By FullertonBaseballFan
#2 Seed – Georgia Southern Eagles
Overall Record – 42-15
Conference Record – 20-8 (2nd place)
How they qualified for a regional – Won the Southern Conference Tournament (Davidson 4-3 in 11 innings, Appalachian State 6-5, Furman 16-4, Elon 7-3)
Last Regional Appearance – 2002
RPI/ISR – 32/39
Season Summary
Georgia Southern went 33-25 in 2008 despite averaging 10 runs per game, hitting 114 HR’s and having 109 SB’s because of a pitching staff that had a 7.04 ERA. The Eagles expected to contend for a regional this season if they were able to get better pitching with several of the hitters returning who were able to take advantage of the short dimensions at their home ballpark (330 to the lines, 360 to the alleys, 385 to CF) that helped them put up those strong numbers. Georgia Southern is 7-6 against teams that qualified for the regional field and had a 108 SOS according to Boyd’s World.
The Eagles did pad their stats with early series romps against Presbyterian and Coppin State but they also went 3-2 in non-conf games against Georgia Tech and East Carolina, including a 23-3 midweek bludgeoning of the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Southern doesn’t have quite the HR power that they had last season but they are a very consistent lineup with eight players hitting over .300 and five hitters with double digit HR’s. The Friday SP for the Eagles has been very good and the other two weekend SP’s have done enough to get games to a bullpen that has been solid. Georgia Southern is 33-1 when leading after 7 innings and 34-0 when leading after 8 innings.
Offense
Park Factor according to Boyd’s World – 116 (increases offense by 16%).
Batting Average – .324 (NCAA ranking - 36)
Runs Per Game – 9.6 (5)
Home Runs – 80 (31)
Stolen Bases – 50 (182)
Slugging Percentage – .507 (44)
Walks – 268 (23)
HBP’s – 105 (6)
Sac Bunts – 33 (99)
Batting Order
LF Roman Grimaldi (LH – .329 in 73 AB’s). OF reserves are Randy Williams (RH – .286 in 70 AB’s) and Jonathan King (RH – .246-1-18-3). King is tied for team lead with 34 BB’s in only 126 AB’s.
CF Ty Wright (RH – .331-11-58-15). Leads team in R’s and SB’s. 2nd on team in RBI’s. Very good BB/K ratio (29/26). Hit .398 with 17 HR and 52 RBI in 2008.
C Griffin Benedict (LH – .401-11-61-8). 2nd team all-conf. Leads team in RBI, OBP (.522) and HBP’s (23). Tied for team lead with 34 BB’s. Tied for 2nd in HR’s. 2nd on team in SLG (.627). Very good BB/K ratio (34/29).
RF Phillip Porter (RH – .368-11-50-11). 2nd on team in BA, OBP and SB’s. Tied for 2nd in HR’s. Leads team with 45 K’s.
DH Kyle Blackburn (LH – .314-11-26-0). Leads team in SLG (.744). 11 HR’s and 21 K’s in only 86 AB’s.
3B A.J. Wirnsberger (RH – .332-13-57-2). Leads team in HR’s. Had even better power #’s in 2008 with 21 HR and 74 RBI.
1B Eric Phillips (RH – .328-3-41-3). 2nd on team with 6 SAC bunts.
SS Brian Pierce (RH – .353-3-41-0). Returning starter is 3rd on team in BA.
2B Kevin Bowles (RH – .285-3-32-1). 2nd on team with 13 HBP’s and leads team with 8 SAC bunts.
Defense
Fielding .974 (15) – 55 errors. Good fielding team around the infield. Wright and Porter have good speed in the OF.
Double Plays – 60 (21)
Stolen Base Attempts – 40-62 against Benedict. Benedict has picked off three runners and the team has picked off 16 runners.
WP’s/PB’s Allowed – 52
Pitching
ERA – 4.95 (71)
BA – .290
HR – 57
H’s/9 IP – 10.18 (95)
BB’s/9 IP – 3.74 (112)
K’s/9 IP – 8.1 (37)
Starting Pitchers
Chris Mederos (RHP – 11-1, 3.66 ERA, 15 starts, 93 IP, 92 H, 29 BB, 112 K, .264 BA, 5 HR, 9 HBP, 5 WP). 1st team all-conf. Hard thrower is 5th in the country in wins and 12th in K’s. Allowed 3 R or less in each of his last four starts. 7-12 SB’s. Picked off four runners.
Jake Brown (LHP – 6-3, 4.54 ERA, 16 apps, 11 starts, 81 IP, 97 H, 22 BB, 58 K, .298 BA, 10 HR, 7 HBP, 3 WP). Allowed 4+ R in last three starts after allowing only 3 R total in two previous starts. Tied for team lead in HR allowed. 13-16 SB’s.
