Alex Phillips

NCAA roundup: WKU, EKU win; UK, Morehead St. lose

College Baseball

Brian Edelen; BluGrass Baseball photo

Recaps and highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Western Kentucky University held off a late rally from Florida Atlantic to preserve a 5-4 win and clinch the series victory. Redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Brian Edelen earned the win after surrendering two runs on four hits in five innings of relief while striking out seven batters and walking none. Freshman first baseman Jordan Cessna was 2-3 with one walk and two runs scored in a rare start, and junior second baseman Ivan Hartle was 2-3 with two RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky bullpen fell apart again, surrendering three runs with two outs in the ninth inning in a 6-3 loss to Vanderbilt. The loss officially eliminated UK from Southeastern Conference tournament contention. Junior left-handed pitcher Alex Phillips took the loss after surrendering two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper surrendered three runs on five hits in six innings while striking out five batters and walking six in his return to the weekend rotation. Junior third baseman Thomas McCarthy was 3-4 with one RBI and one run scored, and junior catcher Michael Williams slugged his sixth home run of the season. (Box Score)
  • Eastern Kentucky University finished a three-game sweep of Murray State University with a 5-1 win Sunday. Junior left-handed pitcher Greg Terry earned the win after surrendering one run on four hits in five and two-third innings while striking out two batters and walking one. Junior shortstop Richie Rodriguez was 3-5 with one run scored, and sophomore center fielder Austin Grisham slugged his second home run of the season. Junior right-handed pitcher Matt Fyffe earned his first save with three and one-third scoreless innings of relief. No Murray St. batter recorded multiple hits in the game. Junior left-handed pitcher Luke Shuemaker took the loss after surrendering four runs in three innings. (Box Score)
  • UT Martin scored four runs after the sixth inning to send Morehead State University to a 9-8 loss. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Matt Cartwright took the loss after surrendering one run without recording an out. Junior center fielder Andrew Deeds was 3-4 with one double, one triple, three RBI and one run scored while setting the school single-season and career triples records. Junior catcher Taylor Davis was 2-5 with two runs scored, and junior catcher Eric Bainer was 2-5 with one RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: CF Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.)
  • Stats: 3-4, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 SB
  • Honorable Mention: Jordan Cessna (WKU), Ivan Hartle (WKU), Thomas McCarthy (UK), Michael Williams (UK), Richie Rodriguez (EKU), Austin Grisham (EKU), Ty Stetson (Murray St.), Taylor Davis (Morehead St.)
Pitcher of the day: RHP Brian Edelen (WKU)
  • Stats: 1-0, 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Jordan Cooper (UK), Greg Terry (EKU), Matt Fyffe (EKU), Tyler Saltsman (Murray St.)

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: May 4

College Baseball

In the second weekly leaderboard post we’ll look at the top pitching statistics through 10 weeks of the college baseball season. To be eligible for the ERA and batting average against categories, pitchers must have at least one inning per team game. Eligible players attend a Kentucky college or graduated from a Kentucky high school. Stats are current through Tuesday’s games.

ERA

  • Derek Self — UofL — 1.49 (48.1)
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 1.64 (76.2 IP)
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 2.07 (74.0 IP)
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 3.32 (78.2 IP)
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 3.42 (71.0 IP)

Wins

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 8-0
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 8-2
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 7-4
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 6-2
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 6-3

Strikeouts

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 91
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — 72
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 69
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 63
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 60

Innings Pitched

  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X HS) — 79.0
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 78.2
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 76.2
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 74.0
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 71.0

Saves

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 11
  • Mike Kaczmarek — UK — 4
  • Cameron Finch — Murray St. — 4
  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 4
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 4

Batting Average Against

  • Derek Self — UofL — .182
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .191
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — .211
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — .221
  • Alex Meyer — UK — .225

Appearances

  • Nick Maronde — Florida (Lexington Catholic) — 23
  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 22
  • Alex Phillips — UK — 22
  • Taylor Haydel — WKU — 21
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 20
  • Trevor Gott — UK — 20
  • Tony Zych — UofL — 20

