Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/26/east-carolina-suspends-head-coach-billy-godwin/
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
East Carolina Suspends Head Coach Billy Godwin
NCAA Violation Leads To Two Week Ban… GREENVILLE, N.C - East Carolina University Director of Athletics Terry Holland announced that Pirate head baseball coach Billy Godwin�will serve a two-week suspension without pay as a department-imposed corrective action for a self-reported NCAA violation that involved impermissible housing benefits for volunteer coaches. Godwin’s suspension will prohibit the seventh-year skipper from performing any coaching, recruiting or administrative duties from Feb. 1 to Feb. 14. He will also be issued a formal letter of reprimand from Holland for his involvement in the infraction. “The extra benefits violations have created a serious situation for our athletic department, but it should be acknowledged that the extra benefits began before Coach Godwin arrived at East Carolina University,” Holland said. “Coach Godwin has been highly cooperative and actively involved in uncovering the history of the extra benefits as well as supportive of all the corrective actions and penalties.” After a five-month investigation, ECU Office of Athletics Compliance officials discovered that beginning in the fall 2004, one year before Godwin’s appointment as head baseball coach, and ending in 2011, four volunteer coaches received impermissible housing benefits. The NCAA’s interpretation of a volunteer coach for sports other than football and [...]
Knight Calls Paterno His 'Hero,' Blasts Media and Penn State Trustees
Well, we know this much: Phil Knight still has Joe Paterno's back.
A lot of people--prominent people--turned their backs on Paterno when the coach was fired in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal.
...Thousands Line Streets to Honor Paterno
Penn State on Wednesday entered the second day of remembrances and good-byes to their longtime coach, and longtime legend, Joe Paterno.
A day after Paterno's public viewing drew hundreds if not thousands to Penn State's campus, the Paterno family prepared to bury the man who did more than any other to put Penn State football--and Penn State University--on the map.
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2012/01/25/thousands-line-streets-to-honor-paterno.htm
Rice Tabbed For 2012 C-USA Baseball Title
Preseason All-Conference Team Named As Well… Conference USA announced its 2012 preseason baseball awards, as chosen by the league’s nine head coaches. UCF junior utility player D.J. Hicks was chosen as the preseason Player of the Year, while Rice sophomore left-hander Austin Kubitza was named the preseason Pitcher of the Year. Rice was chosen to win the league’s championship. The Owls have won either the regular season or tournament championship in each of its first six years as a member of C-USA. Hicks was a third team NCBWA All-American, a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and a second team All-Conference USA selection in 2011. As a redshirt sophomore last season, he led C-USA in RBI (66) and topped the Knights in batting (.351), placing fifth in the conference. Hicks ranked second in the conference in slugging percentage (.583), second on UCF in home runs (14) and walks (35), while adding 11 doubles and scoring 42 runs. He earned NCBWA National Hitter of the Week honors April 26 and had a pair of hitting streaks of 10 games or longer last season. Kubitza headlined an outstanding group of freshmen at Rice, earning the league’s Freshman of the Year honor last [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/26/rice-tabbed-for-2012-c-usa-baseball-title/
Monday, January 30, 2012
Big West Baseball 2012 Preseason Poll
Fullerton Tabbed By Coaches As Early Favorite… The Cal State Fullerton Titans were selected as the favorite to capture the 2012 Big West Conference title according to the 2012 Big West Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll after receiving six of the nine first-place votes and totaling 76 points. Picking up three first-place votes was UC Irvine, who was selected second with 70 points. Rounding out the top three after collecting 58 points were the 49ers of Long Beach State. Last season Cal State Fullerton claimed its 25th Big West Conference championship and ninth in the last 13 years after posting a 19-5 mark. Earning the league’s automatic bid, the Titans made their 20th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, 33rd overall. Entering his first season as head coach of the Titans, Rick Vanderhook will guide a team that welcomes back 16 letterwinners, six of which are starting position players. Unfortunately the Titans lost all their starting pitchers in the offseason, which included All-Americans Nick Ramirez and Noe Ramirez, so they will rely on a young and inexperienced pitching squad. Dylan Floro (Jr. RHP, Merced, Calif.), one of just two returning pitchers from 2011, will lead the charge as the Friday-night starter. [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/25/big-west-baseball-2012-preseason-poll/
USA Today/ESPN 2012 College Baseball Preseason Poll
Florida Tops The Coaches’ Poll… Florida is the number one team in the USA Today/ESPN College Baseball 2012 Preseason Poll. The coaches’ poll is the third preseason ranking to be released to date, and Florida has topped all three (Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America are the other two. Two-time defending national champion South Carolina is second, followed by Stanford, North Carolina and Texas in the top five. Texas A&M, Rice, Arkansas, Florida State, and Georgia Tech round out the preseason top 10. Stanford is the only school among the top six in the poll that did not reach the 2011 College World Series. Six SEC and ACC teams are in the top 25, the Pac-12 has five. College Baseball 360 will release our 2012 Preseason Top 50 Composite Poll in the coming weeks. Jan 26, 2012 1. Florida 2. South Carolina 3. Stanford 4. North Carolina 5. Texas 6. Texas A&M 7. Rice 8. Arkansas 9. Florida State 10. Georgia Tech 11. TCU 12. Vanderbilt 13. Miami (Fla) 14. LSU 15. Oklahoma 16. Cal State Fullerton 17. Virginia 18. UCLA 19. Oregon State 20. Arizona 21. St. John’s 22. California 23. Clemson 24. Louisville 25. Georgia Others receiving votes: UC-Irvine [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/26/usa-todayespn-2012-college-baseball-preseason-poll/
James Madison Picked For 2012 CAA Baseball Crown
Coaches Tab Dukes To Repeat… RICHMOND, Va.? James Madison, which captured the CAA baseball championship for the second time in four years last season, has been picked to win the conference title again in 2012 according to a vote of the CAA?s head baseball coaches. The Dukes received five first-place votes and finished atop the poll with 94 points. UNC-Wilmington garnered two first-place votes and was close behind in second with 88 points. Old Dominion got two first-place tallies and was chosen third with 76 points and Georgia State also got two first-place votes and was fourth with 74 points. VCU placed fifth in the voting, followed by George Mason, Delaware and William & Mary (tied for 7th), Towson, Hofstra and Northeastern. JMU returns five everyday starters from a 42-19 squad that finished atop the CAA regular-season standings for the second year in a row with a 21-9 mark. Leading the list of returnees is junior outfielder Johnny Bladel (.360, 4 HR, 41 RBI, 26 SB), who earned 2nd team All-CAA honors and was chosen as the Most Outstanding Player at the CAA Baseball Championship. Also back is 3rd-team All-CAA infielder/pitcher Ty McFarland (.278, 2 HR, 36 RBI) and junior [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/27/james-madison-picked-for-2012-caa-baseball-crown/
Paterno: 'I Never Had to Deal With Anything Like That.'
Joe Paterno has broken his silence.
The longtime Penn State coach had remained mostly mum since his dismissal in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal, but late this week, Paterno finally opened up, granting a lengthy two-day interview to acclaimed Washington Post reporter Sally Jenkins.