Matt Murray (RHP – 6-3, 4.76 ERA, 15 apps, 13 starts, 1 save, 74 IP, 81 H, 27 BB, 60 K, .287 BA, 8 HR, 8 HBP, 5 WP). Held Furman to 1 R on 3 H with 11 K in 7 IP in the conf tournament. 8-15 SB’s.
Andy Moye (RHP – 5-1, 6.60 ERA, 16 apps, 13 starts, 61 IP, 73 H, 27 BB, 52 K, .307 BA, 10 HR, 7 HBP, 7 WP). Midweek SP.
Relief Pitchers
Closer – Kyle Kamppi (RHP – 3-2, 3.86 ERA, 30 apps, 8 saves, 37 IP, 44 H, 20 BB, 39 K, .291 BA, 4 HR, 2 HBP, 5 WP). Able to go several innings after being a part-time SP last season.
Dexter Bobo (LHP – 2-2, 6.62 ERA, 27 apps, 3 saves, 34 IP, 37 H, 18 BB, 32 K, .276 BA, 7 HR, 4 HBP, 3 WP).
Charles Matthews (RHP – 2-0, 3.93 ERA, 28 apps, 1 save, 34 IP, 35 H, 21 BB, 30 K, .280 BA, 2 HR, 10 HBP, 2 WP).
Collin Snow (RHP – 4-2, 3.64 ERA, 17 apps, 3 starts, 42 IP, 46 H, 17 BB, 33 K, .279 BA, 4 HR, 2 HBP, 5 WP).
Michael Hester (RHP – 3-0, 6.75 ERA, 14 apps, 2 starts, 23 IP, 26 H, 9 BB, 23 K, .289 BA, 2 HR, 3 HBP, 2 WP).
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#3 Seed – Gonzaga Bulldogs
Overall Record – 35-16
Conference Record – 14-7 (1st place)
How they qualified for a regional – Won the West Coast Conference championship series (Loyola Marymount 4-3, 14-3).
Last Regional Appearance – 1981
RPI/ISR – 43/20
Season Summary
Gonzaga came into this season with pretty high expectations after going 30-23 in 2008 and returning seven regular position players and most of their pitching staff. The Bulldogs have been a consistent team and have only had two weekends where they didn’t win their series/tournament. Gonzaga has only played nine games against teams that qualified for the regional field and went 5-4 in those games (including 1-1 against Utah) and has a 46 SOS according to Boyd’s World. The Bulldogs took control of the WCC race early with series wins against Pepperdine and San Diego and finished things off with back to back series wins against Loyola Marymount to end the season. Gonzaga doesn’t have a prolific offense but that hasn’t been necessary because their pitching staff has put up some of the best numbers in the country, including two strong SP’s who have combined to go 16-2.
Offense
Park Factor according to Boyd’s World – 99 (decreases offense by 1%).
Batting Average – .297 (159)
Runs Per Game – 6.8 (142)
Home Runs – 35 (214)
Stolen Bases – 40 (237)
Slugging Percentage – .429 (198)
Walks – 189 (190)
HBP’s – 94 (15)
Sac Bunts – 29 (147)
Batting Order
2B Evan Wells (LH – .313-0-24-12). Leads team with 55 R’s, 31 BB’s, .450 OBP, 12 SB’s and 6 SAC bunts. Very good BB/K ratio (30/25).
CF Drew Heid (LH – .350-2-37-9). Good speed. 2nd on team in BA. 5th in the country with eight 3B’s.
C Tyson Van Winkle (RH – .361-5-54-0). 1st team all-conf. Leads team in BA and SLG.
1B Ryan Wiegand (LH – .330-6-62-1). 1st team all-conf. Leads team in RBI. Good BB/K ratio (26/29). Had 3 HR and 8 RBI in the series clinching game against LMU last weekend.
DH Anthony Synegal (RH – .329-6-32-3). 1st team all-conf. Tied for 2nd in HR’s.
LF Mark Castellitto (RH – .273-8-39-3). Leads team in HR’s.
3B Jason Chatwood (RH – .238-4-23-5). Hit .316 and played SS last season before moving over to 3B this year.
RF Grant Kveder (RH – .217 in 92 AB’s) or Chris Sturdivant (RH – .333 in 45 AB’s). Kveder hit .322 as the starting catcher in 2008.
SS Ernesto Ortiz (LH – .300-0-19-7). Leads team with 60 K’s.
Defense
Fielding .970 (49) – 57 errors. Beltran has decent range but has committed 18 errors. Chatwood has committed 9 errors after committing 29 errors last season at SS. Wells has committed only 6 errors. Heid has very good range in CF.