NCAA roundup: UK beats UofL; EKU blown out

Uncategorized

Recaps and highlights from Tuesday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • You can read the BluGrass Baseball recap of the University of Kentucky‘s 7-1 win over the University of Louisville here.
  • Eastern Kentucky University surrendered 11 runs in the first two innings of its Tuesday game and never overcame the early deficit in an 18-7 loss to East Tennessee St. Freshman right-handed pitcher Blake Bottoms took the loss after surrendering six runs on eight hits in two-thirds of an inning in his second start of the season. Freshman third baseman Bryan Soloman was 3-5 with one home run, three RBI and one run scored. Sophomore designated hitter Alex Hughes slugged his third home run of the season. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: 3B Bryan Soloman (EKU)
  • Stats: 3-4, 1 HR, 2 2Bs, 3 RBI, 1 R
  • Honorable Mention: Ryan Seiz (UofL), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Luke Maile (UK), Chad Wright (UK), Austin Grisham (EKU),
Pitcher of the day: RHP Jordan Cooper (UK)
  • Stats: 1-0, 6.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO
  • Honorable Mention: RHP Chad Green (UofL), Alex Phillips (UK)

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: April 26

College Baseball

In the second weekly leaderboard post we’ll look at the top pitching statistics through 10 weeks of the college baseball season. To be eligible for the ERA and batting average against categories, pitchers must have at least one inning per team game. Eligible players attend a Kentucky college or graduated from a Kentucky high school. Stats are current through Sunday’s games.

ERA

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 1.42 (69.2 IP)
  • Derek Self — UofL — 1.55 (40.2)
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 1.88 (67.0 IP)
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — 3.19 (53.2 IP)
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 3.23 (64.0 IP)

Wins

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 7-0
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 7-2
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 6-2
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 6-2
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 6-4

Strikeouts

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 81
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — 66
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 63
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 56
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 53

Innings Pitched

  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X HS) — 72.0
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 71.2
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 69.2
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 67.0
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 64.0

Saves

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 10
  • Mike Kaczmarek — UK — 4
  • Cameron Finch — Murray St. — 4
  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 4
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 4

Batting Average Against

  • Derek Self — UofL — .181
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .187
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — .210
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — .216
  • Alex Meyer — UK — .230

Appearances

  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 21
  • Alex Phillips — UK — 20
  • Taylor Haydell — WKU — 20
  • Nick Maronde — Florida (Lexington Catholic) — 20
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 19
  • Trevor Gott — UK — 19
  • Tony Zych — UofL — 19

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: April 19

Uncategorized

In the second weekly leaderboard post we’ll look at the top pitching statistics through nine weeks of the college baseball season. To be eligible for the ERA and batting average against categories, pitchers must have at least one inning per team game. Eligible players attend a Kentucky college or graduated from a Kentucky high school. Stats are current through Sunday’s games.

ERA

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 1.29 (62.2 IP)
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 1.95 (60.0 IP)
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — 2.41 (52.1 IP)
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 2.44 (59 IP)
  • Matt Koch — UofL — 3.52 (53.2 IP)

Wins

  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 7-1
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 6-0
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 6-1
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 6-3
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 5-2
  • Taylor Haydel — WKU — 5-3

Strikeouts

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 71
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 58
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — 56
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 50
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 47

Innings Pitched

  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X HS) — 64.0
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 62.2
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 62.2
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 60.0
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 59.0

Saves

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 9
  • Mike Kaczmarek — UK — 4
  • Cameron Finch — Murray St. — 4
  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 4
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 4

Batting Average Against

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .183
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — .212
  • Brandon Boling — Gardner Webb (Bryan Station HS) — .216
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — .224
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — .230

Appearances

  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 20
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 18
  • Alex Phillips — UK — 18
  • Taylor Haydell — WKU — 18
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 17
  • Nick Maronde — Florida (Lexington Catholic) — 17
  • Trevor Gott — UK — 17

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: April 12

College Baseball

In the second weekly leaderboard post we’ll look at the top pitching statistics through eight weeks of the college baseball season. To be eligible for the ERA and batting average against categories, pitchers must have at least one inning per team game. Eligible players attend a Kentucky college or graduated from a Kentucky high school. Stats are current through Sunday’s games.

