We are just under 3 weeks away from Baseball getting kicked off and I personally am a huge college baseball fan. I figured I'd get a thread going for everyone to start talking about what they have coming into their program, whats.

As I glanced throughout the conference, I was interested to find that every team involved with the SBC (in the conference, leaving the conference, and joining the conference) that every team plays a home for the first weekend of the baseball season. As I've found this is our first slate of games.

The Stay-puts
UL vs CMU
ULM vs Wake Forest
USA vs SFA
UALR vs Evansville
WKU vs BGSU
Troy vs FA&M
ASU vs Bradley

The Departed
MT vs Ball State
FIU vs Stony Brook
FAU vs Cincinnati

The Future
Tx State vs Missouri State
UTA vs La Tech
GSU vs Butler

From a pure opponent standpoint, I'm very interested in the FIU/Stony Brook game because of their improbable run to Omaha last season, it'll be a good first test. Really honestly, the majority of our conference should start the season on a winning note which will be good for our RPI after our severely down year last season. Continuing the baseball talk what is the outlook for everyone's teams, and what players should everyone specifically look out for.

(01-27-2013 07:26 PM)Tuffguy21 Wrote:  We are just under 3 weeks away from Baseball getting kicked off and I personally am a huge college baseball fan. I figured I'd get a thread going for everyone to start talking about what they have coming into their program, whats.

As I glanced throughout the conference, I was interested to find that every team involved with the SBC (in the conference, leaving the conference, and joining the conference) that every team plays a home for the first weekend of the baseball season. As I've found this is our first slate of games.

The Stay-puts
UL vs CMU
ULM vs Wake Forest
USA vs SFA
UALR vs Evansville
WKU vs BGSU
Troy vs FA&M

The Departed
MT vs Kansas
FIU vs Stony Brook
FAU vs Cincinnati

The Future
Tx State vs Missouri State
UTA vs La Tech
GSU vs Butler

From a pure opponent standpoint, I'm very interested in the FIU/Stony Brook game because of their improbable run to Omaha last season, it'll be a good first test. Really honestly, the majority of our conference should start the season on a winning note which will be good for our RPI after our severely down year last season. Continuing the baseball talk what is the outlook for everyone's teams, and what players should everyone specifically look out for.

ASU drop out of the league already? I didnt even know we had been invited somewhere.

We host Bradley week 1. We've got a crazy schedule this year: Games against Vandy, Missouri, Tennessee and Ole Miss during the midweek, and weekend series against UAB and Sam Houston State.

(01-27-2013 08:14 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(01-27-2013 07:26 PM)Tuffguy21 Wrote:  We are just under 3 weeks away from Baseball getting kicked off and I personally am a huge college baseball fan. I figured I'd get a thread going for everyone to start talking about what they have coming into their program, whats.

As I glanced throughout the conference, I was interested to find that every team involved with the SBC (in the conference, leaving the conference, and joining the conference) that every team plays a home for the first weekend of the baseball season. As I've found this is our first slate of games.

The Stay-puts
UL vs CMU
ULM vs Wake Forest
USA vs SFA
UALR vs Evansville
WKU vs BGSU
Troy vs FA&M

The Departed
MT vs Kansas
FIU vs Stony Brook
FAU vs Cincinnati

The Future
Tx State vs Missouri State
UTA vs La Tech
GSU vs Butler

From a pure opponent standpoint, I'm very interested in the FIU/Stony Brook game because of their improbable run to Omaha last season, it'll be a good first test. Really honestly, the majority of our conference should start the season on a winning note which will be good for our RPI after our severely down year last season. Continuing the baseball talk what is the outlook for everyone's teams, and what players should everyone specifically look out for.

ASU drop out of the league already? I didnt even know we had been invited somewhere.

We host Bradley week 1. We've got a crazy schedule this year: Games against Vandy, Missouri, Tennessee and Ole Miss during the midweek, and weekend series against UAB and Sam Houston State.

Holy crap, I can't believe I didn't write them in too. I had it written down when I went look through all the conference teams schedules but yea, yall host Bradley, again, I think a really winnable opener. I like Raffo a lot as a head coach and I think stAte is gonna have a good year this year with his first year of all his players.

The rest of the league will be pleased to know that Michael Faulkner and Jacob Lee have taken their talents to Minor League Baseball. Unfortunately for everyone else though, virtually the rest of our SBC Regular Season and Tourney runner up team from last year is back.

(01-27-2013 08:18 PM)Tuffguy21 Wrote:  

(01-27-2013 08:14 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(01-27-2013 07:26 PM)Tuffguy21 Wrote:  We are just under 3 weeks away from Baseball getting kicked off and I personally am a huge college baseball fan. I figured I'd get a thread going for everyone to start talking about what they have coming into their program, whats.

As I glanced throughout the conference, I was interested to find that every team involved with the SBC (in the conference, leaving the conference, and joining the conference) that every team plays a home for the first weekend of the baseball season. As I've found this is our first slate of games.