Double Plays – 45 (143)
Stolen Base Attempts – 36-56 against Van Winkle.
WP’s/PB’s Allowed – 38
Pitching
ERA – 4.21 (20)
BA – .276
HR – 41
H’s/9 IP – 9.69 (62)
BB’s/9 IP – 3.36 (54)
K’s/9 IP – 7.8 (54)
Starting Pitchers
Matt Fields (RHP – 8-1, 2.86 ERA, 13 starts, 2 CG, 88 IP, 89 H, 28 BB, 73 K, .264 BA, 3 HR, 5 HBP, 4 WP). WCC Pitcher of the Year. Ground ball pitcher with good stuff and good control. Beat LMU 4-3 in each of his last two starts. 2008 – 8-3, 4.92 ERA, 12 GS, 79 IP.
Steven Ames (RHP – 8-1, 3.51 ERA, 13 starts, 3 CG, 90 IP, 95 H, 17 BB, 66 K, .273 BA, 6 HR, 6 HBP, 6 WP). Outstanding control but has been hit a little harder than Fields because he stuff isn’t quite as good and he is around the plate more.
A.J. Proszek (RHP – 2-1, 3.09 ERA, 12 apps, 4 starts, 3 saves, 47 IP, 49 H, 13 BB, 24 K, .278 BA, 1 HR, 6 HBP, 2 WP). Moved into the rotation the last month of the season and went 7 IP in each of his last two starts. 2008 – 3-4, 4.92 ERA, 10 starts, 60 IP.
Ryan Carpenter (LHP – 6-3, 4.82 ERA, 14 apps, 11 starts, 62 IP, 65 H, 27 BB, 62 K, .278 BA, 5 HR, 2 HBP, 4 WP).
Relief Pitchers
Closer – Cody Martin (RHP – 5-4, 3.31 ERA, 21 apps, 4 starts, 6 saves, 54 IP, 47 H, 30 BB, 60 K, .233 BA, 9 HR, 2 HBP, 5 WP). Hard thrower but wild and prone to giving up HR’s. 2008 – 4-1, 2.80 ERA, 9 saves.
Reedy Berg (LHP – 3-4, 5.75 ERA, 16 apps, 4 starts, 41 IP, 45 H, 11 BB, 43 K, .281 BA, 8 HR, 4 HBP, 3 WP).
Tyler Olson (LHP – 1-1, 5.09 ERA, 11 apps, 18 IP, 20 H, 8 BB, 19 K, .290 BA, 2 HR, 2 HBP, 0 WP).
Jacob Hiatt (RHP – 1-1, 4.91 ERA, 12 apps, 1 save, 15 IP, 18 H, 10 BB, 17 K, .286 BA, 3 HR, 1 HBP, 1 WP).
Andy Hunter (RHP – 1-0, 4.82 ERA, 11 apps, 19 IP, 20 H, 6 BB, 20 K, .270 BA, 1 HR, 6 HBP, 2 WP).
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#4 Seed – Utah Utes
Overall Record – 26-29
Conference Record – 8-16 (6th place)
How they qualified for a regional – Won the Mountain West Conference Tournament (BYU 2-1, TCU 9-7, San Diego State 8-9, San Diego State 4-1, TCU 6-4, San Diego State 9-3)
Last Regional Appearance – 1960
RPI/ISR – 91/78
Season Summary
Utah won only two of thirteen weekend series (against Cal State Bakersfield and Air Force) but were only swept twice. Despite that poor series record, Utah has a 30 SOS according to Boyd’s World and is 12-13 against teams that made the regional field including wins against fellow Fullerton regional member Gonzaga (1) as well as TCU (4), San Diego State (3), UC Irvine (1), Texas A&M (1), Washington State (1) and Sam Houston State (1). Utah was the longshot in the MWC Tournament before getting on a hot streak and pulling off several upsets on their way to the tournament championship. The Utes have a solid offense but they don’t have gaudy numbers like you would expect for a MWC team that plays most of their game at high altitude. After their #1 starter Utah has struggled with getting consistent outings from the rest of their pitching staff but they did pitch very well in the conference tournament except for an 8th inning meltdown in their loss to San Diego State.
Offense
Park Factor according to Boyd’s World – 110 (increases offense by 10%).
Batting Average – .301 (142)
Runs Per Game – 6.9 (137)
Home Runs – 54 (109)
Stolen Bases – 55 (159)
Slugging Percentage – .454 (143)
Walks – 210 (134)
HBP’s – 46 (206)
Sac Bunts – 52 (20)
Batting Order
2B Corey Shimada (LH – .335-6-36-16). 2nd team all-conf. Leads team with 58 R’s and 42 BB’s. Hit .329 and stole 21 bases in 2008.
