2018 PREVIEW GUIDE. University of Houston Club Baseball

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1 Team Name: Mascot: Location: Cougar University of Houston Club Baseball Houston, TX Captain(s)/Coach(s): Kyle Grahmann, Derek Dickerson, Jacob Izaguirre Performance: Record: 4-6 Final Conference Ranking/World Series Results: 3rd/Did not make playoffs Notables: Number of Returning Players (Include conference/league award winners): Kyle Grahmann Derek Dickerson Jacob Izaguirre Andrew Escamilla Patrick Kielkowski Collin Knutson Danilo Meza Adrian Randolph Players to Watch: Kyle Grahmann Derek Dickerson Michael Goodman New additions: Carlos Inuguez David Hatamleh Eddie Galvan Ethan Minter Joseph Newell Michael Goodman Mohammad Kassim Biggest Rival: LSU

2 Best Player Nickname: Daddy 2018 Season Outlook: Looking to win our conference Manager Quote: Astros all the way baby!!!!

3 Team Name: Baylor Mascot: Bears Location: Waco, TX Captain(s)/Coach(s): President: Thomas Stivala Coach: Josh Riegel Performance (LAST SEASON): Season Record: 20-7 Overall 15-3 Conference Final Conference Ranking/World Series Results: Back-to-Back Conference Champions - Final top 20 ranking was #13 Notables: Runner-up in Gulf Coast Regional Tournement Fall 2017 Performance (If applicable to your team) 2017 Fall Record (NCBA Conference & Non-Conference Games Only): 7-3 Notables: Runner-up at Woodwars in Euless, TX Number of Returning Players (Include conference/league award winners): 14 Returning Players to Watch: Jake Whitehead (1B/OF/P), William Stinchcomb (P) New additions: Quick freshman have worked into our outfield and top of our line up. A handful of powerful new arms ranging from freshman to juniors will fill out middle relief. Biggest Rival: Texas Tech Best Player Nickname: Vector Season Outlook: We look to make it as back-to-back-to-back Conference champs. The making the World Series is our realistic, and attainable goal.

4 Manager Quote: We have the team. We have the ability. We have the people to do it. We have the coaching, depth, everything to get [to the World Series] this year."

5 Team Name: University of Texas at San Antonio Mascot: Roadrunners Location: San Antonio, Tx Captain(s)/Coach(s): Nick Zamora - President, Shawn Garrett - Vice President, Chris Olvera - Treasurer and Secretary, Ryan Ebel - Team Captain Performance (LAST SEASON): Season Record: 9-12 Final Conference Ranking/World Series Results: 3rd in Gulf Coast Conference Notables: Season sweep over UT, Series win over World Series participant Texas State, Above.500 home record Fall 2017 Performance (If applicable to your team) 2017 Fall Record (NCBA Conference & Non-Conference Games Only): 4-2 record overall Notables: 2-1 record at Wood Wars, Series win at SFA, Outscored oppenents Number of Returning Players (Include conference/league award winners): 12 returners, (7 starters) Players to Watch: Carlos Vera, Connor Hannigan, Erik Russell, Lane Sanders, Matt Austria, New additions: Choche Rodriguez, Isaiah Mendoza, Jared Gutierrez, Lane Sanders, Michael Tabhan, Michael Rodriguez, and Quanah Locust Biggest Rival: Texas State University Best Player Nickname: Connor Hannigan (@connor_hannigan) - "Collosus of (Twitter) Clout" Season Outlook: The UTSA Roadrunners are looking to build off of a strong Fall 2017 season. Not only will the Roadrunners be returning double digit players from last years team, they will be adding an impressive group of freshman that are eager to make an immediate impact on the field. The Roadrunners will be challenging themselves early with a difficult non-conference opponent in the

6 University of Houston followed by a conference schedule that is second to none in difficulty. After defeating last year's Gulf Coast Conference champion in a three game series, it should come as no surprise if UTSA sits atop the Gulf Coast Conference and makes the 1,400 mile trip to Holly Springs, North Carolina in a run for the National Championship. Manager Quote: "Entering my fourth year of representing UTSA, and my second as President of UTSA Club Baseball, I couldn't be more excited about our group of student athletes. In a short amount of time, we have overcome many obstacles and are ready to climb to the top of the Rawlings Top 20 Rankings. This year, we will be combining the leadership from experienced upperclassmen with a talented pool of incoming freshman. Through a successful Fall season, we have grown to be a fun, energetic team that has the talent and desire to win the Gulf Coast Conference and make our first trip to the World Series. The road to Holly Springs starts now. Go 'Runners!" - Nick Zamora, President of UTSA Club Baseball

