UNIVERSITY BASEBALL 2008 A-SUN REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONS
2009 SEASON PREVIEW
head coach Dave Tollett. “We will be able to pitch and The Eagles became the third team in A-Sun history to that will be our strength in the upcoming year. We lost win a regular-season championship in their first year in the league and the first to win the title in the onesome power but will make it up in speed. This is easily division alignment. At 25-8, the Eagles established the the most challenging schedule that we have ever faced. Wichita State, Florida, Florida State and Miami are all record for the most conference wins by a program great programs that have a chance to make it to Omaha in their first year in the A-Sun, breaking the record every year. We are trying to bring high quality baseball set in 1999 when Jacksonville finished its first year at 22-8. Even without A-Sun Pitcher of the Year Richard programs to Southwest Florida and this schedule has Bleier and A-Sun Player of the Year Jason Peacock, the done that.” Eagles return four players who earned A-Sun honors, “Our rotation will be strong, and we have great depth Pete Woodworth Second Team All-Atlantic Sun, and on the mound this season. If we stay healthy, I believe three Atlantic Sun All-Freshman nominees Mikel Alvarez, Richie Erath and Chris Sale. The 2009 Eagle we will be in the running for another A-Sun regular season title.” baseball team will have a different look after losing 2009 OFFENSIVE ANALYSIS eight seniors and two junior arms to the draft. Don’t The big question in 2009 will be the Eagles offense. let those numbers fool you. The Eagles are young but The Eagles lost 37 out of a total 43 homeruns from very talented. “We will be a young, but talented team in 2009,” said last year’s squad, and two of their top hitters in Jason Peacock (.434/9/53) and Ozzie Borrell (.353/7/54). The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles returned four your starter and leadoff hitter Josh Upchurch (.325/2/23) for his senior year. Upchurch, the Eagles career leader in steals will be the catalyst for this year’s team. He will receive help from Mikel Alvarez (.346/2/35). Alvarez is coming LEFT FIELD Josh Chester off one of the best years in school history Joe Guarnaccia as a freshman. Alvarez is listed on Wallace watch list. At shortstop, Stephen Wickens (.251/1/22) will be the guy. Wickens and Alvarez were an unbelievable middle combination CENTER FIELD Joe Guarnaccia for the Eagles in 2008. They Josh Upchurch give the Eagles a solid, combination and throw in Upchurch in the middle SHORTSTOP Evan Rainford and the Eagles are very Stephen Wickens sound. Tim Roberson 3rd BASE Tim Roberson will be over at third; Brad Roberts RHP Roberson had an Jacob Barnes impressive 2nd BASE Greg Belden Mikel Alvarez summer in the Craig Crumbly LHP RIGHT FIELD Northwoods League. Eric Krznaric Trent Landa CJ Evans Bobbie Barrie Patrick Nathanson Shane Effertz Junior college transfer Josh Chester Chris Sale Richie Erath Josh Chester will add Ryan Horton 1st BASE an offensive spark to Tim Kiley Zach Maxfield the 2009 Eagles. Derek Shaw Kurtis Mullaney Other new birds CJ Stallings CATCHER Nick Ursitti that look to make an Robert Greene Pete Woodworth Tim Roberson impact for the Eagles Michael Sylvestri * This chart is not intended as a depth chart, it depicts are Zach Maxfield, who will play at each position 2009 BASEBALL MEDIA GUIDE
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