The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazer Baseball To Face Strong Field At Auburn Tournament
2/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 17, 2011
Game Notes 
| Friday Gametracker |
Listen to Coach Shoop on the "Talking C-USA Baseball" podcast
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB baseball team makes the short trip to Auburn, Ala., this weekend to open its 2011 season with three games at the Auburn Tournament.
The Blazers will match up with a pair of ranked teams, facing No. 13 Virginia in Friday's season opener and No. 23 Auburn in the tournament's final game on Sunday. In between, UAB will square off with Arkansas State on Saturday. All games will be played at Auburn's Plainsman Park.
This Weekend's Schedule
Friday (2 p.m. CT) - UAB vs. #13 Virginia
Pitching Probables: RHP Ryan Woolley (UAB), LHP Danny Hultzen (UVA)
Saturday (5 p.m. CT) - UAB vs. Arkansas State
Pitching Probables: RHP Dillon Napoleon (UAB) vs. RHP Jacob Lee (ASU)
Sunday (3 p.m. CT) - UAB at #23 Auburn
Pitching Probables: RHP Michael Busby (UAB) vs. TBA (AUB)
Live Coverage
All games this weekend will have live stats available through Gametracker at uabsports.com, while Sunday's game with Auburn will feature All-Access live video through auburntigers.com.
About UAB
UAB went 28-25 last year to post its second-consecutive winning season. The Blazers are in search of a third straight winning year for the first time since 2003-05. UAB won four of its eight Conference USA series last year and finished with an 11-13 league record to tie for fifth place in a tight conference race.
Despite a relatively low number of returning players, UAB has some key veterans back on the field. Preseason all-conference center fielder Jamal Austin returns as the team's top hitter after posting a .364 average a year ago, and infielder/designated hitter John Frost is back after earning C-USA All-Freshman Team honors. Nick Crawford, one of the top defensive players in C-USA, makes the move to shortstop from second base. As a team, UAB had a lower batting average than its opponents last year but outscored the opposition 371-361, in part because it stole 15 more bases and walked 29 more times than the opponents.
On the mound, UAB welcomes the return of twice-drafted Ryan Woolley, who will start the season opener against Virginia. Saturday's starter is Dillon Napoleon, a junior college All-American who went 12-0 at that level last season. Sunday's scheduled starter is another transfer in Michael Busby, who will also be seeing his first action as a Blazer this weekend. UAB had a team ERA of 5.93 last year with 381 strikeouts and 219 walks.
UAB coach Brian Shoop is beginning his fifth year with the Blazers. He owns a record of 110-118 (.482) at the school and a career record of 802-425-1 (.654)
Scouting Virginia
Virginia enters the season ranked no lower than 17th in any of the major polls with a highest ranking of No. 13 in the NCBWA poll. The Cavaliers spent much of the 2010 season ranked No. 1 in the country, finishing the year 51-14 (23-7 ACC) and falling in three games to Oklahoma in the NCAA Super Regional.
The preseason ACC Coastal Division favorite, Virginia is led by preseason All-American and reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year Danny Hultzen. Hultzen, who went 11-1 with a 2.78 ERA last year, is slated to pitch Friday against UAB. As a team, Virginia owned a 3.89 ERA last year and held opponents to a .238 batting average.
Virginia returns 22 letterwinners, including infielder Steven Proscia, who hit .314 with 10 home runs, 18 doubles and 65 RBI last year. The Cavaliers also return two of their top three batting average leaders from 2010 in infielder Keith Werman (.414) and outfielder John Barr (.373). Virginia hit for a team average of .331 a season ago.
Virginia is coached by Brian O'Connor. Now in his eighth year with the Cavaliers, O'Connor owns a career record of 316-118-1 (.728).
Scouting Arkansas State
Arkansas State went 30-28 (16-14 Sun Belt) in 2010. The Red Wolves finished tied for sixth in the final Sun Belt standings but were just two games out of third.
Offensively, Arkansas State returns three of its top four hitters from last season in first baseman Jordan Castaldo (.363, 20 doubles, 39 RBI), infielder/outfielder Todd Baumgartner (.336, 14 doubles, 42 RBI) and outfielder Michael Faulkner (.336, 12 doubles, 25 RBI). The Red Wolves posted a team batting average of .312 last season compared to .289 for their opponents.
On the mound, Arkansas State welcomes back its top pitcher from last year in Jacob Lee, who is scheduled to face UAB on Saturday. Lee went 8-3 with a 3.80 ERA in 2010 and held opponents to a .246 batting average. As a team, the Red Wolves posted a 5.02 ERA last year.
Tommy Raffo is entering his third season at the helm of the Arkansas State program and owns a two-year record of 53-58 (.477). He played for and coached under current UAB volunteer assistant coach Ron Polk at Mississippi State.
Scouting Auburn
Auburn enters the season ranked as high as No. 23 in the NCBWA and ESPN/USA Today polls. The Tigers are coming off an SEC West Division championship last year, finishing 2010 at 43-21 (20-10 SEC). Auburn hosted an NCAA Regional last year, falling to Clemson in the title game.
Auburn led the nation in home runs last year with 131, but the Tigers must replace their top three home run hitters in Hunter Morris, Brian Fletcher and Trent Mummey, who combined for 62 long balls in 2010. However, the Tigers return outfielder/first baseman Kevin Patterson (16 home runs, 33 RBI) and catcher/outfielder Tony Caldwell (10 home runs, 41 RBI) along with two of their top five batting average hitters from last year in infielder Dan Gamache (.365) and outfielder Justin Fradejas (.358).
On the mound, Auburn managed a team ERA of 5.00 last year, totaling 484 strikeouts and 220 walks. The Tigers' starter for Sunday against UAB has yet to be determined.
Auburn coach John Pawlowski is beginning his third season at Auburn and owns a 74-46 (.617) record with the Tigers. He is 412-238-1 (.634) overall in 11 years as a head coach.
All-Time Versus This Weekend's Opponents
In Sunday's matchup, UAB and Auburn will renew their series for the first time since 2004. Auburn won both meetings that year. The Blazers trail the Tigers 41-9 in the all-time series. UAB's last victory over Auburn came with a 5-3 road win on April 30, 1996, and the Blazers enter this weekend looking to snap a 14-game losing streak to the Tigers.
UAB and Virginia have met just twice with the Blazers winning both contests. The Blazers swept a two-game series from the Cavaliers in 1987, winning by scores of 21-6 and 9-8 in Birmingham.
UAB and Arkansas State will be meeting this weekend for the first time on the diamond.