...Sunday, January 29, 2012
Rice Tabbed For 2012 C-USA Baseball Title
Preseason All-Conference Team Named As Well… Conference USA announced its 2012 preseason baseball awards, as chosen by the league’s nine head coaches. UCF junior utility player D.J. Hicks was chosen as the preseason Player of the Year, while Rice sophomore left-hander Austin Kubitza was named the preseason Pitcher of the Year. Rice was chosen to win the league’s championship. The Owls have won either the regular season or tournament championship in each of its first six years as a member of C-USA. Hicks was a third team NCBWA All-American, a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and a second team All-Conference USA selection in 2011. As a redshirt sophomore last season, he led C-USA in RBI (66) and topped the Knights in batting (.351), placing fifth in the conference. Hicks ranked second in the conference in slugging percentage (.583), second on UCF in home runs (14) and walks (35), while adding 11 doubles and scoring 42 runs. He earned NCBWA National Hitter of the Week honors April 26 and had a pair of hitting streaks of 10 games or longer last season. Kubitza headlined an outstanding group of freshmen at Rice, earning the league’s Freshman of the Year honor last [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/26/rice-tabbed-for-2012-c-usa-baseball-title/
Rice Tabbed For 2012 C-USA Baseball Title
Preseason All-Conference Team Named As Well… Conference USA announced its 2012 preseason baseball awards, as chosen by the league’s nine head coaches. UCF junior utility player D.J. Hicks was chosen as the preseason Player of the Year, while Rice sophomore left-hander Austin Kubitza was named the preseason Pitcher of the Year. Rice was chosen to win the league’s championship. The Owls have won either the regular season or tournament championship in each of its first six years as a member of C-USA. Hicks was a third team NCBWA All-American, a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and a second team All-Conference USA selection in 2011. As a redshirt sophomore last season, he led C-USA in RBI (66) and topped the Knights in batting (.351), placing fifth in the conference. Hicks ranked second in the conference in slugging percentage (.583), second on UCF in home runs (14) and walks (35), while adding 11 doubles and scoring 42 runs. He earned NCBWA National Hitter of the Week honors April 26 and had a pair of hitting streaks of 10 games or longer last season. Kubitza headlined an outstanding group of freshmen at Rice, earning the league’s Freshman of the Year honor last [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/26/rice-tabbed-for-2012-c-usa-baseball-title/
2012 Questions & Answers: Can LSU Recover? Is Brian Kelly on the Clock?
Here's an honest question for you, folks: Do you really think the LSU Tigers will be able to recover--mentally, I mean--from that absolutely embarrassing beatdown they suffered at the hands of Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide back on Jan. 9?
...James Madison Picked For 2012 CAA Baseball Crown
Coaches Tab Dukes To Repeat… RICHMOND, Va.? James Madison, which captured the CAA baseball championship for the second time in four years last season, has been picked to win the conference title again in 2012 according to a vote of the CAA?s head baseball coaches. The Dukes received five first-place votes and finished atop the poll with 94 points. UNC-Wilmington garnered two first-place votes and was close behind in second with 88 points. Old Dominion got two first-place tallies and was chosen third with 76 points and Georgia State also got two first-place votes and was fourth with 74 points. VCU placed fifth in the voting, followed by George Mason, Delaware and William & Mary (tied for 7th), Towson, Hofstra and Northeastern. JMU returns five everyday starters from a 42-19 squad that finished atop the CAA regular-season standings for the second year in a row with a 21-9 mark. Leading the list of returnees is junior outfielder Johnny Bladel (.360, 4 HR, 41 RBI, 26 SB), who earned 2nd team All-CAA honors and was chosen as the Most Outstanding Player at the CAA Baseball Championship. Also back is 3rd-team All-CAA infielder/pitcher Ty McFarland (.278, 2 HR, 36 RBI) and junior [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/27/james-madison-picked-for-2012-caa-baseball-crown/
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Big West Baseball 2012 Preseason Poll
Fullerton Tabbed By Coaches As Early Favorite… The Cal State Fullerton Titans were selected as the favorite to capture the 2012 Big West Conference title according to the 2012 Big West Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll after receiving six of the nine first-place votes and totaling 76 points. Picking up three first-place votes was UC Irvine, who was selected second with 70 points. Rounding out the top three after collecting 58 points were the 49ers of Long Beach State. Last season Cal State Fullerton claimed its 25th Big West Conference championship and ninth in the last 13 years after posting a 19-5 mark. Earning the league’s automatic bid, the Titans made their 20th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, 33rd overall. Entering his first season as head coach of the Titans, Rick Vanderhook will guide a team that welcomes back 16 letterwinners, six of which are starting position players. Unfortunately the Titans lost all their starting pitchers in the offseason, which included All-Americans Nick Ramirez and Noe Ramirez, so they will rely on a young and inexperienced pitching squad. Dylan Floro (Jr. RHP, Merced, Calif.), one of just two returning pitchers from 2011, will lead the charge as the Friday-night starter. [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/25/big-west-baseball-2012-preseason-poll/
The Season is Over. The Season Has Just Begun.
First, let me say this: Congrats, Alabama.
Congrats on that stunning 21-0 win over LSU. Congrats on limiting the Tigers to 92 yards. Congrats on turning in one of the finest defensive performances that we in college football nation have ever seen. And congrats, of course, on claiming your 14th national championship.
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2012/01/11/the-season-is-over-the-season-has-just-begun.htm
Joe Paterno, Penn State Legend, Dead at 85
It's a sad and tragic end for a man who accomplished so much and impacted the lives of so many: On Sunday morning, legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno passed away at the age of 85.
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2012/01/22/joe-paterno-penn-state-legend-dead-at-85.htm
Coastal Picked In 2012 Big South Baseball Poll
Chants Favored Yet Again… CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – For the fifth consecutive year, Coastal Carolina University‘s baseball team has been voted the Big South Conference’s preseason favorite by the League’s Head Baseball Coaches, it was announced today by the Conference office.� In addition, the coaches voted Presbyterian sophomore catcher/first baseman Brad Zebedis (Rock Hill, S.C.) the Conference’s Preseason Player of the Year and Coastal Carolina junior Josh Conway (Smithsburg, Md.) the League’s Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Coastal was the near-unanimous selection to win the Big South crown in 2012, as the Chants received 10 of the 11 first-place votes and finished with 120 out of a possible 121 total points.� Coastal Carolina is coming of its fifth consecutive Big South Championship (League record) and NCAA Tournament berth.� Led by 17-year head coach Gary Gilmore — the Big South’s second-winningest baseball coach with a record of 650-324 ( =66.7 percent), the Chanticleers went 42-20 overall and 20-7 in Conference play in 2011.� The Chants return eight starters (four position players, four pitchers) and nine total letterwinners from last year’s club. Liberty was second in the preseason poll with 98 points and received the remaining first-place vote.� Radford was picked third [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/27/coastal-picked-in-2012-big-south-baseball-poll/
Friday, January 27, 2012
Defense Wins Championships: Alabama Shuts Down LSU, Wins National Title
Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have proven once again that the oldest cliché in football is also the truest cliché in college football.
That cliché, of course, is this: Defense wins championships.
