Archive for February, 2009

2009 Air Force Season Preview: Middle Infield

– February 11, 2009Posted in: 2009 Season Preview, Mountain West

FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

Junior shortstop K.J. Randhawa

Second base and shortstop
Air Force tied a school record by fielding .957 in 2008. With the entire infield returning for 2009, the Falcons anticipate the defense, especially the infield, being one of the team’s strengths. Air Force will be especially strong up the middle with the return of shortstop K.J. Randhawa and second baseman Jon McMahon.

Randhawa enters his third year as the starting shortstop and is also a team co-captain. The junior fielded .954 as a sophomore, improving significantly upon a freshman year that saw him field .915. In addition, Randhawa had a team-leading 162 assists and turned 36 double-plays in 2008. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: 2009 Season Preview, Air Force, Mountain West

2009 Wake Forest Season Preview: Outfield

Brian Foley

– February 11, 2009Posted in: 2009 Season Preview, ACC

FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

Sophomore Steven Brooks

The Deacs return two starters in the outfield, as senior captain Evan Ocheltree returns to play right field, while sophomore Steven Brooks enters the season as the projected starter in center field. Wake Forest will have to replace departed senior Ben Terry, who started all 56 games in 2008, hit .257 on the season and led the team with 18 stolen bases. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: 2009 Season Preview, ACC, Wake Forest

Gagg back at Coastal Carolina

Brian Foley

– February 11, 2009Posted in: Big South

Bobby Gagg back on the mound (Courtesy of CCU Media Relations)

Senior RHP Bobby Gagg has been granted a waiver by the Big South conference making him eligible for the 2009 season. He has a career record of 22-6 with a 2.90 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 273.1 innings over his first three seasons with the Chanticleers. His true breakout season was in 2007 when he went 12-2 with a 2.57 ERA and 84 strikeouts. He picked up Big South Pitcher of the Year and was named a Second-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball. Last season, Gagg had a 6-3 record with a 3.28 ERA while only walking 10 batters in 85 innings pitched. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Big South, Coastal Carolina, Suspended

West Texas A&M Split Doubleheader Against College of the Southwest

Donald J. Boyles

– February 11, 2009Posted in: Division 2

Head coach Matt Vanderburg has the Buffs off to a 4-1 start as they enter their first homestand this weekend

FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

The West Texas A&M baseball team continued to impress on Wednesday afternoon, as they ran their overall record to 4-1 after splitting a doubleheader against College of the Southwest in front of 50 fans at Williams Field in Hobbs, New Mexico.

The Buffs start Lone Star Conference play this weekend as they host Central Oklahoma in a four game series. This marks WT’s first home series of the season, as well as the first collegiate games at Potter County Memorial Stadium since the 2007 season.
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Tags: College of the Southwest, Division 2, West Texas A&M

Oregon State Debuts Two New Uniforms At Wednesday Scrimmage

Donald J. Boyles

– February 11, 2009Posted in: Pac 12

Brent Warren getting eye black put on by Ryan Gorton (16)

FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State baseball team scrimmaged Wednesday afternoon at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field. And in the process, the Beavers got their first workouts in a pair of their newest set of uniforms.

The club split into two teams during the intra-squad scrimmage. One club wore an all black top, adorned with the word “Beavers” in orange. The other dressed in orange with “Beavers” also on the front, this time in black. The pair of uniforms are two of the six the Beavers will have available to them this season.
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Tags: Oregon State, Pac 12

Gonzaga Baseball Announces 2010 Class

Donald J. Boyles

– February 11, 2009Posted in: 2010 Recruits, West Coast Conference

Sixth year head coach Mark Machtolf

FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga University head baseball coach Mark Machtolf has announced that seven players have signed their National Letters of Intent to play for the Bulldogs.

Joining the Zags for the 2010 season will be right-handed pitcher Chris Asing from Flower Mound, Tex., left-handed pitcher Liam Baron out of Perth, Australia, infielder Clayton Eslick from Gilroy, Calif., catcher Kevin Hawk out of Lewiston, Idaho, outfielder/left-handed pitcher Billy Moon from Spokane, left-hander pitcher/first baseman Jacob Partridge also out of Spokane and catcher/first baseman Brock Slavin out of Tumwater, Wash.
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Tags: 2010 Recruits, Gonzaga, West Coast Conference

Southwestern University fall to Howard Payne

Donald J. Boyles

– February 11, 2009Posted in: Division 3

Todd Boone

FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

On a cloudless afternoon in Georgetown, Southwestern University out hit Howard Payne University but could not capture the win, falling 8-5.