The Stay-puts
UL vs CMU
ULM vs Wake Forest
USA vs SFA
UALR vs Evansville
WKU vs BGSU
Troy vs FA&M

The Departed
MT vs Kansas
FIU vs Stony Brook
FAU vs Cincinnati

The Future
Tx State vs Missouri State
UTA vs La Tech
GSU vs Butler

From a pure opponent standpoint, I'm very interested in the FIU/Stony Brook game because of their improbable run to Omaha last season, it'll be a good first test. Really honestly, the majority of our conference should start the season on a winning note which will be good for our RPI after our severely down year last season. Continuing the baseball talk what is the outlook for everyone's teams, and what players should everyone specifically look out for.

ASU drop out of the league already? I didnt even know we had been invited somewhere.

We host Bradley week 1. We've got a crazy schedule this year: Games against Vandy, Missouri, Tennessee and Ole Miss during the midweek, and weekend series against UAB and Sam Houston State.

Holy crap, I can't believe I didn't write them in too. I had it written down when I went look through all the conference teams schedules but yea, yall host Bradley, again, I think a really winnable opener. I like Raffo a lot as a head coach and I think stAte is gonna have a good year this year with his first year of all his players.

Raffo had virtunally his entire team last year as well. Losing Faulkner will be tough. Outfield may be a weakness untill we find a replacement for him.

I'm a big baseball fan too, and am counting the days. Can't wait to see what Coach Calvi can do in his first year as head coach.

I believe MTSU opens with Ball State.

MT should be stacked and packed this year-- mostly seniors.

But it all comes down to pitching, and can that pitching stay healthy ?

One of our starters got drafted, but came back.

Another is out for the year and has had Tommy John's surgery.

Our ace should be sophomore Jonathan Frebis (the kid who rocks before he pitches).

All-Conf 3B Hank LaRue had a shoulder injury and may play some first base for a while, if not the entire season.

New name to look out for -- Jake Ellison in RF or 1B. Florida tried to sign him but we were able to give him more $$$.

If we struggle this season, we are really going to be hurting next year.

We really need to get better hitting from our catchers-- been pathetic the last coupla years.

This is the first year for new coach but longtime assistant Jim "Magz" McGuire.

(01-27-2013 08:24 PM)HCJag Wrote:  I'm a big baseball fan too, and am counting the days. Can't wait to see what Coach Calvi can do in his first year as head coach.

I believe MTSU opens with Ball State.

Correct.

Finally a sport Worth watching at Troy.

I had almost forgotten about that crazy MTSU/ASU drama from last August when MTSU's AD ticked off a bunch of his players and our fans by trying to hire Raffo, and then had to go back to McGuire after we gave Raffo a huge raise to keep him.

It was a huge moment in ASU baseball history, as we finally made an administration investment in a non money sport.

(01-27-2013 08:24 PM)HCJag Wrote:  I'm a big baseball fan too, and am counting the days. Can't wait to see what Coach Calvi can do in his first year as head coach.

That was last year.

(01-27-2013 08:24 PM)HCJag Wrote:  I'm a big baseball fan too, and am counting the days. Can't wait to see what Coach Calvi can do in his first year as head coach.

I believe MTSU opens with Ball State.

You are correct, I accidentally loaded last years schedule for MT.

(01-27-2013 08:34 PM)USACoN2012 Wrote:  

(01-27-2013 08:24 PM)HCJag Wrote:  I'm a big baseball fan too, and am counting the days. Can't wait to see what Coach Calvi can do in his first year as head coach.

That was last year.

I thought so, but I didn't want to argue because I wasn't sure. I remember yall started slow as heck and then picked it up towards the end of the year. I think he'll be good, but has to pick it up to meet the standards put in place by kittrell.

Anyone know why the baseball schedule has so many repeat trips this year. ASU has to play at both Troy and ULL for the 2nd consecutive year, while we host USA and WKU for the 2nd consecutive year. Is it just to set up next year when we pick up Texas State, Georgia State, and UTA to the league?

Not that I am complaining about playing at Tigue Moore, I heard we were petitioning the state of Louisiana to rename it Tomlinson South after last year.

Lol, after basketball season ends, I'm done with Collegiate Sports until football season. Now, if hockey were in our region and played this late, that would be another story.

Sun Belt needs hockey.

Troy is supposed to have a pretty good team this year. I'm curious who will be voted preseason favorite to win the SBC.

Chiefsfan, not to worry, TXST will be playing @ UTA for the 3rd year in a row becuase of conference changes and moves. It best not turn into 4.

We have been pretty competitive and solid since Harrington took the helm in 2000. Have won the SLC 3 of the last 4 years and been to Regionals in similar fashion.

We have had a rash of draft picks (for us) the past few seasons and last year was no exception. Although, I do feel what we lost in 2012 is by far the biggest hit we have taken lately.