LF Tyler Yagi (RH – .323-0-30-1). Second on team with 8 SAC bunts.
3B Nick Kuroczko (LH – .351-5-37-4). Leads team in BA and OBP. Second on team in SLG and walks (39).
C/DH C.J. Cron (RH – .341-9-51-1). MWC FR of the YR. Leads team in HR and RBI.
DH/C Devin Walker (RH – .327-8-35-0). Leads team in SLG. Tied for 2nd in HR’s.
1B Austin Jones (RH – .280-8-46-3). Second on team in RBI’s and tied for 2nd in HR’s. 2nd on team with 41 K’s.
RF Rick Cornu (RH – .274-8-29-8). Tied for 2nd in HR’s.
CF Cooper Blanc (RH – .222-6-23-9). Hit .345 and stole 14 bases in 2008.
SS Michael Beltran (RH – .300-0-19-7). Leads team with 11 SAC bunts and 53 K’s. Hit .372 in 2008.
Defense
Fielding .966 (95) – 74 errors. Beltran has good range but has committed 17 errors. Kuroczko has committed 12 errors. Shimada has committed only 6 errors.
Double Plays – 49 (89)
Stolen Base Attempts – 41-53 against two main catchers. Cron 23-29. Walker 18-24. Cron has picked off five runners and Utah has picked off 21 runners.
WP’s/PB’s Allowed – 53
Pitching
ERA – 5.76 (142)
BA – .306
HR – 44
H’s/9 IP – 11.16 (178)
BB’s/9 IP – 3.48 (70)
K’s/9 IP – 7.2 (98)
Starting Pitchers
Jodan Whatcott (RHP – 5-2, 3.59 ERA, 16 apps, 14 starts, 1 save, 85 IP, 76 H, 43 BB, 61 K, .247 BA, 2 HR, 13 HBP, 6 WP). 2nd team all-conf. Easily the best and most consistent SP. Has wins against UC Irvine and Texas A&M. Won two games in MWC Tournament (BYU, San Diego State) and save another game (TCU). Picked off 7 runners. 4-10 SB’s.
Brian Budrow (RHP – 5-5, 5.32 ERA, 15 apps, 14 starts, 1 save, 93 IP, 112 H, 29 BB, 74 K, .296 BA, 5 HR, 9 HBP, 12 WP). Friday SP (Whatcott started during the season on Sundays). Won his start against TCU in the MWC tournament and saved a game against San Diego State. Was more effective in 2008 (6-5, 3.49 ERA, 13 starts, 80 IP).
Andrew Wilding (RHP – 2-5, 6.05 ERA, 13 apps, 13 starts, 74 IP, 96 H, 13 BB, 44 K, .319 BA, 9 HR, 8 HBP, 3 WP). Held San Diego State to 2 R on 6 H in 7 1/3 IP in his start in the MWC Tournament.
Bryn Card (LHP – 5-2, 5.67 ERA, 16 apps, 11 starts, 60 IP, 73 H, 23 BB, 48 K, .304 BA, 9 HR, 4 HBP, 1 WP). Held TCU to 3 R on 7 H in 5 2/3 IP in his start in the MWC Tournament.
Relief Pitchers
Closer – Greg Krause (RHP – 1-4, 5.09 ERA, 29 apps, 4 saves, 41 IP, 52 H, 15 BB, 45 K, .301 BA, 6 HR, 7 HBP, 3 WP). Had two saves in MWC Tournament and allowed 1 R (0 ER) in 5 2/3 IP in three appearances.
Stephen Streich (LHP – 2-3, 6.03 ERA, 25 apps, 2 saves, 34 IP, 48 H, 18 BB, 27 K, .338 BA, 4 HR, 3 HBP, 3 WP).
Tyler Andersen (LHP – 1-1, 7.71 ERA, 19 apps, 23 IP, 37 H, 5 BB, 19 K, .356 BA, 0 HR, 3 HBP, 0 WP).
Robert Chimpky (RHP – 2-2, 8.62 ERA, 23 apps, 3 saves, 24 IP, 35 H, 14 BB, 27 K, .347 BA, 5 HR, 5 HBP, 3 WP).
Bennett Askew (RHP – 1-4, 9.13 ERA, 17 apps, 24 IP, 32 H, 9 BB, 25 K, .327 BA, 3 HR, 4 HBP, 1 WP).
Joe Pond (RHP – 1-1, 8.61 ERA, 15 apps, 2 starts, 23 IP, 36 H, 17 BB, 20 K, .364 BA, 1 HR, 2 HBP, 4 WP).
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