Cole Sturgeon

NCAA Roundup: WKU evens series with win; EKU sweeps DH from Murray St.; UofL, UK lose; Morehead St. splits DH

College Baseball

Taylor Davis; Morehead St. photo

Recaps and highlights from Saturday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • Freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman posted a complete game to lead Western Kentucky University to a 6-2 win over Florida Atlantic. Hageman improved to 8-4 on the season after surrendering two runs on nine hits in nine innings while striking out four batters and walking one. Junior left fielder Jared Andreoli was 4-5 with two runs scored and one stolen base. Junior second baseman Ivan Hartle was 2-5 with one triple, one RBI and one run scored, and junior shortstop Logan Robbins was 2-4 with two RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • Vanderbilt scored six runs in the first inning to put the game out of reach early and send the University of Kentucky to a 10-3 loss. Freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell took the loss after surrendering seven runs on nine hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking three. Junior left fielder Chad Wright was 3-5 with two RBI and one run scored. UK loaded the bases on three walks in the ninth inning and plated two runs before senior shortstop Taylor Black flew out to center field to end the game. (Box Score)
  • The University of Louisville finally scored in its series versus Seton Hall but still could not avoid the series sweep after a 4-3 loss in game three. Freshman right-handed pitcher Cole Sturgeon took the loss after surrendering three runs on three hits in two innings. Senior catcher J. J. Ethel was 3-4 with one RBI, and junior shortstop Ryan Wright was 2-5 with one triple, one home run, two RBI and one run scored. Junior right-handed pitcher Travis Tingle pitched five scoreless innings in a start. (Box Score)
  • You can read the BluGrass Baseball recap of the doubleheader split between Eastern Kentucky University and Murray State University here.
  • Despite trailing 8-1 after three innings, Morehead State University rallied for a 10-9 win in game one of a doubleheader versus UT Martin. Junior right-handed pitcher Matthew Robertson earned the win after surrendering two runs on four hits in five innings of relief while striking out four batters and walking one. Junior catcher Taylor Davis was 3-4 with one home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Freshman third baseman Bud Morton was 2-4 with his first home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Josh Schneider pitched two scoreless innings for his first save. (Box Score)
  • In game two of its double-header Morehead St. suffered a 7-6 loss after UT Martin scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to end the game, which was scheduled to last seven innings. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Schneider took the loss after surrendering two runs on four hits in two innings while striking out three batters and walking none. Junior center fielder Andrew Deeds was 3-5 with two doubles, three RBI and one run scored, and junior right fielder Luke Bainer was 2-3 with one solo home run. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: C Taylor Davis (Morehead St.)
  • Stats: 4-8, 1 HR, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB
  • Honorable Mention: Jared Andreoli (WKU), Logan Robbins (WKU), Ryan Wright (UofL), J. J. Ethel (UofL), Chad Wright (UofL), Dustin Dunlop (EKU), A. J. Jamison (EKU), Cody Larson (Murray St.), Bud Morton (Morehead St.), Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.), Luke Bainer (Morehead St.)
Pitcher of the day: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)
  • Stats: 1-0, 9 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Travis Tingle (UofL), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Stephen Hefler (EKU), Tyler Beers (Murray St.), Matthew Robertson (Morehead St.)

