10 SVs).  Sheppard is also a preseason All-Ping! Preseason All-American, and needs just 7 saves to become the school’s all-time saves leader.

Tough Tests: The Demons will have several tough non-conference games this year, starting with a season-opening trip to 2009 CWS participant Southern Mississippi.  Other contests include home-and-home games with national champ LSU, and trips to Texas A&M and Mississippi State.

Sam Houston State

2009 Season: (36-24, 18-14)

Nickname: Bearkats

Head Coach: Mark Johnson

Location: Huntsville, TX

Vitals: .328 BA, 48 HR, .402 OBP, .971 Fld. %…5.10 ERA, 6 CG, 12 SVs, 470 K, 213 BB, .300 Opp. BA

Johnson’s Dominance: Mark Johnson wrapped up his third season at Sam Houston State with his 3^rd Southland Tournament Title as the Bearkats defeated Texas State 7-1.  It was the 8^th SLC tournament title in school history and it earned them their 6^th NCAA tournament trip.  Johnson enters the 2010 season 11 victories shy of 1000 career wins.

Mound Strength: The Kats return only 11 of 24 letterwinners from last season, but do return 3 starting pitchers and their top reliever.  The staff is led by Jr. RHP Matt Shelton (7-0, 1.99 ERA, 2 SVs), Jr. LHP Brent Powers (3-2, 4.77 ERA, 61 K), and Jr. RHP Justin Jackson (3-0, 5.75 ERA, 21 APP).

Fresh Faces: In addition to 11 freshman joining the roster in 2010, several talented transfers from top baseball programs will also be eligible this season.  Those coming to SHSU include C. John Hale (Rice), OF Jared Wondra (Louisville), P/OF Michael Heard (Texas A&M) and 1B Taylor Davis (LSU).

Southeastern Louisiana

2009 Season: (37-22, 21-12)

Nickname: Lions

Head Coach: Jay Artiques

Location: Hammond, LA

Vitals: .305 BA, 32 HR, .389 OBP, .964 Fld %…5.66 ERA, 2 CG, 18 SVs, 401 K, 244 BB, .282 Opp. BA

Looking for More: Southeastern Louisiana won a school record 21 conference games last year to finish in 2^nd place during the regular season.  This season, they look to capture the SLC crown and will do so behind three preseason 2^nd team All-SLC picks.  Heading the group is Jr. OF Cass Hargis, a 2008 Freshman All-American, who hit .317 with 4 HR and 32 RBI, Jr. INF/OF Josh Cryer (.309, 71 H, 4 HR), and Sr. RHP Chris Franklin (5-2, 2.60 ERA, 12 SVs).  Franklin is also a 2^nd team preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Association and is on the Stopper of the Year watch list.

Quick Start: The Lions play 12 of their first 16 games at home beginning on February 19^th with 3 games against Eastern Illinois and a single game with Mississippi Valley State.  They then head to Starkville for a 3-game set at Mississippi State before coming back home for 5 in a row.

Stephen F. Austin

2009 Season: (23-32, 14-18)

Nickname: Lumberjacks

Head Coach: Johnny Cardenas

Location: Nacogdoches, TX

Vitals: .302 BA, 41 HR, .368 OBP, .961 Fld. %…5.56 ERA, 1 CG, 13 SVs, 346 K, 246 BB, .286 Opp. BA

2010 Outlook: Stephen F. Austin finished 8^th in the conference last year and this season return just 12 letterwinners.  Among the guys returning are Sr. UTL Ryan Priest (.370, 4 HR, 26 RBI), Sr. SS Tanner Hines (.353, 78 H, 17 SB), and Jr. RHP Jared West (4-3, 5.11 ERA, 36 K).

Schedule Notes: The Jacks play more road games than home games this year, but do begin with a three game series in Nacogdoches against Grambling State.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

2009 Season: (18-38, 9-24)

Nickname: Islanders

Head Coach: Scott Malone

Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Vitals: .281 BA, 48 HR, .355 OBP, .959 Fld. %…7.71 ERA, 7 SVs, 282 K, 210 BB, .346 Opp. BA

Flipping it Around: The Islanders finished last in the conference last year and are picked to finish 11^th this season.  They will try to turn things around this year behind preseason 1^st team All-SLC selection Trey Hernandez.  Hernandez hit just .236 in 2009, but crushed a team best 12 HR.  He also performed on the mound going 2-3 with a team-high 4 saves.