ERA

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 1.14 (55.1 IP)
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 2.03 (53.1 IP)
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — 2.31 (46.2 IP)
  • Mike Nastold — UofL — 2.60 (34.2 IP)
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 2.65 (51 IP)

Wins

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 6-0
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 6-1
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 6-1
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 5-1
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 5-3

Strikeouts

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 64
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 50
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — 48
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 45
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 44

Innings Pitched

  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X HS) — 55.2
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 55.1
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 55.1
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 53.1
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 51.0

Saves

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 9
  • Mike Kaczmarek — UK — 4
  • Cameron Finch — Murray St. — 4
  • Rye Davis — WKU — 3
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 3
  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 3
  • Matt Cartwright — Morehead St. — 3

Batting Average Against

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .192
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — .207
  • Brandon Boling — Gardner Webb (Bryan Station HS) — .217
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — .224
  • Mike Nastold — UofL — .234

Appearances

  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 17
  • Matt Cartwright — Morehead St. — 16
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 16
  • Nick Maronde — Florida (Lexington Catholic) — 16
  • Alex Phillips — UK — 16

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: April 5

College Baseball

In the second weekly leaderboard post we’ll look at the top pitching statistics through seven weeks of the college baseball season. To be eligible for the ERA and batting average against categories, pitchers must have at least one inning per team game. Eligible players attend a Kentucky college or graduated from a Kentucky high school. Stats are current through Sunday’s games.

ERA

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 0.92 (48.2 IP)
  • Mike Nastold — UofL — 1.74 (31.0 IP)
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 2.09 (47.1 IP)
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — 2.09 (38.2 IP)
  • Jack Snodgrass (Austin Peay, Bowling Green HS) — 2.88 (34.1 IP)

Wins

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 6-0
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 6-1
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 5-1
  • Corey Littrell — UK — 4-1
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 4-1
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 4-3

Strikeouts

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 62
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 43
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — 42
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 40
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 37

Innings Pitched

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 49.1
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 48.2
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 47.1
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X HS) — 46.2
  • Tyler Beers — Murray St. — 43.0

Saves

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 7
  • Mike Kaczmarek — UK — 4
  • Cameron Finch — Murray St. — 4
  • Rye Davis — WKU — 3
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 3

Batting Average Against

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .182
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — .200
  • Mike Nastold — UofL — .211
  • Alex Meyer — UK — .214
  • Brandon Boling — Gardner Webb (Bryan Station HS) — .220
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — .220

Appearances

  • Matt Cartwright — Morehead St. — 14
  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 14
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 14
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 13
  • Nick Maronde — Florida (Lexington Catholic) — 13
  • Tyler Hieneman — Morehead St. — 13
  • Taylor Haydel — WKU — 13
  • Alex Phillips — UK — 13

Sunday roundup: UK, UofL, EKU finish series sweeps; WKU, Murray St. win rubber matches; Morehead St. falls to 2-14