HPU posted one run in the top of the first and SU matched it on a single by junior right-fielder John Wooten down the left-field line that drove in junior center-fielder Todd Boone. The Pirates scored again in the second inning after Boone’s RBI single drove in freshman leftfielder Cray Betts to take the lead 2-1.
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Tags: Division 3, Howard Payne University, Southwestern University

McNeese State Cowboy infield expected to be improved over last year

Donald J. Boyles

– February 11, 2009Posted in: Southland Conference

Shon Landry

FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

The play of the infield is expected to be one of the areas of improvement for McNeese State’s baseball team this season.

The Cowboys open their year Feb. 20 at home against Houston Baptist and head coach Terry Burrows says that there will be a difference.

“We’re definitely going to be a better fielding team in the infield this season,” Burrows said. “Shon (Landry) is our leader at shortstop and he’s going to have some pretty good hands around him.”
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Tags: McNeese State, Southland Conference

2009 California Baseball Outlook

Donald J. Boyles

– February 11, 2009Posted in: 2009 Season Preview, Pac 12

Versatile Blake Smith will be a key player for the 2009 Golden Bears.

FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

BERKELEY, CALIF. – Last year the California baseball program got a taste of NCAA Regional competition. Now the Golden Bears are looking to take an even bigger bite.

David Esquer’s 2009 squad has several key components returning from his 2008 postseason team and these players are determined to vie for another regional appearance and exceed last year’s results. Among Cal’s top performers will be multi-talented Blake Smith, a Louisville Slugger second-team preseason All-American utility player who was the USA National Team’s leading hitter last summer. Center fielder Brett Jackson, a talented left-handed hitter, named the eighth-best prospect out of the Cape Cod League by Baseball America. Right-hander Kevin Miller, a 2008 Freshman All-American and honorable mention All-Pac-10 pick. Jeff Kobernus, a solid all-around player and a 2007 Freshman All-American, and Dylan Tonneson, who developed into the Bears’ everyday catcher last year and was instrumental in Cal’s 2008 regional run.
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Tags: 2009 Season Preview, Cal, Pac 12

Western Carolina Baseball Continues Practice; Opens 2009 Season on Feb. 20

Donald J. Boyles

– February 11, 2009Posted in: Southern Conference

Cullowhee, N.C. – With the first pitch of the 2009 season just nine days away, the Western Carolina Catamount baseball team continued its preparations over the weekend with a trio of intrasquad scrimmage situations. Team practice commenced the first weekend of February, giving WCU nearly 20 days of practice to gear up for its season opener.
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Tags: Southern Conference, Western Carolina

Santa Clara: Meet The New Broncos

Donald J. Boyles

– February 11, 2009Posted in: West Coast Conference

Head coach Mark O'Brien and the Broncos are excited to get the 2009 season underway.

FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In this second installment of Countdown to Opening Day 2009, SantaClaraBroncos.com introduces Bronco fans to the newest members of the 2009 squad. Eighth year head coach Mark O’Brien welcomes one junior transfer and 11 freshmen to the roster. Here are a couple fun facts about each of the new Broncos.
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Tags: Santa Clara, West Coast Conference

2009 Summit League Baseball Preseason Poll

Donald J. Boyles

– February 11, 2009Posted in: 2009 Preseason Conference Poll, Summit League

Courtesy: ORU Media Relations

FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

ELMHURST, Ill. − After winning its record 11th straight league championship a year ago, Oral Roberts was a unanimous decision to claim its 12th consecutive Summit League crown in 2009 as voted by the league’s eight head coaches.

The Golden Eagles collected seven first-place votes for a total of 49 points. Only five points separated the next three teams as Southern Utah placed second with 40 points, Centenary was third with 35 points and South Dakota State is in the fourth slot with 30 points and the final first-place vote. SDSU edged Western Illinois by one point, as the Leathernecks were selected fifth with 29 points. Oakland (17 points), IPFW (13 points) and North Dakota State (11 points) rounded out the voting.
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