...NCBWA 2012 Preseason Baseball Poll
Florida Keeps Topping Preseason Polls… DALLAS – Florida is pre-competition No. 1 nationally for the first time in school history in the 2012 National Collegiate Baseball Writers 15th annual Division I preseason poll. Coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s crew was runnerup to fellow Southeastern Conference powerhouse South Carolina in the 2011 NCAA World Series and has a very solid nucleus returning. All-America catcher and 2011 SEC Player of the Year Mike Zunino (.371 average-19 homers-67 RBI) is one of the top returnees along with dual threat Brian Johnson (8-3 pitching record, .307-5-29) and All-America DH Preston Tucker for the Gators. Two-time defending NCAA champ South Carolina is No. 2 in the opening survey while 2011 NCAA Division I World Series participants North Carolina (No. 3 this year), Texas A&M (No. 5), Texas (No. 7), Vanderbilt (No. 11), Virginia (No. 23), and California (No, 26) return after being ranked among the Top Eight in the final NCBWA poll last June. Last year’s preseason No. 1 TCU is No. 13 in the 2012 lidlifter. The NCBWA continues its tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the 15th year with its 2012 preseason predictions and weekly surveys. Weekly polls will resume from Feb. 21-June 28 [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/27/ncbwa-2012-preseason-baseball-poll/
The Season is Over. The Season Has Just Begun.
First, let me say this: Congrats, Alabama.
Congrats on that stunning 21-0 win over LSU. Congrats on limiting the Tigers to 92 yards. Congrats on turning in one of the finest defensive performances that we in college football nation have ever seen. And congrats, of course, on claiming your 14th national championship.
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2012/01/11/the-season-is-over-the-season-has-just-begun.htm
At Penn State, the Good-Byes Begin
The world has begun to say its good-byes to Joe Paterno.
Hundreds if not thousands of fans, well-wishers, former players and others gathered today to pay their respects to the man who did so much to build not only Penn State as a football program, but Penn State as a university as well, and in so doing crafted an unparalleled legacy.
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2012/01/24/at-penn-state-the-good-byes-begin.htm
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Thousands Line Streets to Honor Paterno
Penn State on Wednesday entered the second day of remembrances and good-byes to their longtime coach, and longtime legend, Joe Paterno.
A day after Paterno's public viewing drew hundreds if not thousands to Penn State's campus, the Paterno family prepared to bury the man who did more than any other to put Penn State football--and Penn State University--on the map.
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2012/01/25/thousands-line-streets-to-honor-paterno.htm
College Baseball 360 Podcast: Preston Tucker
Florida Senior Ready For Run At Title… Florida has been to the College World Series in each of the past two seasons. Preston Tucker has been there for each of those trips and is back for a chance to win a national championship in 2012. The senior was drafted in the 16th round by the Colorado Rockies last year, but opted to return to Gainesville instead of turning pro. His return means the Gators return almost everyone from a team that was the national runner-up in Omaha in 2011. Despite the arrival of BBCOR bats to college baseball, Tucker still had a monster bat last year, batting .308 with 15 home runs, a team-high 74 RBIs, 23 doubles, and a .926 OPS. In this exclusive interview with College Baseball 360 editor Sean Stires, Tucker discusses his decision to return for his final year at Florida, the reason for his personal success at the plate with the new bats, his teammates, coaches, his team’s chances to win a national championship and more. Press the “Play” button below to listen to the podcast interview. Tucker //
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/15/college-baseball-360-podcast-preston-tucker/
DIII Baseball 2012 Preseason Poll
Marietta Tops D3baseball.com Rankings… Marietta is the number one team in the D3baseball.com 2012 preseason poll. Marietta is followed by Chapman, Kean, Linfield and Cortland State in the top five. The rest of the poll follows: Preseason 2012 NCWBA/D3baseball.com Top 25 # School (1st) Record Pts Prev. 1 Marietta (25) 47-4 625 1 2 Chapman 37-13 579 2 3 Kean 42-11 559 3 4 Linfield 33-11 496 9 5 Cortland State 36-10 481 13 6 UW-Whitewater 37-13 455 4 7 Chris. Newport 39-7 445 14 8 UW-Stevens Pt. 34-10 357 15 9 Salisbury 34-14 351 6 10 Heidelberg 36-13 348 11 11 Alvernia 38-9 321 16 12 Eastern Conn. 34-13 304 20 13 Buena Vista 34-18 284 7 14 St. Scholastica 37-7 276 12 15 W. New England 42-11 274 10 16 Keystone 38-12 215 5 17 Carthage 32-12 207 17 18 Wheaton (Mass.) 32-12 196 22 19 Thomas More 29-9 185 rv 20 Redlands 30-13 170 rv 21 Shenandoah 37-7 152 8 22 Trinity (Texas) 34-13 106 19 23 Texas-Tyler 33-8 105 18 24 Tufts 27-9-1 72 21 25 Birm.-Southern 30-9 56 - Also receiving votes: Rowan 49, St. Thomas 45, Piedmont 44, Adrian 41, Johns Hopkins 39, Concordia-Austin [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/25/diii-baseball-2012-preseason-poll/
DIII Baseball 2012 Preseason Poll
Marietta Tops D3baseball.com Rankings… Marietta is the number one team in the D3baseball.com 2012 preseason poll. Marietta is followed by Chapman, Kean, Linfield and Cortland State in the top five. The rest of the poll follows: Preseason 2012 NCWBA/D3baseball.com Top 25 # School (1st) Record Pts Prev. 1 Marietta (25) 47-4 625 1 2 Chapman 37-13 579 2 3 Kean 42-11 559 3 4 Linfield 33-11 496 9 5 Cortland State 36-10 481 13 6 UW-Whitewater 37-13 455 4 7 Chris. Newport 39-7 445 14 8 UW-Stevens Pt. 34-10 357 15 9 Salisbury 34-14 351 6 10 Heidelberg 36-13 348 11 11 Alvernia 38-9 321 16 12 Eastern Conn. 34-13 304 20 13 Buena Vista 34-18 284 7 14 St. Scholastica 37-7 276 12 15 W. New England 42-11 274 10 16 Keystone 38-12 215 5 17 Carthage 32-12 207 17 18 Wheaton (Mass.) 32-12 196 22 19 Thomas More 29-9 185 rv 20 Redlands 30-13 170 rv 21 Shenandoah 37-7 152 8 22 Trinity (Texas) 34-13 106 19 23 Texas-Tyler 33-8 105 18 24 Tufts 27-9-1 72 21 25 Birm.-Southern 30-9 56 - Also receiving votes: Rowan 49, St. Thomas 45, Piedmont 44, Adrian 41, Johns Hopkins 39, Concordia-Austin [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/25/diii-baseball-2012-preseason-poll/
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Southern Utah To Eliminate Baseball Program
Conference Move, Funds Blamed… Cal baseball nearly got the ax last year. Cleveland State did lose its baseball program after 2011, just like Duquesne, Northern Iowa and other Division One baseball programs have seen happen in recent years. Southern Utah is the latest DI baseball program to be sent to the gallows. The school made the announcement on, fittingly, Friday the 13th. Here is the official release from the school: Southern Utah University’s intercollegiate baseball program will be discontinued following the 2012 season, it was announced today. The University’s Board of Trustees approved the action in its regular meeting following a recommendation by its athletic sub-committee. The University’s pending move to the Big Sky Conference, coupled with the need to redirect resources to add men’s tennis, precipitated the decision to eliminate baseball, SUU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ken Beazer said.� The Big Sky does not sponsor baseball but requires the addition of men’s tennis as a core sport for the 2012-13 academic year. The committee further recommended the athletics department continue in the future to channel its resources into sports with strong conference affiliations in order to put its best foot forward. “This is one of the most difficult decisions [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/14/southern-utah-to-eliminate-baseball-program/