NCAA roundup: Murray St. splits double-header; UofL loses

College Baseball

Ryan Wright; BluGrass Baseball photo

Recaps and highlights from Tuesday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville put the tying run on third base in the ninth inning but could not finish its comeback in a 4-3 loss to Eastern Michigan. Freshman right-handed pitcher Cole Sturgeon took the loss after surrendering three runs on three hits in two innings while striking out three batters and walking none. Junior shortstop Ryan Wright was 2-5 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored, and senior catcher J. J. Ethel was 3-4 with one RBI. Junior right-handed pitcher Travis Tingle made the start for UofL and surrendered four hits in five shutout innings while striking out three batters and walking none. (Box Score)
  • Murray State University rode an outstanding start from Junior left-handed pitcher Bryan Babin to a 7-0 win over Belmont. Babin improved to 3-2 win after surrendering five hits in six shutout innings while striking out two batters and walking two. Junior first baseman Cody Larson was 2-3 with three RBI and one walk, and senior center fielder Elliot Frey was 2-3 with two RBI and one walk. Junior second baseman Travis Isaak scored two runs in the game. (Box Score)
  • In game two of its double-header Belmont turned the table on Murray St. with a 3-0 shutout win of its own. Senior left-handed pitcher Derek Hayden took the loss after surrendering three runs on three hits in two and one-third innings. Murray St. tallied just five hits in the game with two of them going to senior right fielder Zach Noonan. Freshman right-handed pitcher Cameron Finch kept the Breds in the game with three scoreless innings of relief. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: SS Ryan Wright (UofL)
  • Stats: 2-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R
  • Honorable Mention: J. J. Ethel (UofL), Adam Engel (UofL), Cody Larson (Murray St.)
Pitcher of the day: LHP Bryan Babin (Murray St.)
  • Stats: 1-0, 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Travis Tingle (UofL), Cameron Finch (Murray St.)

NCAA roundup: WKU beats UK; UofL, EKU, Murray St. lose

College Baseball

Recaps and highlights from Tuesday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • You can read the recap of Western Kentucky University‘s 11-8 win over the University of Kentucky here.
  • The University of Louisville outhit Indiana 9-7 but still dropped its sixth consecutive game with a 5-3 loss. Freshman right-handed pitcher Chad Green took the loss after surrendering two runs on one hit in two and one-third innings. Junior infielder Ryan Wright and redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames were both 2-4. Freshman outfielder Cole Sturgeon and sophomore third baseman Cade Stallings tallied the only RBI for UofL. Freshman right-handed pitcher Jeff Thompson pitched three scoreless innings in the start. (Box Score)
  • Evansville scored seven runs in the first two innings to send Murray State University to an 8-3 loss. Freshman right-handed pitcher Tyler Saltsman took the loss after surrendering seven runs on seven hits in one-plus inning. Junior catcher Jacob Rhodes was 3-4 with two RBI, and freshman second baseman Wes Warren was 2-3. Junior first baseman Cody Larson slugged his second home run of the season. The Murray St. bullpen surrendered just one unearned run over the final eight innings. (Box Score)
  • Eastern Kentucky University snapped its four-game winning streak with a 4-2 loss to Marshall. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Anthony Bazzani took the loss after surrendering two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Junior right fielder Michael Garcia was 2-3 with one walk and one RBI and was the only Colonel with multiple hits in the game. Freshman right-handed pitcher Blake Bottoms surrendered three hits in three innings in his first collegiate start. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: C Matt Rice (WKU)
  • Stats: 4-5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4 R
  • Honorable Mention: Kes Carter (WKU), Logan Robbins (WKU), Ryan Wright (UofL), Stewart Ijames (UofL), Taylor Black (UK), Luke Maile (UK), Jacob Rhodes (Murray St.), Michael Garcia (EKU)
Pitcher of the day: RHP Jordan Cooper (UK)
  • Stats: 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Ross Hammonds (WKU), Jeff Thompson (UofL), Bryan Babin (Murray St.), Blake Bottoms (EKU)

NCAA roundup: UofL, UK lose; WKU suspended in 13th inn.

