The Aggies enter the 2011 season rated as the #13 team in the nation by USA Today/ESPN Coaches' poll. They are returning 19 lettermen from last year's team which went 43-21-1 and made their fourth straight postseason appearance. The four straight postseason appearances ties a school record.
Returning Position Players
Top returning position players include: senior catcher Kevin Gonzalez, juniors Matt Juengel & Adam Smith.
Juengel (INF) put up some very impressive numbers last season batting .359 with 11 homeruns and 39 RBI. Gonzalez not only performed well at the plate, batting .318 with 9 homeruns and 36 RBI, but also was stellar behind the plate finishing with a .994 fielding percentage. Smith (2B) provided some pop with his bat hitting 10 homeruns and driving in 42 runs, while stealing 11 bases.
Returning Pitchers
The returning letter winners include 11 pitchers from a staff that ranked 13th nationally in team earned run average and second in strikeouts per nine innings.
The staff will be lead by pre-season All-American junior John Stilson and sophomore Michael Wacha.
Stilson recorded a 9-1 record with 10 saves and the nations best ERA (0.80). He also struck out 114 batters in only 79 innings of work.
Wacha, a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, recorded a 9-2 record with a 2.90 ERA and 97 strikeouts, while leading the team with 105.2 innings pitched.
Opponents Key Players
Their opening opponent, LeMoyne University, also returns many key arms. "Pitching will be one of the stronger areas of our squad. Returning all but one player from last year's teams. The staff is experienced and talented," said Scott Cassidy, LeMoyne head coach.
This fall Cassidy was very pleased with his team's defense. "Our infield provided some great defense led by SS Matt Marra and 3B Ryan Mahoney, Both were routinely making spectacular plays, not to be out done by sophmore INF Vincent Redmond. The slick-fielding infielder made web gem type plays every weekend at both 2B and 3B," Cassidy said.
The combination of talented pitching and great defense will LeMoyne a competitive team and the weekend series matchups appear to be as follows:
Matchup
Texas A&M LeMoyne
Feb. 18 6:35 Michael Wacha (So., RHP) 9-2 2.90 97K's Jeff Tardif (Sr., RHP) 6-3 3.33 52K's
Feb. 19 2:05 Ross Stripling (Jr., RHP) 6-5 4.50 89K's Cory Nelson (Sr., LHP) 2-6 5.15 50K's
Feb. 20 12:05 Nick Fleece (Sr., RHP) 1-2 3.76 23K's Derek Zielinski (So., RHP) REDSHIRT
The Aggies' next opponent is Prairie View A&M, Tuesday at Olsen Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Oscar Madison - Diamond Notes
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