Michigan Alum Larkin To Baseball HOF
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Former University of Michigan baseball All-American Barry Larkin (1983-85) has been selected as a member of the 2012 class to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, it was announced today (Monday, Jan. 9). Larkin, who garnered 86.4 percent of votes by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in his third time on the ballot, will be inducted in a ceremony on July 22, 2012, in Cooperstown, N.Y. Larkin will become the fourth Wolverine to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. George Sisler was inducted in 1939 and lettered at U-M in 1913, ’14 and ’15. He played for the St. Louis Browns, Washington Senators and Boston Braves, and held the Major League record for hits in a season (257) until 2004. Charlie Gehringer played on the freshman team at U-M in 1923 and was awarded a freshman letter. He went on to become a six-time All-Star and American League Most Valuable Player in 1937 with the Detroit Tigers. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1949. Branch Rickey, who is credited with inventing the modern farm system, pioneering the utilization of statistics and breaking the color barrier by signing Jackie [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/10/michigan-alum-larkin-to-baseball-hof/
College Baseball 360 Podcast: Paul Mainieri
LSU Skipper Preps For 6th Season In Baton Rouge… LSU was the talk of college baseball on NCAA selection Monday in 2011. Paul Mainieri’s Tigers, two seasons removed from a national championship, missed the SEC Tournament, but still managed 36 wins. LSU was not picked to the NCAA Tournament field of 64 in 2011, but is considered by many a favorite to make it all the way to the College World Series in 2012. In this exclusive interview with College Baseball 360 editor Sean Stires, Mainieri discusses the disappointment of missing last year’s tournament, his youthful pitching staff from a year ago that is now full of seasoned veterans, the three pitchers who are battling to fill the closer role vacated by former All-American Matt Ott, what drew him to hire new pitching coach Alan Dunn, what he would change if he could change one thing about college baseball, and much more. Press the “Play” button below to listen to the interview. Mainieri //
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/12/college-baseball-360-podcast-paul-mainieri/
College Baseball 360 Podcast: Tyler Hannah
Troy Slugger Looks For Big 2012… The 2011 season was a big one for Troy baseball and Tyler Hannah. The Trojans won 43 games and a Sun Belt Conference regular season championship en-route to an NCAA Regional berth. Hannah played a big role in his team’s success, with a team-high .370 batting average, 27 doubles, .591 slugging percentage, and .477 on-base percentage. In this podcast with College Baseball 360 editor Sean Stires, the preseason All-American discusses his big season, his team’s fortunes and prospects for 2012. Press the “Play” button below to listen to the interview. Hannah Tyler Hannah – 6’0 – 195 – Sr. – Gardendale, AL Head Coach:� Bobby Pierce
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/18/college-baseball-360-podcast-tyler-hannah/
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
College Baseball 360 Podcast: Paul Mainieri
LSU Skipper Preps For 6th Season In Baton Rouge… LSU was the talk of college baseball on NCAA selection Monday in 2011. Paul Mainieri’s Tigers, two seasons removed from a national championship, missed the SEC Tournament, but still managed 36 wins. LSU was not picked to the NCAA Tournament field of 64 in 2011, but is considered by many a favorite to make it all the way to the College World Series in 2012. In this exclusive interview with College Baseball 360 editor Sean Stires, Mainieri discusses the disappointment of missing last year’s tournament, his youthful pitching staff from a year ago that is now full of seasoned veterans, the three pitchers who are battling to fill the closer role vacated by former All-American Matt Ott, what drew him to hire new pitching coach Alan Dunn, what he would change if he could change one thing about college baseball, and much more. Press the “Play” button below to listen to the interview. Mainieri //
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/12/college-baseball-360-podcast-paul-mainieri/
The New Reality for Ohio State? No Meaningful Football Until 2013
I have to admit: I didn't see this coming.
Perhaps because the last few months of college football scandal news (first there was Miami ... and then there was Penn State) made the all of those tattoo-related misdeeds in Columbus seem comically small, or perhaps because I fully expected the powers-that-be in the Big Ten (i.e., Jim Delany) to fight to the death on the Buckeyes behalf, I fully expected that, when all was said and done regarding the NCAA's investigation into Jim Tressel and Ohio State, the Buckeyes would walk away relatively unscathed.
...Munchak Has 'No Interest' in Penn State Job; the Interminable Search Continues
Just when it seemed that Penn State had finally found its new head coach, the coach in question on Wednesday (strongly) denied he was even interested in the job.
According to at least three reports out of Pennsylvania this week, Penn State officials had by Wednesday morning targeted Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak as their top choice to replace the deposed Joe Paterno. Munchak had long been rumored to be among those that Penn State's coaching search committee was considering, but in the wake of an alleged swing-and-a-miss attempt last week to lure Boise State's Chris Petersen to State College, it appeared that Munchak had actually become the hands-down favorite to land the gig.
...Oklahoma State 2012 Baseball Schedule
32 Home Games Set For Cowboys… Oklahoma State is the final Big 12 school to release its 2012 college baseball schedule. The Cowboys open their season Feb. 17-19 with a three game series at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif. OSU heads back to Stillwater for six straight home games, beginning with a Feb. 21 home opener vs. 2011 Super Regional team Dallas Baptist. After visits from St. Gregory’s, Bowling Green (three games) and Missouri State, the Cowboys travel lto Ft. Worth, Texas for a March 2-4 three game set against TCU. The Cowboys return the visit to Dallas Baptist on May 15. A nine game homestand after the TCU series begins with three games against Alabama A&M and also includes a three game series with Houston. Other notable non-conference games include two home games against Ohio State May 8 & 9 and home and home games with Wichita State. Big 12 Conference play begins March 23-25 at Missouri. Other conference road series are at Baylor, Texas and Kansas State. OSU hosts Kansas, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M. The Bedlam Series with intrastate rival Oklahoma starts in Tulsa on May 4, with the last two games in Oklahoma City. [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/06/oklahoma-state-2012-baseball-schedule/
Monday, January 23, 2012
Joe Paterno, Penn State Legend, Dead at 85
It's a sad and tragic end for a man who accomplished so much and impacted the lives of so many: On Sunday morning, legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno passed away at the age of 85.