College Baseball

Alex Meyer; UK Athletics Photo

Recaps and highlights from Friday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville plated just two early runs and had a rare poor weekend start in an 8-2 loss to St. John’s. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Koch took the loss after surrendering eight runs, four of which were earned, on 11 hits in four innings while striking out three batters and walking two. Sophomore first baseman Zak Wasserman was 2-2 with one walk, and freshman center fielder Cole Sturgeon was 2-4 with one run scored. Freshman infielder Ty Young reached base three times, drove in one run and scored once. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University‘s series-opening game versus Arkansas St. was suspended in the top of the 13th inning with a 1-1 tie. The game had been previously delayed for 90 minutes due to rain. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Tanner Perkins pitched well in his start, surrendering one run on six hits in six and two-third innings while striking out five batters and walking three. WKU had just three hits through 12 innings. The game will resume at 3 p.m. Saturday, and game two of the series will begin 30 minutes after the end of game one. (Live Stats)
  • The University of Kentucky dropped its tenth consecutive Southeastern Conference game with a 3-2 loss to Mississippi. The Cats carried a 1-1 tie into the eighth inning, but Ole Miss scored two runs off junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer to take 3-1 lead. The Cats scored one run in the ninth inning and put the tying run on second base, but senior shortstop Taylor Black flew out to center field to end the game. Meyer took the loss after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, in seven-plus innings while striking out seven batters and walking three. Junior catcher Michael Williams was 3-4 with his fourth home run of the season. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: C Michael Williams (UK)
  • Stats: 3-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R
  • Honorable Mention: Zak Wasserman (UofL)
Pitcher of the day: LHP Tanner Perkins (WKU)
  • Stats: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Chad Green (UofL), Alex Meyer (UK)

NCAA roundup: UofL, WKU win; UK blows late lead in loss

College Baseball

Braden Kapteyn; Photo: UK Athletics

Recaps and highlights from Friday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville rode a quality start from sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Koch to a 7-4 win over Cincinnati in game one of a three-game series. Koch surrendered three runs on eight hits in seven innings while striking out seven batters and walking one. Freshman outfielder Cole Sturgeon was 2-4 with three runs scored in the leadoff hole, and freshman third baseman Ty Young drove in three runs. Junior right-handed pitcher Tony Zych pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his eighth save of the season. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University recorded a 5-1 win over Louisiana-Lafayette behind a complete-game effort from freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman. Senior catcher Matt Rice and junior center fielder Kes Carter were both 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored. Hageman surrendered one run on eight hits in nine innings while striking out 10 batters and walking one. Junior second baseman Ivan Hartle scored the Hilltoppers other run, and junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson, junior shortstop Logan Robbins and senior designated hitter Chris Bullard each tallied RBI. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky lost its seventh consecutive Southeastern Conference game with a 12-9 loss to Auburn. Auburn entered the eighth inning down one run but scored six runs in the frame to blow the game open. Redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Nick Kennedy took the loss after the only batter he faced reached base on a single and later scored the go-ahead run. Junior designated hitter Braden Kapteyn was 3-4 with one home run, four RBI and three runs scored. Freshman second baseman J. T. Riddle and sophomore catcher Luke Maile also slugged home runs in the game. Junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer surrendered six runs on 11 hits in six innings in a no decision. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: DH Braden Kapteyn (UK)

  • Stats: 3-4, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R
  • Honorable Mention: Matt Rice (WKU), Kes Carter (WKU), Cole Sturgeon (UofL), J. T. Riddle (UK), Luke Maile (UK)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)

  • Stats: 1-0, 9 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Matt Koch (UofL)

Sunday roundup: WKU finishes sweep; UK clinches series win; UofL, Morehead St. lose; Murray St., EKU swept