Tough Schedule: A&M-CC will face 7 teams ranked in the NCBWA Top 35.  Among the ranked teams on the schedule is top-ranked Texas.  Other opponents are Rice, Houston, Oklahoma, UCLA, Elon, and Mississippi State.

Texas State

2009 Season: (41-17, 24-7)

Nickname: Bobcats

Head Coach: Ty Harrington

Location: San Marcos, TX

Vitals: .334 BA, 75 HR, .419 OBP, .970 Fld. %…4.85 ERA, 3 CG, 10 SVs, 358 K, 181 BB, .303 Opp. BA

Banner Year: Texas State captured their first ever regular season Southland Conference championship last season finishing 4 games up on Southeastern Louisiana.  Ty Harrington was named SLC Coach of the Year, and 7 players were selected to All-Conference teams.

Tyler Sibley

Bobcat Repeat: The Bobcats are predicted to win the conference once again as voted on by both the coaches and SIDs.  In addition 4 players were tabbed for preseason conference honors with So. INF Tyler Sibley (.359, 10 HR, 14 SB) and Jr. OF Bret Atwood (.368, 86 H, 14 SB) first team selection, while Sr. INF Kyle Livingstone (.314, 5 HR, 34 RBI) and Jr. INF Jason Martinson (.303, 7 HR, 39 RBI) were named to the second team.

Pitching Prowess: Texas State will have to replace SLC Pitcher of the Year Kane Holbrooks (10-1, 3.29 ERA, 57), but do bring back Jr. RHP Brian Borski (7-3, 3.71 ERA, 1 CG), and Sr. RHP Michael Russo (4-3, 4.35 ERA, 6 SVs).

UT-Arlington

2009 Season: (30-26, 19-13)

Nickname: Mavericks

Head Coach: Darin Thomas

Location: Arlington, TX

Vitals: .306 BA, 39 HR, .375 OBP, .971 Fld. %…4.38 ERA, 4 CG, 12 SVs, 410 K, 183 BB, .292 Opp. BA

Michael Choice

Star Player: Jr. CF Michael Choice enters 2010 as one of the most decorated players in the conference.  A member of the 2009 USA Baseball Team, Choice is a preseason 2^nd team All-American from PING! and Louisville Slugger, and a 3^rd team All-American from the NCBWA.  In addition, College Baseball Blog rates Choice as the 13^th overall player on their Projected Top 100 player list.  Choice is school’s all-time career batting leader with a .396 average.  Last season, he batted .413 with 11 HR, and 52 RBI is helping UTA win 30 games.

Pitching Depth Problems: The Mavericks staff led the league with a 4.38 ERA, but only four pitchers return that threw at least 10 innings last season.  The team will rely heavily on Jr. RHP Rett Varner (2-3, 3.95 ERA, 44 K), a 1^st team preseason All-SLC pick, and Sr. RHP Jason Mitchell (4-5, 4.63 ERA, 42 K) as starters, with Jr. LHP Adam Boydston (1-5, 3.29 ERA, 9 SVs) coming out of the bullpen.

UT-San Antonio

2009 Season: (32-25, 20-12)

Nickname: Roadrunners

Head Coach: Sherman Corbett

Location: San Antonio, TX

Vitals: .317 BA, 89 HR, .398 OBP, .956 Fld. %…5.97 ERA, 2 CG, 7 SVs, 393 K, 241 BB, .307 Opp. BA

Offensive Explosion: UTSA broke several offensive records last year on their way to a 3^rd place finish in the SLC.  Records that were broken were team BA (.317), hits (661), homeruns (86), slugging (.532), and total bases (1109).  Leading the way were Michael Rockett (.394, 15 HR, 58 RBI) and Lance Brown (.372, 84 H, 17 doubles).