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2012/01/22/joe-paterno-penn-state-legend-dead-at-85.htm
College Baseball 360 Podcast: Cal?s Justin Jones
Cal Pitcher Ready For Another Run To Omaha… The Cal baseball program ran the gamut of emotions during the 2010-2011 year. The Golden Bears experienced the lowest of lows when they thought their program would be eliminated, and then propelled themselves to the highest of highs-with a run to the 2011 College World Series. Junior pitcher Justin Jones was there every step of the way. In this exclusive interview with College Baseball 360 editor Sean Stires, Jones discusses his team’s run to Omaha as well as the aftereffects. He was not able to pitch at the CWS due to an injury he suffered in a Super Regional win over Dallas Baptist, so how is his arm now? His other revelations include why he decided to remain a Golden Bear rather than transfer to another school after the announcement that Cal baseball would be cut after the 2011 season, who he would take a bullet for, who he would step in front of a car for, and which actor would play him if a movie is ever made about Cal’s unbelievable season. Press the “play” button below to listen to the podcast. Justin Jones – 6’2 – 188 – Jr. – [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/09/college-baseball-360-podcast-cals-justin-jones/
College Baseball 360 Podcast: Brian O?Connor
Virginia Coach Ready For New Challenge… The last three seasons have been unprecedented for head coach Brian O’Connor and the Virginia baseball team. The Cavaliers are coming off their second trip to the College World Series in the last three years, with a Super Regional appearance sandwiched between the trips to Omaha. Most of the players, including All-American two-way player Danny Hultzen, are gone from those two teams though. The roster turnover leaves O’Connor and his coaching staff faced with the new challenge of restocking not only the entire weekend pitching rotation, but also most of the everyday lineup. In this exclusive interview with College Baseball 360 editor Sean Stires, O’Connor discusses those challenges and more – including the one thing he would change if he were king of college baseball for a day. Press the “Play” button below to listen to the interview. O\’Connor.mp3
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/11/college-baseball-360-podcast-brian-oconnor/
The Season is Over. The Season Has Just Begun.
First, let me say this: Congrats, Alabama.
Congrats on that stunning 21-0 win over LSU. Congrats on limiting the Tigers to 92 yards. Congrats on turning in one of the finest defensive performances that we in college football nation have ever seen. And congrats, of course, on claiming your 14th national championship.
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2012/01/11/the-season-is-over-the-season-has-just-begun.htm
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Paterno: 'I Never Had to Deal With Anything Like That.'
Joe Paterno has broken his silence.
The longtime Penn State coach had remained mostly mum since his dismissal in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal, but late this week, Paterno finally opened up, granting a lengthy two-day interview to acclaimed Washington Post reporter Sally Jenkins.
...Michigan Alum Larkin To Baseball HOF
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Former University of Michigan baseball All-American Barry Larkin (1983-85) has been selected as a member of the 2012 class to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, it was announced today (Monday, Jan. 9). Larkin, who garnered 86.4 percent of votes by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in his third time on the ballot, will be inducted in a ceremony on July 22, 2012, in Cooperstown, N.Y. Larkin will become the fourth Wolverine to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. George Sisler was inducted in 1939 and lettered at U-M in 1913, ’14 and ’15. He played for the St. Louis Browns, Washington Senators and Boston Braves, and held the Major League record for hits in a season (257) until 2004. Charlie Gehringer played on the freshman team at U-M in 1923 and was awarded a freshman letter. He went on to become a six-time All-Star and American League Most Valuable Player in 1937 with the Detroit Tigers. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1949. Branch Rickey, who is credited with inventing the modern farm system, pioneering the utilization of statistics and breaking the color barrier by signing Jackie [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/10/michigan-alum-larkin-to-baseball-hof/
Petersen Awarded Contract Extension, Will Stay at Boise State
Well, you can cross Chris Petersen's name off the list of alleged candidates for the Penn State job.
According to reports out of Idaho on Wednesday, Boise State has awarded Petersen with a five-year contract extension that will boost his salary by more than $1 million by the end of the deal. The Idaho Statesman was reporting that the deal was set to be approved by the state education board sometime next month.
...Saturday, January 21, 2012
The Season is Over. The Season Has Just Begun.
First, let me say this: Congrats, Alabama.
Congrats on that stunning 21-0 win over LSU. Congrats on limiting the Tigers to 92 yards. Congrats on turning in one of the finest defensive performances that we in college football nation have ever seen. And congrats, of course, on claiming your 14th national championship.
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2012/01/11/the-season-is-over-the-season-has-just-begun.htm
Cal State Bakersfield 2012 Baseball Schedule
Challenges Await Roadrunners In Last Year As Independent… Cal State Bakersfield has released its 2012 college baseball schedule. The Roadrunners open their season Feb. 17-19 when they host a three game series with Kansas State. They continue a seven game season-opening homestand with a Feb. 21 game against Fresno State and a three game series against UC-Davis. The Division One Independent program concludes the month of February with a two game set at UNLV. Home opponents in the month of March include Portland, Sacramento State and Air Force. CSB hits the road that month for series at Fresno State, USC, and Washington as well as a single game at UC Santa Barbara. The Roadrunners head to Santa Barbara again in early April. They also travel to Cal State Northridge, UC Riverside, and Nebraska during the month. April home contests are a three game series with Santa Clara and a single game vs. USC. May begins with a three game series at North Carolina State followed by three games at Cal Poly and three games at UC Irvine. Home opponents in May are Cal Poly, Santa Barbara (twice), New Mexico State, Northridge, and Utah. The 2012 season will be Cal State [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/06/cal-state-bakersfield-2012-baseball-schedule/
It's Official: O'Brien to Penn State
Well, it's safe to say that, when the Penn State coaching search began two months ago, there wasn't a single person on the planet who could have imagined how it would end.
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2012/01/07/its-official-obrien-to-penn-state.htm
Munchak Has 'No Interest' in Penn State Job; the Interminable Search Continues
Just when it seemed that Penn State had finally found its new head coach, the coach in question on Wednesday (strongly) denied he was even interested in the job.
According to at least three reports out of Pennsylvania this week, Penn State officials had by Wednesday morning targeted Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak as their top choice to replace the deposed Joe Paterno. Munchak had long been rumored to be among those that Penn State's coaching search committee was considering, but in the wake of an alleged swing-and-a-miss attempt last week to lure Boise State's Chris Petersen to State College, it appeared that Munchak had actually become the hands-down favorite to land the gig.
...Friday, January 20, 2012
Big East Baseball 2012 Preseason Poll
Preseason All-Conference Picks Named As Well… PROVIDENCE, R.I. ? On the heels of back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Championship and a runner-up finish in the BIG EAST last season, St. John?s has been tabbed as the favorite to win the 2012 BIG EAST baseball championship by the league?s 12 head coaches. The Red Storm received eight of a possible 11 first-place votes in the preseason poll. The coaches also chose St. John?s outfielder Jeremy Baltz as the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year and named Louisville righthanded pitcher Justin Amlung the BIG EAST Preseason Pitcher of the Year. St. John?s, which has won a record six BIG EAST championships and has reached the NCAA tournament four times in the past five seasons, returns its entire starting pitching rotation and six starting position players from last year?s squad that went 36-22 overall and finished second in the BIG EAST standings. St. John?s is ranked No. 11 nationally in the preseason poll of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. The returning starters for St. John?s include Baltz, who has been chosen to the All-BIG EAST First Team in each of his first two seasons. The 2010 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, Baltz hit [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/04/big-east-baseball-2012-preseason-poll/
Munchak Has 'No Interest' in Penn State Job; the Interminable Search Continues
Just when it seemed that Penn State had finally found its new head coach, the coach in question on Wednesday (strongly) denied he was even interested in the job.