College Baseball

J. T. Riddle; BluGrass Baseball photo

Recaps and highlights from Sunday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville‘s offense continued to struggle in a 4-1 loss to Xavier that gave Musketeers the series win. UofL redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Mike Nastold took the loss after surrendering three runs on five hits in three and two-third innings while striking out three batters and walking three. Freshman center fielder Cole Sturgeon was 2-4 in the leadoff spot for the Cards, and redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames was 2-5 with one RBI. Junior right-handed reliever Derek Self kept UofL in the game by surrendering just one hit in four scoreless innings and striking out five batters while walking one. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University used a five-run fifth inning and a strong pitching performance from new weekend starting pitcher Brian Edelen to earn a 5-4 win and secure a series sweep of Middle Tennessee to begin Sun Belt Conference play. Redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Edelen earned the win after surrendering one unearned run in six innings while striking out three batters and walking none. Junior second baseman Ivan Hartle was 3-4 with three RBI, and junior left fielder Jared Andreoli was 2-4 with one RBI, one run scored and one stolen base. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky used a four-run first inning to jump out to an early lead en route to a 7-3 win over Tennessee to clinch the team’s first Southeastern Conference series of the season. Freshman right fielder J. T. Riddle slugged a three-run home run in the first inning, and junior first baseman Braden Kapteyn finished the game 2-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers earned the win after surrendering three runs on eight hits in five innings while striking out two batters and walking none. Senior designated hitter Mike Kaczmarek was 4-4 at the plate and recorded the final four outs of the game on the mound to earn his fourth save. (Box Score)
  • Murray State University scored 10 runs and tallied 13 hits but could not avoid a 14-10 loss that secured a series sweep for Georgia State. Junior left-handed pitcher Luke Shuemaker took the loss after surrendering seven runs, five of which were earned, on six hits in five innings. Six different Murray St. batters recorded two hits in the game, led by senior right fielder Zach Noonan, who was 2-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Junior second baseman Travis Isaak, freshman third baseman Wes Warren and senior center fielder Elliot Frey each tallied two hits and two RBI in the game. (Box Score)
  • Eastern Kentucky University‘s road woes continued with a 14-5 loss to Indiana St. that dropped the Colonels to 0-9 on the road this season. Senior right-handed pitcher Stephen Hefler took the loss after surrendering six runs, four of which were earned, on six hits in six innings. Junior shortstop Richie Rodriguez led the offense and finished the game 3-3 with two runs scored. Junior left fielder Jacob Daniel, senior center fielder Ryan Faidley and freshman catcher Sean Hagen each tallied two hits in the game. (Box Score)
  • Morehead State University sophomore left-handed pitcher Garrick Whittle made his first start since opening weekend but that wasn’t enough to prevent an 11-4 loss to Miami (OH). Whittle took the loss after surrendering seven runs on six hits in three and one-third innings. Senior first baseman Michael Fear was 2-4 with one RBI, and senior second baseman Travis Redmon was 2-5 with one run scored. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: RF J. T. Riddle (UK)

  • Stats: 1-2, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP
  • Honorable Mention: Cole Sturgeon (UofL), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Mike Kaczmarek (UK), Jared Andreoli (WKU), Ivan Hartle (WKU), Zach Noonan (Murray St.), Travis Isaak (Murray St.), Richie Rodriguez (EKU), Ryan Faidley (EKU), Michael Fear (Morehead St.)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Brian Edelen (WKU)

  • Stats: 1-0, 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Derek Self (UofL), Taylor Rogers (UK), Trevor Gott (UK)

Sunday roundup: UofL, UK win; Murray State sweeps DH; EKU, Morehead State drop tournament finales in Tenn.