College Baseball

On a day when three Kentucky basketball teams discovered their NCAA tournament seedings, here are recaps of Sunday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville finished off a three-game sweep of Pepperdine during which the pitching staff surrendered just two runs with a 7-0 win on Sunday. Redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Mike Nastold improved to 2-0 on the season after surrendering one hit in five shutout innings while striking out two batters and walking three. Six different UofL batters tallied two hits in the game, and senior left fielder Drew Haynes was 2-3 with three RBI. Sophomore third baseman Cade Stallings was 2-5 with two RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University secured a series win versus Illinois with a 13-5 win in the rubber match of the three-game series on Sunday. Senior catcher Matt Rice was 2-2 with three walks and four RBI, and junior shortstop Logan Robbins was 3-5 with three RBI. Junior left fielder Jared Andreoli was 3-3 with two RBI, three runs scored, one walk and one stolen base. Six different WKU batters recorded multiple hits in the game, including freshman Justin Hageman who made his first collegiate start as a designated hitter. Hageman is WKU’s Saturday starting pitcher. Senior right-handed reliever Brian Edelen earned the win after surrendering one run on three hits in three innings. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky scored two runs in the seventh inning to secure a series sweep of Niagara with a 2-1 win on Sunday. Sophomore center fielder Brian Adams scored the eventual winning run and finished the game 2-3. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper took a no decision despite surrendering just one run on six hits in six and two-third innings while striking out three batters and walking four. Junior left-handed pitcher Alex Phillips earned his first career win after recording the final out in the top of the seventh inning, and senior left-handed pitcher Mike Kaczmarek earned his second save after recording the final six outs of the game without surrendering a baserunner. (Box Score)
  • Murray State University scored three runs in the fifth inning to earn a 4-1 win and series victory over IPFW on Sunday. Junior left-handed pitcher Bryan Babin earned the win after surrendering one run on five hits in six innings while striking out three batters and walking four. Freshman right-handed pitcher Cameron Finch did not surrender a run over the final three innings to record his third save of the season. Junior second baseman Travis Isaak had the big blow for the Breds in the fifth inning and finished the game 2-3 with a double and three RBI. Sophomore shortstop Brandon Elliott scored two runs in the game. (Box Score)
  • Eastern Kentucky University finished a series sweep of UNC Asheville with a 13-6 win on Sunday. Senior right-handed pitcher Stephen Hefler earned his second win of the season after surrendering five runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits in seven and two-third innings while striking out seven batters and walking two. Sophomore designated hitter Alex Hughes was 1-5 with one home run, three RBI and two runs scored, and freshman third baseman Bryan Soloman was 2-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Six different EKU batters recorded multiple hits in the game. (Box Score)
  • The Morehead State University pitching staff continued its poor performance during the early portion of the 2011 season in a 9-6 loss to La Salle. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Cody Gibson took the loss after surrendering seven runs on 11 hits in three and one-third innings. Junior third baseman Andrew Deeds was 2-4 with two doubles, two stolen bases and two runs scored, and junior catcher Eric Bainer was 2-4 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: LF Jared Andreoli (WKU)

  • Stats: 3-3, 1 BB, 2 RBI, 3 R, 1 SB, 1 3B
  • Honorable Mention: Matt Rice (WKU), Logan Robbins (WKU), Drew Haynes (UofL), Cade Stallings (UofL), Brian Adams (UK), Travis Isaak (Murray St.), Matt Phipps (EKU), Bryan Soloman (EKU), Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.), Eric Bainer (Morehead St.)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Mike Nastold (UofL)

  • Stats: 1-0, 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Jordan Cooper (UK), Bryan Babin (Murray St.), Stephen Hefler (EKU)

Wednesday roundup: WKU wins; UK, Morehead St. lose

College Baseball

Logan Robbins bats vs. UK in 2010; BluGrass Baseball photo

Recaps and highlights from Wednesday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • Western Kentucky University jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after two innings and never looked back in a 7-3 win over Mississippi. Junior shortstop Logan Robbins was 3-5 with a home run, one RBI and three runs scored, and junior third baseman Casey Dykes was 3-3 with one RBI, one run scored and one stolen base. Junior second baseman Ivan Hartle drove in three runs, and senior right-handed starting pitcher Brian Edelen struck out five batters and surrendered one run in two and two-third innings. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Rye Davis, freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman, junior right-handed pitcher Phil Wetherell and junior right-handed pitcher Ross Hammonds each posted scoreless appearances. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie its Wednesday game, but Middle Tennessee retook the lead with a six-run eighth inning and sent UK to a 9-4 loss. Junior left-handed pitcher Alex Phillips took the loss despite surrendering just one of the six runs in the eighth inning. The other five runs were charged to freshman right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott, who surrendered three hits and two walks and hit a batter while recording just two outs. Junior left fielder Chad Wright was 2-4 with one RBI and freshman designated hitter Paul McConkey was 1-2 with two walks and two runs scored. Freshman right-handed pitcher Jonathan Paquet surrendered two runs on four hits in four innings while striking out five batters and walking three. (Box Score)
  • Murray State University‘s game versus Belmont was postponed due to wet field conditions and will be made up as part of a double-header in Nashville on May 3.
  • Morehead State University continued its poor start to the 2011 season with a 12-2 loss to Lipscomb Wednesday. Eagles redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Josh Schneider took the loss after surrendering seven runs on 11 hits in three and one-third innings while striking out one batter and walking none. Junior right fielder Luke Bainer was the only Morehead St. batter with multiple hits and finished the game 2-3 with one walk and one run scored. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: SS Logan Robbins (WKU)