According to at least three reports out of Pennsylvania this week, Penn State officials had by Wednesday morning targeted Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak as their top choice to replace the deposed Joe Paterno. Munchak had long been rumored to be among those that Penn State's coaching search committee was considering, but in the wake of an alleged swing-and-a-miss attempt last week to lure Boise State's Chris Petersen to State College, it appeared that Munchak had actually become the hands-down favorite to land the gig.
...Paterno: 'I Never Had to Deal With Anything Like That.'
Joe Paterno has broken his silence.
The longtime Penn State coach had remained mostly mum since his dismissal in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal, but late this week, Paterno finally opened up, granting a lengthy two-day interview to acclaimed Washington Post reporter Sally Jenkins.
...College Baseball 360 Podcast: Brian O?Connor
Virginia Coach Ready For New Challenge… The last three seasons have been unprecedented for head coach Brian O’Connor and the Virginia baseball team. The Cavaliers are coming off their second trip to the College World Series in the last three years, with a Super Regional appearance sandwiched between the trips to Omaha. Most of the players, including All-American two-way player Danny Hultzen, are gone from those two teams though. The roster turnover leaves O’Connor and his coaching staff faced with the new challenge of restocking not only the entire weekend pitching rotation, but also most of the everyday lineup. In this exclusive interview with College Baseball 360 editor Sean Stires, O’Connor discusses those challenges and more – including the one thing he would change if he were king of college baseball for a day. Press the “Play” button below to listen to the interview. O\’Connor.mp3
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/11/college-baseball-360-podcast-brian-oconnor/
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Big East Baseball 2012 Preseason Poll
Preseason All-Conference Picks Named As Well… PROVIDENCE, R.I. ? On the heels of back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Championship and a runner-up finish in the BIG EAST last season, St. John?s has been tabbed as the favorite to win the 2012 BIG EAST baseball championship by the league?s 12 head coaches. The Red Storm received eight of a possible 11 first-place votes in the preseason poll. The coaches also chose St. John?s outfielder Jeremy Baltz as the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year and named Louisville righthanded pitcher Justin Amlung the BIG EAST Preseason Pitcher of the Year. St. John?s, which has won a record six BIG EAST championships and has reached the NCAA tournament four times in the past five seasons, returns its entire starting pitching rotation and six starting position players from last year?s squad that went 36-22 overall and finished second in the BIG EAST standings. St. John?s is ranked No. 11 nationally in the preseason poll of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. The returning starters for St. John?s include Baltz, who has been chosen to the All-BIG EAST First Team in each of his first two seasons. The 2010 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, Baltz hit [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/04/big-east-baseball-2012-preseason-poll/
Southern Utah To Eliminate Baseball Program
Conference Move, Funds Blamed… Cal baseball nearly got the ax last year. Cleveland State did lose its baseball program after 2011, just like Duquesne, Northern Iowa and other Division One baseball programs have seen happen in recent years. Southern Utah is the latest DI baseball program to be sent to the gallows. The school made the announcement on, fittingly, Friday the 13th. Here is the official release from the school: Southern Utah University’s intercollegiate baseball program will be discontinued following the 2012 season, it was announced today. The University’s Board of Trustees approved the action in its regular meeting following a recommendation by its athletic sub-committee. The University’s pending move to the Big Sky Conference, coupled with the need to redirect resources to add men’s tennis, precipitated the decision to eliminate baseball, SUU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ken Beazer said.� The Big Sky does not sponsor baseball but requires the addition of men’s tennis as a core sport for the 2012-13 academic year. The committee further recommended the athletics department continue in the future to channel its resources into sports with strong conference affiliations in order to put its best foot forward. “This is one of the most difficult decisions [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/14/southern-utah-to-eliminate-baseball-program/
Michigan Alum Larkin To Baseball HOF
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Former University of Michigan baseball All-American Barry Larkin (1983-85) has been selected as a member of the 2012 class to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, it was announced today (Monday, Jan. 9). Larkin, who garnered 86.4 percent of votes by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in his third time on the ballot, will be inducted in a ceremony on July 22, 2012, in Cooperstown, N.Y. Larkin will become the fourth Wolverine to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. George Sisler was inducted in 1939 and lettered at U-M in 1913, ’14 and ’15. He played for the St. Louis Browns, Washington Senators and Boston Braves, and held the Major League record for hits in a season (257) until 2004. Charlie Gehringer played on the freshman team at U-M in 1923 and was awarded a freshman letter. He went on to become a six-time All-Star and American League Most Valuable Player in 1937 with the Detroit Tigers. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1949. Branch Rickey, who is credited with inventing the modern farm system, pioneering the utilization of statistics and breaking the color barrier by signing Jackie [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/10/michigan-alum-larkin-to-baseball-hof/
Defense Wins Championships: Alabama Shuts Down LSU, Wins National Title
Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have proven once again that the oldest cliché in football is also the truest cliché in college football.
That cliché, of course, is this: Defense wins championships.
...Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Big East Baseball 2012 Preseason Poll
Preseason All-Conference Picks Named As Well… PROVIDENCE, R.I. ? On the heels of back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Championship and a runner-up finish in the BIG EAST last season, St. John?s has been tabbed as the favorite to win the 2012 BIG EAST baseball championship by the league?s 12 head coaches. The Red Storm received eight of a possible 11 first-place votes in the preseason poll. The coaches also chose St. John?s outfielder Jeremy Baltz as the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year and named Louisville righthanded pitcher Justin Amlung the BIG EAST Preseason Pitcher of the Year. St. John?s, which has won a record six BIG EAST championships and has reached the NCAA tournament four times in the past five seasons, returns its entire starting pitching rotation and six starting position players from last year?s squad that went 36-22 overall and finished second in the BIG EAST standings. St. John?s is ranked No. 11 nationally in the preseason poll of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. The returning starters for St. John?s include Baltz, who has been chosen to the All-BIG EAST First Team in each of his first two seasons. The 2010 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, Baltz hit [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/04/big-east-baseball-2012-preseason-poll/
BCS Bowl Dates Prove It: Money Matters. Fans Don't.
Note to BCS and ESPN executives: Nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to attend a bowl game on the Tuesday night or the Wednesday night after New Year's Day.
So how about we go ahead and make some changes to this utterly insulting schedule, yes?
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2011/12/14/bcs-bowl-dates-prove-it-money-matters-fans-dont.htm
BCS Bowl Dates Prove It: Money Matters. Fans Don't.
Note to BCS and ESPN executives: Nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to attend a bowl game on the Tuesday night or the Wednesday night after New Year's Day.
So how about we go ahead and make some changes to this utterly insulting schedule, yes?
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2011/12/14/bcs-bowl-dates-prove-it-money-matters-fans-dont.htm
Big East Baseball 2012 Preseason Poll
Preseason All-Conference Picks Named As Well… PROVIDENCE, R.I. ? On the heels of back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Championship and a runner-up finish in the BIG EAST last season, St. John?s has been tabbed as the favorite to win the 2012 BIG EAST baseball championship by the league?s 12 head coaches. The Red Storm received eight of a possible 11 first-place votes in the preseason poll. The coaches also chose St. John?s outfielder Jeremy Baltz as the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year and named Louisville righthanded pitcher Justin Amlung the BIG EAST Preseason Pitcher of the Year. St. John?s, which has won a record six BIG EAST championships and has reached the NCAA tournament four times in the past five seasons, returns its entire starting pitching rotation and six starting position players from last year?s squad that went 36-22 overall and finished second in the BIG EAST standings. St. John?s is ranked No. 11 nationally in the preseason poll of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. The returning starters for St. John?s include Baltz, who has been chosen to the All-BIG EAST First Team in each of his first two seasons. The 2010 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, Baltz hit [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/04/big-east-baseball-2012-preseason-poll/
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
A Big Win for Baylor: QB Griffin Wins Heisman Trophy
First Joe Paterno gets fired at Penn State. Then a team that finished second in its own division gets a bid to the national title game. Then a kid from Baylor wins the Heisman Trophy.