College Baseball

Jordan Cooper; UK Athletics photo

Recaps and highlights from Sunday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • University of Louisville redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Mike Nastold earned his first win since 2009 in leading the Cards to a 1-0 victory over Kent State to finish off the three-game series sweep. Nastold surrendered just four hits in five shutout innings while striking out three batters and walking one. Junior right-handed pitcher Travis Tingle recorded the final out after entering the game with two men on base to earn his first save. UofL scored the only run of the game in the fourth inning when sophomore first baseman Zak Wasserman singled home sophomore designated hitter Kyle Grieshaber with two outs. Wasserman, sophomore third baseman Cade Stallings and freshman center fielder Cole Sturgeon tallied UofL’s three hits in the game. (Box Score)
  • Behind sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper the University of Kentucky ensured it would not leave the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park without a win after a 2-1 win over Utah on Sunday. Cooper, who turned in arguably his best start of his collegiate career, earned his first win of the season after surrendering one run on three hits in seven innings while striking out a career-high nine batters and walking three. Freshman right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott struck out four batters over the final two innings to earn his first collegiate save. The Cats scored the eventual winning run in the top of the eight inning after junior designated hitter Braden Kapteyn tripled with one out and later scored on a RBI-single from junior catcher Michael Williams with two outs. (Box Score)
  • Junior right-handed pitcher Tyler Beers earned his first win of the season as Murray State University scored six runs in the sixth inning in a 12-7 win over North Dakota St. Beers surrendered three runs, two of which were earned, on six hits in six and one-third innings while striking out two batters and walking two. Sophomore third baseman Paul Ritzheimer was 4-5 with three RBI and one run scored, and junior catcher Jacob Rhodes was 3-5 with one RBI and two runs scored. Senior center fielder Elliot Frey was 2-2 with two walks, one double, one RBI and two runs scored. (Box score)
  • In game two of its double-header Murray St. scored two runs in the third inning, which proved to be enough for a 2-1 win over North Dakota St. in a seven-inning game. Senior left-handed pitcher Jake Donze earned the win after surrendering one unearned run on five hits in seven innings while striking out six batters and walking one. At the plate Rhodes led the Breds with a 3-3, one run scored performance. Ritzheimer and redshirt freshman designated hitter Brandon Eggenschwiler tallied the two RBI for Murray St. (Box Score)
  • Eastern Kentucky University finish its two games in the Memphis College Classic winless with a 3-1 loss to Oral Roberts on Sunday. The Colonels wasted another strong start from senior right-handed pitcher Stephen Hefler, who surrendered three unearned runs on four hits in six and two-third innings while striking out four batters and walking two. At the plate sophomore second baseman Matt Phipps was the only Colonel with multiple hits and finished the game 2-4. Junior shortstop Richie Rodriguez scored EKU’s only run in the game. (Box Score)
  • Morehead State University finished the University of Tennessee tournament without a win with a 10-8 loss to the host school on Sunday. Freshman left-handed pitcher Noah Smallwood took the loss after surrendering nine runs on nine hits in four and two-third innings. At the plate junior third baseman Andrew Deeds was 3-4 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored to lead the Eagles.  PRP alum and Tennessee junior shortstop Zach Osborne was 2-4 with one RBI and two runs scored versus the Eagles. Morehead St. trailed 10-3 entering the ninth inning but scored five runs in the frame and put the tying run on base before junior right fielder Luke Bainer struck out to end the game. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: 3B Paul Ritzheimer (Murray St.)

  • Stats: 5-6, 4 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB
  • Honorable Mention: Jacob Rhodes (Murray St.), Elliot Frey (Murray St.), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Jordan Cooper (UK)

  • Stats: 1-0, 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Mike Nastold (UofL), Chad Green (UofL), Stephen Hefler (EKU), Trevor Gott (UK), Jake Donze (Murray St.), Tyler Beers (Murray St.), Cameron Finch (Murray St.)

Opening Weekend Review: University of Louisville

College Baseball

As the first weekend of the Kentucky college baseball season wraps up we’ll breakdown each of the six Kentucky Division I team’s opening weekend. We’ll start with the first team to finish its weekend schedule: The University of Louisville.

  • Pitching dominates: The Cards finished the weekend with a Big East/Big Ten Challenge-record 23 consecutive scoreless innings after shutouts on Saturday and Sunday. Redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung was outstanding Saturday, striking out four and allowing just four hits in seven and two-third scoreless innings. On Sunday four UofL pitchers, Mike Nastold, Chad Green, Jeff Gardner and Gabriel Shaw, combined on a three-hit shutout of Big Ten-favorite Minnesota. Juniors Derek Self and Tony Zych held Michigan scoreless over the last five innings in UofL’s friday game, meaning the only UofL pitcher to surrender a run on the weekend was sophomore Matt Koch, who surrendered three runs in five innings pitched.
  • Zych proves his worth: UofL preseason All-American closer Tony Zych saved each of the Cards’ first two wins with scoreless ninth innings. Zych struck out four batters and just surrendered two hits in two innings of work. With Zych unavailable out of UofL bullpen on Tuesday, senior right-handed reliever Gabriel Shaw pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his first save of the season. If Zych and Shaw keep up their pitching performances from the first weekend they should present the Cards with one of the best bullpen combos in the country.
  • Freshmen contribute in debuts: At the plate six UofL freshmen combined to go 6-37 (.161.) during the Big East/Big Ten Challenge, but if you remove the stats of freshman center fielder Adam Engel and shortstop Alex Chittenden the other four freshmen combined to go 5-17 (.294) with two runs scored and three RBI. Freshmen Ryan Seiz, Ty Young, Cole Sturgeon and Kyle Gibson each tallied at least one hit in the series. On the mound freshmen reliever Chad Green and Jeff Thompson combined to throw five scoreless innings with three strikeouts and no walks.

