The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
2007 Season Preview: Catchers
1/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 24, 2007
Each Monday and Wednesday leading up to UAB's first game of the season with Central Michigan on Feb. 16, UABsports.com will preview the 2007 Blazers. We now take a look at the Blazers catchers. Next week we will go around the horn and spotlight the UAB infield on Monday and then feature the outfield on Wednesday.
Senior Danny Sawyer returns behind the plate this season after being one of three players to start in all 57 games for the Blazers last season. Sawyer led the team in batting average (.305), RBI (47) and doubles (16), while ranking second in home runs with seven. He was also impressive behind the plate, leading Conference USA in caught stealing putouts, while boasting a fielding percentage of .975.
"Danny is the returning starter behind the plate and the thing that has been most impressive to me was his leadership skills," Shoop said. "He possesses these intangible qualities I look for that will help him lead this team. He is one of the leading hitters returning but has to get better behind the plate by cutting down on passed balls."
Also vying for time behind the plate is junior transfer Ben Shelley who came to UAB after spending two seasons at Wallace Community College where he hit .340 in his sophomore season with seven home runs and 58 RBI. Redshirt freshman Kevin Cope adds depth at the catcher position after he sat out last season due to injury.
"Ben is a great student, he's a Dean's List guy and to me that translates on to the field. He's an intelligent kid with a good work ethic," Shoop said. "Kevin had been out a year with arm problems and was out for the fall. He is a great kid and has a tremendous attitude. Right now we just want him to be healthy."
Three others that could slide in behind the plate are freshman Andrew Manning and sophomores Brint Hardy and Allen Aubin.
Catchers:
- Allen Aubin (So.) Transfer from Birmingham-Southern. Hit .283 with 36 RBI in 51 games at BSC as a freshman in 2006.
- Kevin Cope (So.) Did not play in 2006. Played his high school baseball at Briarwood Christian in Birmingham where he was named Shelby County Player of the Year his senior season.
- Brint Hardy (So.) Transfer from Birmingham-Southern. Hit .346 with 31 RBI and 18 stolen bases in his freshman season at BSC in 2006.
- Andrew Manning (Fr.) Played four years at LaGrange HS in LaGrange, Ga. Named to Team Georgia his junior year.
- Danny Sawyer (Sr.) Made 57 starts and hit .305 with 47 RBI and 16 doubles in 2006 (All team highs).
- Ben Shelley (Jr.) Transfer from Wallace CC. Hit .340 his sophomore season at Wallace, driving in 58 runs and hitting seven home runs.