...It's Official: O'Brien to Penn State
Well, it's safe to say that, when the Penn State coaching search began two months ago, there wasn't a single person on the planet who could have imagined how it would end.
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2012/01/07/its-official-obrien-to-penn-state.htm
Oklahoma State 2012 Baseball Schedule
32 Home Games Set For Cowboys… Oklahoma State is the final Big 12 school to release its 2012 college baseball schedule. The Cowboys open their season Feb. 17-19 with a three game series at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif. OSU heads back to Stillwater for six straight home games, beginning with a Feb. 21 home opener vs. 2011 Super Regional team Dallas Baptist. After visits from St. Gregory’s, Bowling Green (three games) and Missouri State, the Cowboys travel lto Ft. Worth, Texas for a March 2-4 three game set against TCU. The Cowboys return the visit to Dallas Baptist on May 15. A nine game homestand after the TCU series begins with three games against Alabama A&M and also includes a three game series with Houston. Other notable non-conference games include two home games against Ohio State May 8 & 9 and home and home games with Wichita State. Big 12 Conference play begins March 23-25 at Missouri. Other conference road series are at Baylor, Texas and Kansas State. OSU hosts Kansas, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M. The Bedlam Series with intrastate rival Oklahoma starts in Tulsa on May 4, with the last two games in Oklahoma City. [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/06/oklahoma-state-2012-baseball-schedule/
It's Official: O'Brien to Penn State
Well, it's safe to say that, when the Penn State coaching search began two months ago, there wasn't a single person on the planet who could have imagined how it would end.
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2012/01/07/its-official-obrien-to-penn-state.htm
Monday, January 16, 2012
Nick Saban to Penn State? Well, Of Course.
The Penn State coaching search has officially jumped the shark.
In this brave new era rules by social media and message board "insiders," at a time when Twitter not only relays the news but often creates the news, in an epoch where "speculation" has replaced "reporting" even in the world of journalism, it has become far too easy for mere 'rumor' to be reported as 'fact.'
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2011/12/31/nick-saban-to-penn-state-well-of-course.htm
Big East Baseball 2012 Preseason Poll
Preseason All-Conference Picks Named As Well… PROVIDENCE, R.I. ? On the heels of back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Championship and a runner-up finish in the BIG EAST last season, St. John?s has been tabbed as the favorite to win the 2012 BIG EAST baseball championship by the league?s 12 head coaches. The Red Storm received eight of a possible 11 first-place votes in the preseason poll. The coaches also chose St. John?s outfielder Jeremy Baltz as the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year and named Louisville righthanded pitcher Justin Amlung the BIG EAST Preseason Pitcher of the Year. St. John?s, which has won a record six BIG EAST championships and has reached the NCAA tournament four times in the past five seasons, returns its entire starting pitching rotation and six starting position players from last year?s squad that went 36-22 overall and finished second in the BIG EAST standings. St. John?s is ranked No. 11 nationally in the preseason poll of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. The returning starters for St. John?s include Baltz, who has been chosen to the All-BIG EAST First Team in each of his first two seasons. The 2010 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, Baltz hit [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/04/big-east-baseball-2012-preseason-poll/
College Baseball 360 Podcast: Preston Tucker
Florida Senior Ready For Run At Title… Florida has been to the College World Series in each of the past two seasons. Preston Tucker has been there for each of those trips and is back for a chance to win a national championship in 2012. The senior was drafted in the 16th round by the Colorado Rockies last year, but opted to return to Gainesville instead of turning pro. His return means the Gators return almost everyone from a team that was the national runner-up in Omaha in 2011. Despite the arrival of BBCOR bats to college baseball, Tucker still had a monster bat last year, batting .308 with 15 home runs, a team-high 74 RBIs, 23 doubles, and a .926 OPS. In this exclusive interview with College Baseball 360 editor Sean Stires, Tucker discusses his decision to return for his final year at Florida, the reason for his personal success at the plate with the new bats, his teammates, coaches, his team’s chances to win a national championship and more. Press the “Play” button below to listen to the podcast interview. Tucker //
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/15/college-baseball-360-podcast-preston-tucker/
Defense Wins Championships: Alabama Shuts Down LSU, Wins National Title
Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have proven once again that the oldest cliché in football is also the truest cliché in college football.
That cliché, of course, is this: Defense wins championships.
...Sunday, January 15, 2012
Steve Garvey?s Son Leaves USC
Ryan Garvey Heading To Juco… The son of Los Angeles Dodgers great Steve Garvey has decided to leave the USC baseball team after just one semester on the college campus. Citing academic challenges, highly touted freshman outfielder Ryan Garvey has left the Trojans to enroll at Riverside Community College. ?I passed all my classes, I’m eligible, it was great, but I was studying from 9:30 to 6 every day and I was more worried about school than baseball, and my thing was to go there to play baseball,? the younger Garvey told the Desert Sun Newspaper. ?I love ‘SC, it was one of my dream schools from the beginning, but my main goal is to be a professional baseball player and I felt I was more focused on school than sports.? Garvey was selected in the 15th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. By going to a junior college for a semester he will immediately be eligible for the 2012 MLB Draft. Had he stayed at USC, he would have had to wait until the 2014 draft before he was eligible again. Garvey hit nine home runs with 44 RBIs and 13 doubles as a senior [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/12/29/steve-garveys-son-leaves-usc/
Oklahoma State 2012 Baseball Schedule
32 Home Games Set For Cowboys… Oklahoma State is the final Big 12 school to release its 2012 college baseball schedule. The Cowboys open their season Feb. 17-19 with a three game series at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif. OSU heads back to Stillwater for six straight home games, beginning with a Feb. 21 home opener vs. 2011 Super Regional team Dallas Baptist. After visits from St. Gregory’s, Bowling Green (three games) and Missouri State, the Cowboys travel lto Ft. Worth, Texas for a March 2-4 three game set against TCU. The Cowboys return the visit to Dallas Baptist on May 15. A nine game homestand after the TCU series begins with three games against Alabama A&M and also includes a three game series with Houston. Other notable non-conference games include two home games against Ohio State May 8 & 9 and home and home games with Wichita State. Big 12 Conference play begins March 23-25 at Missouri. Other conference road series are at Baylor, Texas and Kansas State. OSU hosts Kansas, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M. The Bedlam Series with intrastate rival Oklahoma starts in Tulsa on May 4, with the last two games in Oklahoma City. [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/06/oklahoma-state-2012-baseball-schedule/
Big East Baseball 2012 Preseason Poll
Preseason All-Conference Picks Named As Well… PROVIDENCE, R.I. ? On the heels of back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Championship and a runner-up finish in the BIG EAST last season, St. John?s has been tabbed as the favorite to win the 2012 BIG EAST baseball championship by the league?s 12 head coaches. The Red Storm received eight of a possible 11 first-place votes in the preseason poll. The coaches also chose St. John?s outfielder Jeremy Baltz as the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year and named Louisville righthanded pitcher Justin Amlung the BIG EAST Preseason Pitcher of the Year. St. John?s, which has won a record six BIG EAST championships and has reached the NCAA tournament four times in the past five seasons, returns its entire starting pitching rotation and six starting position players from last year?s squad that went 36-22 overall and finished second in the BIG EAST standings. St. John?s is ranked No. 11 nationally in the preseason poll of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. The returning starters for St. John?s include Baltz, who has been chosen to the All-BIG EAST First Team in each of his first two seasons. The 2010 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, Baltz hit [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/04/big-east-baseball-2012-preseason-poll/
Nick Saban to Penn State? Well, Of Course.