Key Returners: The Roadrunners will deal with the loss of Rockett and slugger Jose Hernandez, who crushed 17 HR last year, but bring back plenty of offense with Brown and Jr. Ryan Hutson (.343, 17 HR, 43 RBI), and Jr. DH Brett Aguilar (.304, 11 doubles, 29 RBI) returning.  Brown and Aguilar were named to the SLC preseason 1^st-team, with Hutson tabbed for the second team.

2010 Predictions

2010 Champion: Texas State just beats out SE Louisiana

2010 Player of the Year: Michael Choice—UT-Arlington

2010 Pitcher of the Year: Eric Harrington—Lamar

Ceremony Set For May 8

ARLINGTON, Texas – The UT Arlington baseball program will retire former Maverick and current Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman’s #1 jersey number prior to the first pitch of UT Arlington’s Saturday, May 8, game against Stephen F. Austin at 2 p.m. at Clay Gould Ballpark.

Hillman’s (1982-85) #1 jersey will join former head coach Butch McBroom (#30) and the late former player, assistant coach and head coach Clay Gould (#8) as the only jersey numbers retired in UT Arlington baseball history.

Hillman, the only three-time All-Southland Conference selection in UTA history, will be in attendance for the ceremony as the Kansas City Royals are schedule to take on the Texas Rangers at the Ballpark in Arlington May 6-9.

“It is a great honor, especially to join the only other two people who have had their numbers retired,” Hillman said. “I have great memories playing at UTA and Arlington will always be my hometown. I’m looking forward to coming back and being able to share that day with everyone at UT Arlington.”

Trey Hillman

Just 16 months ago, Hillman returned to his alma mater when he was named a Distinguished Alumni at the 43rd Annual UT Arlington Distinguished Alumni Gala. After a four-year career with the Mavericks, Hillman signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Indians. Hillman later returned to UT Arlington where he earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and sport studies in 1991.

One of the top players in UT Arlington history, Hillman became the first Maverick baseball player inducted into the UT Arlington Athletic Hall of Honor in 1992. Hillman’s .442 batting average in 1985 – which led the Southland Conference – remains the top single-season batting average in UTA history and is the second best average in Southland Conference history.

After completing his professional playing career in the Cleveland Indians’ minor league system in 1987, Hillman spent one season scouting with the Indians before becoming the youngest minor league manager at that time with the New York Yankees Class-A club in the Carolina League. He then spent 12 years managing in the Yankees minor league system from 1990-2001.

After one season as the director of player development with the Texas Rangers, Hillman accepted a managerial position with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan. During five seasons in Japan, the Nippon-Ham Fighters made three playoff appearances (2004, 2006, 2007), which includes winning the 2006 Japan Series championship and the 2006 Asian Championship. It was the first title for the Nippon-Ham Fighters franchise since 1962.

Hillman became the 15th manager in the history of the Royals on Oct. 19, 2007, and has followed by leading the Royals to 140 wins in two seasons, which is the most wins during the first two seasons by a Royals manager since Bob Boone won 145 games in 1995-96.

Two other familiar faces to the UTA program will be on hand with Hillman as his third base coach, Dave Owen (1977-79), and bullpen coach, Steve Foster (1987-88), will also return to UT Arlington for the ceremony.

Owen became the first former Maverick to make it to the big leagues with the Chicago Cubs in 1983 and Foster pitched three seasons with the Cincinnati Reds from 1991-1993. Owen will start his third season on the Royals coaching staff this year while Foster is joining the Royals after spending the past three seasons as the bullpen coach for the Florida Marlins.

(Release)

Texas State Favored In Coaches’ & SID Polls

FRISCO, Texas – Texas State is favored to win its fourth Southland Conference regular-season baseball championship by a vote of the league’s head coaches and sports information directors, the conference announced Tuesday.

The Bobcats received five first-place votes and 114 points in the coaches’ poll and five first-place votes and 112 points in the SID poll. Texas State returns 19 letterwinners, five starters and nine pitchers from a Bobcat squad that won its first regular-season title since 1997 and posted its best record in program history with 41 overall wins and 24 league wins.

Sam Houston State, the three-time defending Southland tournament champions, was picked to finish a close second to Texas State. The Bearkats received four first-place votes and 107 points in the coaches’ poll and four first-place votes and 103 points in the SID poll.