UofL opens season with 6-3 win over Michigan

College Baseball

The University of Louisville opened its quest for a third-straight Big East Conference championship on the right foot with a 6-3 win over Michigan in the 2011 season opener. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Koch earned the win after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, on four hits in five innings pitched. Koch struck out a career-high eight batters and walked just one. Junior right-handed pitcher Derek Self pitched three scoreless innings out of the pen, and junior preseason All-American Tony Zych pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his first save of the season.

At the plate senior right fielder Drew Haynes was 3-3 with one RBI and two runs scored. Junior second baseman Ryan Wright, a preseason All-American, was 2-4 with two doubles, one RBI and one run scored. Sophomore first baseman Zak Wasserman and senior catcher J. J. Ethel were each 2-4 in the game. The Cards started three freshmen: center fielder Adam Engel, designated hitter Ryan Seiz and shortstop Alex Chittenden. Both Engel and Seiz tallied hits in their collegiate debuts. Freshman left fielder Cole Sturgeon also recorded his first collegiate hit in a pinch-hitting appearance. (Box Score)

BluGrass Baseball player of the game: Drew Haynes — 3-3, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 2B

Offseason position battle: UofL outfielder

College Baseball

In the sixth University of Louisville post in the “offseason position battle” series we will look at the vacant outfield position.

The departed — Texas Rangers draftee Josh Richmond, a 2010 junior, missed most of last season with a wrist injury but batted .262 with one home run, 10 RBI and 17 runs scored in 23 games for the Cards. Richmond, an outfielder who started in each of his 23 appearances, was the Rangers 12th round pick in the 2010 draft…Tampa Bay Rays draftee Phil Wunderlich, a 2010 junior, started five games in left field last season…First baseman and outfielder Mike Morrison, a 2010 sophomore, and outfielder Drew Fitzpatrick, a 2010 freshman, started 12 games in the outfield for the Cards last season but neither is listed on the 2011 UofL roster

Returning candidates — Outfield stalwarts senior Drew Haynes and redshirt junior Stewart Ijames return to UofL after starting 64 and 63 games respectively for the Cards in 2010. Haynes batted .291 with 15 stolen bases and served as the primary center fielder until Richmond returned from injury late in the season. Ijames, the 29th round pick of the New York Yankees, batted .324 with 14 home runs, 63 RBI and 64 runs scored in 2010…Sophomore utility man Kyle Grieshaber started 23 games in left field for the Cards in 2010 while serving as Richmond’s primary replacement during his injury. Grieshaber batted .239 with one home run, 15 RBI and 24 runs scored in 53 games last season, but he is the leading candidate for the vacant third base position, after starting each of the five Fall Pizza Bowl Series games there…Sophomore outfielder Jarred Clarkson started two games in left field in 2010 but was just 2-16 in 28 games for the Cards last year.

Newcomers to watch — Freshman Cody Edge started each of the five Pizza Bowl Series games in left field, going 4-12 with two runs scored, two RBI and a walk. Edge will also likely pitch for the Cards in 2011. The two-way player was a three-time all-state selection at Cherokee Washington High School in Iowa and batted .456 with nine home runs, 34 RBI and 32 runs scored as a senior…Freshman outfielder and left-handed pitcher Cole Sturgeon started each of the five Pizza Bowl Series games in centerfield and finished the series 7-17 with two runs scored, five RBI and two walks. Sturgeon was named first-team all state by the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association as a senior at Owensboro Catholic High School.

Wildcard — Freshman infielders Ryan Seiz and Adam Engel both have the ability to play outfield but started each Pizza Bowl Series game at third base and second base respectively. Each of those positions is likely to be manned by a veteran when the Cards begin the 2011 season so head coach Dan McDonnell could elect to player either newcomer in the outfield to get some playing time. The vacant outfield position will also be heavily effect by the corner infield battles as McDonnell is likely to make sure sophomores Grieshaber, Zak Wasserman and Cade Stallings are each in the lineup in some combination at first base, third base, outfield and designated hitter.