We will have a young pitching staff and need to replace our top 2 power hitters; along with our 2B who played all 4 years, was an All American and left with 8 offensive career marks to his name.
The draft also left us bereft of our Fri & Sat starters and 2 best closers. (one of the power hitters was RF and LH relief)

I haven't had a chance to see any of the fall practices/games nor any spring practice so I'll have to wait until I see the product before I really know who/what we have but I am told we shouldn't be that down from previous seasons.

Our OOC has been top 15 the past 3 years and I imagine it will not change much this year.
OOC games include:
UT, TA&M, Baylor, Houston, Rice, TTech, TCU, Oregon, Oregon St and SHSU.

We had set up a series with Oklahoma but they backed out.

(01-27-2013 08:29 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  I had almost forgotten about that crazy MTSU/ASU drama from last August when MTSU's AD ticked off a bunch of his players and our fans by trying to hire Raffo, and then had to go back to McGuire after we gave Raffo a huge raise to keep him.

It was a huge moment in ASU baseball history, as we finally made an administration investment in a non money sport.

One of those situations that I actually think works out better for both programs. The AD wanted to leave his own mark on the program rather than hiring from within and it almost bit him.

Coach McGuire is one of the best baseball minds in the game, and he's the man behind the recruiting of the numerous All-Americans and pro-players including a couple of first rounders. He'll coach with a different style than Pete did, and he can get us to the CWS. I think we'll make a run like the Cajuns did within the next few years.

The Jags should be improved.


The Jaguars return 19 letterwinners, including 15 seniors, from last year’s squad that led the Sun Belt Conference in batting average (.306), slugging percentage (.452), on-base percentage (.389), runs scored (205), RBI (184), total bases (474), and tied for most hits (321) in league contests.

USA will bring back eight position starters including 2012 all-SBC honorees Whitt Dorsey (1st team, DH) and Jordan Patterson (2nd team, OF). Dorsey led South Alabama with a .337 batting average last year, while Patterson ranked second on the team at .323.

Logan Kirkland, a 2011 Freshman All-American and 2012 preseason all-SBC selection, also returns after redshirting the 2012 season.

Nolan Earley hit .318 with 14 doubles, six home runs and 35 RBI last season, and returns for his senior season in the outfield along with Nick Zaharion who batted .285 with seven homers and 44 RBI a year ago. Jeff DeBlieux also returns to the Jaguar outfield after redshirting in 2012. As a junior in 2011, DeBlieux batted .314 with seven doubles, two triples, 25 RBI and nine stolen bases in 51 games.

On the mound, USA returns nine pitchers including 2012 second-team all-SBC selection Jarron Cito, along with Kyle Bartsch who recorded 10 saves in 25 appearances last year. Anthony Izzio, the team leader in ERA last season at 3.04, returns for his senior campaign along with left-hander Andrew Fonzi and right-handers Payton Gardner and Jaime Dennis,

South Alabama welcomes 16 newcomers to the roster, 10 of which are pitchers.

(01-28-2013 09:57 AM)GEAGLESJAG Wrote:  The Jags should be improved.


The Jaguars return 19 letterwinners, including 15 seniors, from last year’s squad that led the Sun Belt Conference in batting average (.306), slugging percentage (.452), on-base percentage (.389), runs scored (205), RBI (184), total bases (474), and tied for most hits (321) in league contests.

USA will bring back eight position starters including 2012 all-SBC honorees Whitt Dorsey (1st team, DH) and Jordan Patterson (2nd team, OF). Dorsey led South Alabama with a .337 batting average last year, while Patterson ranked second on the team at .323.

Logan Kirkland, a 2011 Freshman All-American and 2012 preseason all-SBC selection, also returns after redshirting the 2012 season.

Nolan Earley hit .318 with 14 doubles, six home runs and 35 RBI last season, and returns for his senior season in the outfield along with Nick Zaharion who batted .285 with seven homers and 44 RBI a year ago. Jeff DeBlieux also returns to the Jaguar outfield after redshirting in 2012. As a junior in 2011, DeBlieux batted .314 with seven doubles, two triples, 25 RBI and nine stolen bases in 51 games.

On the mound, USA returns nine pitchers including 2012 second-team all-SBC selection Jarron Cito, along with Kyle Bartsch who recorded 10 saves in 25 appearances last year. Anthony Izzio, the team leader in ERA last season at 3.04, returns for his senior campaign along with left-hander Andrew Fonzi and right-handers Payton Gardner and Jaime Dennis,

South Alabama welcomes 16 newcomers to the roster, 10 of which are pitchers.

I feel good about ULM's team coming off the conference tourney championship, but don't know enough to give a good evaluation. I'll leave that to one of our more knowledgable baseball guys. I also couldn't come close to giving a preseason ranking or even guessing who will be preseason favorite. Overall my post is worthless and I have no idea why I wasted my time typing it on the iPad or your time reading it. I do like college baseball though! .