The remaining first-place votes went to Lamar, which came in third in both polls with three first-place votes and 105 points in the coaches’ poll and two first-place votes and 100 points in the SID poll. Less than 12 points separate the top three teams in both polls.

Both polls had the same order of finish from the first-place team through the eighth-place team. After Lamar, Southeastern Louisiana was picked fourth, followed by UTSA, UT Arlington, Northwestern State and Stephen F. Austin.

The only difference in both the coaches’ and SID polls came at the ninth and 10th-place rankings. Central Arkansas was picked ninth in the coaches’ poll and 10th in the SID poll and McNeese State was picked ninth in the SID poll and 10th in the coaches’ poll.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Nicholls round out both polls as the 11th- and 12th-place teams, respectively.

Opening day of the Southland season is Feb. 19 with conference play beginning March 5. For the second consecutive season, the Southland Conference tournament will be played at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas. The event will be held May 26-29.

Southland Conference Coaches Poll

Pl.       School (first-place votes)……………………….. Pts.

1.         Texas State (5)………………………………………. 114

2.         Sam Houston State (4)………………………….. 107

3.         Lamar (3)………………………………………………. 105

4.         Southeastern Louisiana…………………………… 84

5.         UTSA……………………………………………………….. 77

6.         UT Arlington……………………………………………. 73

7.         Northwestern State………………………………… 65

8.         Stephen F. Austin……………………………………. 50

9.         Central Arkansas……………………………………… 39

10.      McNeese State……………………………………….. 34

11.      Texas A&M-Corpus Christi………………………. 23

12.      Nicholls…………………………………………………… 17

Sports Information Directors POLL

Pl.       School (first-place votes)……………………….. Pts.

1.         Texas State (6)………………………………………. 112

2.         Sam Houston State (4)………………………….. 103

3.         Lamar (2)………………………………………………. 100

4.         Southeastern Louisiana…………………………… 90

5.         UTSA……………………………………………………….. 83

6.         UT Arlington……………………………………………. 76

7.         Northwestern State………………………………… 62

8.         Stephen F. Austin……………………………………. 46

9.         McNeese State……………………………………….. 41

10.      Central Arkansas……………………………………… 40

11.      Texas A&M-Corpus Christi………………………. 21

12.      Nicholls…………………………………………………… 17

Hendricks Played For UTA & In Big Leagues

K.J. Hendricks

announced on Wednesday that K.J. Hendricks has been added to the Mavericks coaching staff as an assistant coach.

Hendricks, although new to the position, is no stranger to the UTA baseball program after spending each of the past two seasons on the Maverick coaching staff as a volunteer assistant (2009) and team chaplain (2008).

“We are excited to be able to add K.J. Hendricks to our staff,” Thomas said. “Having worked with K.J. for the last two years I know he will do a great job. I know we see eye-to-eye on our philosophies on hitting, defense and base running – which are the things he will be handling. I also know the players liked him and liked the way he coached. We are excited to have an alum on board.”

Hendricks was a two-year letterman for the Mavericks in 2001-02 while Thomas was associate head coach of the Mavs, helping lead UTA to the 2001 NCAA Tournament. Hendricks was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2001 SLC Tournament while batting .391 in tournament play. Hendricks was a two-time All-SLC selection and led the league in stolen bases during both seasons.

Following his junior season in 2002, Hendricks was drafted in the 26th round by the Colorado Rockies. He played six professional seasons overall, which included time in the Rockies and Baltimore Orioles farm system and one season with the Fort Worth Cats in the Independent League. His professional playing career included a .284 average with 134 stolen bases.

Hendricks replaces Mark Flatten, who accepted a scouting position with the Toronto Blue Jays after spending three and a half years on the Mavericks coaching staff.

(Release)

Mavericks And Bears Will Meet In Mid April

UT Arlington 2010 Schedule

The Mavericks have 30 home dates on their 2010 schedule, and the addition of the Baylor game gives the Mavericks 32 straight seasons hosting at least one Big 12 team at Clay Gould Ballpark.

(Release)