In the next offseason position battle post we’ll look at the University of Louisville‘s vacant first base position:

The departed: Senior Andrew Clark and junior Phil Wunderlich started all but seven games for UofL at first base in 2010. Both players are now in organizational ball meaning the Cards have a significant void at a key defensive position and in the middle of the lineup.

The returning contenders: Four of the six starts at first base that didn’t go to Clark or Wunderlich in 2010 went to rising sophomore Cade Stallings, and the other three went to rising sophomore Zak Wasserman. Head coach Dan McDonnell appears ready to give one of those players the job in 2011 as each started in all five games of the fall scrimmage series for UofL. Neither player grabbed the job during the fall as Stallings was just 2-19 in the five-game series, while Wasserman was 3-18.

Newcomers to watch: Freshman Brian Hedden is the only newcomer listed as a first baseman on the UofL roster, but he also could be featured as a left-handed pitcher. As a senior for Roxbury High School in Succasunna, N. J., Hedden batted .425 with five home runs and eight doubles.

Wildcard: Rising sophomore Kyle Grieshaber appeared in 53 games for UofL as a freshman, mostly in the outfield. During the fall Grieshaber started each of the five games of the Pizza Bowl at third base, but might be able to move to first if neither Wasserman or Stallings steps up and takes the job.