The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Ward, Metcalf Named C-USA "Players to Watch"
1/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 19, 2006
IRVING, Texas -- Junior third baseman Zac Ward and senior shortstop Ryan Metcalf were tabbed as Conference USA "Players to Watch" by the league's coaches on Wednesday.
The two Blazer standouts will patrol the left side of the infield for Larry Giangrosso's squad in the 2006 season and look to continue building a solid foundation for the UAB baseball program, which won 14 league games last season and qualified for its second consecutive C-USA Tournament.
Metcalf, a native of Pelham, Ala., started 57 games at shortstop last season for the Blazers. He tied for second on the team with six stolen bases, and was third on the squad with 39 runs scored. The senior was a clutch run producer as well, batting .385 with runners in scoring position. He had an outstanding series against Charlotte last April 29-May 1, going 6-for-11 with two RBI and five runs scored.
Ward, in his third season for the Blazers, has been entrenched at the hot corner since he stepped foot on campus. He has started 117 consecutive games for UAB at third base. Ward led the team with 48 RBI and tied for the team lead with 14 doubles. The former Hartselle standout also set career-highs in at-bats (233), home runs (6), RBI (48), stolen bases (3) and walks (23). The junior led the Blazers with 15 multiple-RBI games, including a series against Louisville where he went 4-for-8 with a home run and three RBI.
The Blazers open the season at home on February 17, as they host Mid-American Conference foe Ball State at Young Memorial Stadium at 6:00 p.m. CT.
CONFERENCE USA PLAYERS TO WATCH T.J. Hose, Sophomore, Pitcher, East Carolina Adam Witter, Senior, First Baseman/Designated Hitter, East Carolina Dustin Kingsbury, Junior, Infielder, Houston Brad Lincoln, Junior, Pitcher/Infielder, Houston Adam Frederick, Senior, Infielder, Marshall Adam Ptacek, Senior, Outfielder, Marshall Adam Amar, Junior, First Baseman, Memphis Drew Jaudon, Senior, Pitcher, Memphis Josh Rodriguez, Junior, Shortstop, Rice Joe Savery, Sophomore, Pitcher/Infielder, Rice Daniel Best, Senior, Pitcher, Southern Miss Marc Maddox, Senior, Infielder, Southern Miss Mark Hamilton, Junior, Infielder, Tulane Nathan Southard, Senior, Outfielder, Tulane Ryan Metcalf, Senior, Shortstop, UAB Zac Ward, Junior, Third Baseman, UAB Tim Bascom, Junior, Pitcher, UCF Matt Ray, Junior, Infielder, UCF