  • Stats: 3-5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 R
  • Honorable Mention: Casey Dykes (WKU), Ivan Hartle (WKU), Chad Wright (UK), Paul McConkey (UK), Luke Bainer (Morehead St.)

Pitcher of the day: Jonathan Paquet (UK)

  • Stats: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Alex Phillips (UK), Brian Edelen (WKU), Justin Hageman (WKU)

A ten-spot from UK baseball media day

College Baseball

Cliff Hagan Stadium outfield; UK photo

The University of Kentucky hosted its annual baseball media day this afternoon. There was not any major breaking news at the event, but it was the first chance to talk with juniors Alex Meyer, Chad Wright and Braden Kapteyn and senior Taylor Black as well as head coach Gary Henderson this season. I’ve included 10 notes from the event below:

  • Henderson said the second base job is wide open but later admitted he would lean toward playing the strongest defensive player. While outlining the second base candidates, he made a point to emphasize freshman Matt Reida‘s defensive ability, so that probably offers a little glimpse at Henderson’s current thinking.
  • Senior shortstop Taylor Black said he seriously considered signing with the St. Louis Cardinals after being drafted in 2010. “In the end I though it was best for me to come back to the Cliff for my degree and another year,” he told BluGrass Baseball. Black is the only 2010 Cat who was drafted that elected to return to school.
  • Henderson said if the season started today junior everything man Braden Kapteyn would be the starting first baseman, but noted “somebody has to be able to play there when he’s pitching.” For now it looks like either Luke Maile or Michael Williams will be the backup first baseman when the other is catching.
  • While Reida may have a leg up in the second base battle, Henderson said freshman infielder J. T. Riddle was “kind of forcing our hand offensively.” Henderson noted Riddle keeps hitting line drives in the intrasquad games and eventually they will need to find a spot for him in the lineup if he keeps performing. Henderson even suggested Riddle might get a look at first base.
  • There was lots of talk about the new NCAA mandated bats. Each of the four players suggested that bats might even out some of the major losses on the UK offense. Henderson said he thought the complaining some other SEC coaches had done about the bats was overblown.
  • Alex Meyer confirmed a recent media report that he’s been working on a changeup this offseason. Henderson said the changeup would be especially useful the third time through the lineup when batters began to adapt to Meyer’s other two pitches.
  • Each of the three juniors spoke on the need for their class to step into the leadership roles vacated by the numerous upperclassmen who moved on to professional ball from the 2010 team.  “I feel like we have a lot of experience,” outfielder Chad Wright said of the junior class. “Coming in almost all of us have played quite a bit. With the experience we’ll be able to contribute a lot to the team.”
  • I asked Meyer about his adjustment to throwing to new catchers after mainstay Marcus Nidiffer‘s graduation, and he said Nidiffer would be missed but was confident he would quickly adjust to Maile and Williams.
  • Henderson said freshman Corey Littrell and junior Alex Phillips would be the midweek starting pitchers to begin the season. If either of them falters or an injury necessitates a change, freshmen Trevor Gott and Jonathan Paquet would be next in line for starts.
  • I asked each of the four players what this team needed to accomplish to consider the season a success. They each agreed on what that goal was, but Wright was most direct in his answer: “I definitely feel like it [the season] is not a success unless we make the postseason.”