The Penn State coaching search has officially jumped the shark.
In this brave new era rules by social media and message board "insiders," at a time when Twitter not only relays the news but often creates the news, in an epoch where "speculation" has replaced "reporting" even in the world of journalism, it has become far too easy for mere 'rumor' to be reported as 'fact.'
...Source: http://collegefootball.about.com/b/2011/12/31/nick-saban-to-penn-state-well-of-course.htm
Saturday, January 14, 2012
A Big Win for Baylor: QB Griffin Wins Heisman Trophy
First Joe Paterno gets fired at Penn State. Then a team that finished second in its own division gets a bid to the national title game. Then a kid from Baylor wins the Heisman Trophy.
...Petersen Awarded Contract Extension, Will Stay at Boise State
Well, you can cross Chris Petersen's name off the list of alleged candidates for the Penn State job.
According to reports out of Idaho on Wednesday, Boise State has awarded Petersen with a five-year contract extension that will boost his salary by more than $1 million by the end of the deal. The Idaho Statesman was reporting that the deal was set to be approved by the state education board sometime next month.
...Southern Utah To Eliminate Baseball Program
Conference Move, Funds Blamed… Cal baseball nearly got the ax last year. Cleveland State did lose its baseball program after 2011, just like Duquesne, Northern Iowa and other Division One baseball programs have seen happen in recent years. Southern Utah is the latest DI baseball program to be sent to the gallows. The school made the announcement on, fittingly, Friday the 13th. Here is the official release from the school: Southern Utah University’s intercollegiate baseball program will be discontinued following the 2012 season, it was announced today. The University’s Board of Trustees approved the action in its regular meeting following a recommendation by its athletic sub-committee. The University’s pending move to the Big Sky Conference, coupled with the need to redirect resources to add men’s tennis, precipitated the decision to eliminate baseball, SUU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ken Beazer said.� The Big Sky does not sponsor baseball but requires the addition of men’s tennis as a core sport for the 2012-13 academic year. The committee further recommended the athletics department continue in the future to channel its resources into sports with strong conference affiliations in order to put its best foot forward. “This is one of the most difficult decisions [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/14/southern-utah-to-eliminate-baseball-program/
Cal State Bakersfield 2012 Baseball Schedule
Challenges Await Roadrunners In Last Year As Independent… Cal State Bakersfield has released its 2012 college baseball schedule. The Roadrunners open their season Feb. 17-19 when they host a three game series with Kansas State. They continue a seven game season-opening homestand with a Feb. 21 game against Fresno State and a three game series against UC-Davis. The Division One Independent program concludes the month of February with a two game set at UNLV. Home opponents in the month of March include Portland, Sacramento State and Air Force. CSB hits the road that month for series at Fresno State, USC, and Washington as well as a single game at UC Santa Barbara. The Roadrunners head to Santa Barbara again in early April. They also travel to Cal State Northridge, UC Riverside, and Nebraska during the month. April home contests are a three game series with Santa Clara and a single game vs. USC. May begins with a three game series at North Carolina State followed by three games at Cal Poly and three games at UC Irvine. Home opponents in May are Cal Poly, Santa Barbara (twice), New Mexico State, Northridge, and Utah. The 2012 season will be Cal State [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/06/cal-state-bakersfield-2012-baseball-schedule/
Friday, January 13, 2012
Defense Wins Championships: Alabama Shuts Down LSU, Wins National Title
Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have proven once again that the oldest cliché in football is also the truest cliché in college football.
That cliché, of course, is this: Defense wins championships.
...Division III Collegate Baseball 2012 Preseason Poll
Marietta No. 1 In NCAA Div. III COLLEGIATE BASEBALL NEWSPAPER Pre-Season Poll Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s NCAA Div. III Pre-Season Poll (As of Dec. 20) www.baseballnews.com Rank��� School Name ?11 Final Record Point Totals 1. Marietta, OH 47-4 270 2. Chapman, CA 37-13 261 3. Kean, NJ 42-11 259 4. Christopher Newport, VA 39-7 255 5. SUNY-Cortland, NY 36-10 252 6. Linfield, OR 33-11 249 7. Wisc.-Whitewater 37-13 245 8. Buena Vista, IA 34-18 242 9. Eastern Connecticut St. 34-13 240 10. Alvernia, PA 38-9 237 11. Western New England, MA 42-11 236 12. Wisc.-Stevens Point 34-10 234 13. Thomas More, KY 29-9 230 14. Heidelberg, OH 36-13 228 15. Redlands, CA 30-13 225 16. Wheaton, MA 32-12 222 17. Salisbury, MD 34-14 219 18. St. Scholastica, MN 37-7 218 19. Carthage, WI 32-12 214 20. Tufts, MA 27-9-1 211 21. Southern Maine 22-19 208 22. Johns Hopkins, MD 27-15 205 23. Birmingham-Southern, AL 30-9 203 24. Piedmont, GA 32-15 200 25. Coe, IA 32-12 195 26. Adrian, MI 31-11 193 27. Rowan, NJ 31-13-1 190 28. Texas-Tyler 33-8 188 29. St. Thomas, MN 28-17 186 30. Illinois Wesleyan 28-18 183 Other Top Teams: Keystone, PA (38-12), Trinity, TX (34-13), Concordia-Chicago, [...]
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/12/26/division-iii-collegate-baseball-2012-preseason-poll/
College Baseball 360 Podcast: Brian O?Connor
Virginia Coach Ready For New Challenge… The last three seasons have been unprecedented for head coach Brian O’Connor and the Virginia baseball team. The Cavaliers are coming off their second trip to the College World Series in the last three years, with a Super Regional appearance sandwiched between the trips to Omaha. Most of the players, including All-American two-way player Danny Hultzen, are gone from those two teams though. The roster turnover leaves O’Connor and his coaching staff faced with the new challenge of restocking not only the entire weekend pitching rotation, but also most of the everyday lineup. In this exclusive interview with College Baseball 360 editor Sean Stires, O’Connor discusses those challenges and more – including the one thing he would change if he were king of college baseball for a day. Press the “Play” button below to listen to the interview. O\’Connor.mp3
Source: http://collegebaseball360.com/2012/01/11/college-baseball-360-podcast-brian-oconnor/
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