7 Team Name: Mascot: Location: University of North Texas Mean Green Denton, TX Captain(s)/Coach(s): Tommy Kim (President) / Jason Foley (Vice President) / Tyler Guy (Secretary) Performance: Record: Final Conference Ranking/World Series Results: 3rd Notables: Number of Returning Players (Include conference/league award winners): 7 Players to Watch: Rodriguez (Jr) Benton Russell (Fr) / Jason Foley (Sr) / Justin Gray (Jr) / Chadlacane New additions: Benton Russell, Chadlacane Rodriguez, Cain Robinson Biggest Rival: Texas Tech Red Raiders Best Player Nickname: Bo 2018 Season Outlook: Looking to bounce back from a disappointing year. We ve established that we re a top contender in our conference and we look forward to having 18 competitive games this spring. Manager Quote: Send it

8 Team Name: Mascot: Location: Texas State University Bobcats San Marcos, Tx Captain(s)/Coach(s): President/Head Coach: Nick Easley VP/Assistant Coach: Derrick Rucka Assistant Coach: Kyle Kuntschik Senior Captain: Micah Lett Performance: Record: overall (12-6 conference), 3-0 at regionals, 1-2 at World Series Final Conference Ranking/World Series Results: 2nd Gulf Coast South, Gulf Coast Champions, 5th place at World Series Notables: 1st D1 World Series Appearance Number of Returning Players (Include conference/league award winners): 15 returners (possibly more depending on injury and walk-ons) Derrick Rucka (1st Team All-Region IF and P), Landon Bynum (2nd Team All-Region 3B), Dalton Deming (3rd Team All-Region P, possible return- currently a walk-on with varsity), Lane Vrba (2nd Team All-Region P, possible return- injured) Players to Watch: Derrick Rucka, David Molnar, Landon Bynum, Kevin Frederick, Nick Lutzel, Kameron Craft, Zach Spanos, Raul Espinal New additions: Kameron Craft (P-North Lake), Garret Sparkman (P/IF), Raul Espinal (P), Cody Cabrera (P/IF), Heath Weimer (OF), Sam Dandy (P/1B) Biggest Rival: Texas A&M Best Player Nickname: Daddy Dew 2018 Season Outlook: The Bobcats are built for another deep playoff run and this team has what it takes to win it all. Although we lost 4-year Catcher Zack Rash, this team has all the leadership it needs from last year. The one thing we needed was pitching and we added 6 pitchers to our roster to go along with Derrick Rucka (9-1) on the mound. Offense is the least of our concern as we scored 63 runs in our six playoff games last year. There are no holes in this lineup 1-9 and the depth on the mound and in the field is more than we have ever had before. Majority of the team is utility players, as seen last year and in the fall, currently all but 5 players will play multiple positions. Look for the upperclassmen in the field to guide this young but experienced pitching staff to a Gulf Coast South Championship, this team has been preparing for opening day since our last fall scrimmage and no one will take anything less than a trip back to Holly Springs, NC Manager Quote: Set the tone ; if we can do this from day 1 than the leadership and veterans on this team will take us to where we need to be

9 Team Name: Mascot: Location: Tulane University Green Wave New Orleans, LA Captain(s)/Coach(s): Dan Iavarone, Dan Capone Performance: Record: 10-9 Notables: Dan Iavarone- First Team All-American Number of Returning Players (Include conference/league award winners): 14 returning players Dan Iavarone- First Team All-American Players to Watch: Dan Iavarone Jack Hendricks Matt Kogan New additions: Peyton Hopkins Brandon Thomas Bruno Aurnhammer Thomas McDonald Biggest Rival: LSU Best Player Nickname: Hot Sauce 2018 Season Outlook: After a year off, our ace Matt Kogan is back for his 5th year, along with a bunch of new transfer and freshmen pitchers. Tulane Club Baseball has never has a bullpen in its existence, and this year we have a lot of young arms. As long as our hitters are able to build chemistry and produce at the same time, Tulane should be a team to fear.

10 Team Name: Mascot: Location: University of Texas at Austin Longhorns Austin, Texas Captain(s)/Coach(s): Clay Hodges - President Travis Hlavinka - Vice President Performance: Record: 6-17 (4-13 GC South) Final Conference Ranking/World Series Results: 4th in Gulf Coast South Notables: Jonathan Randall - 1st Team All-Region Pitcher John Thomas - 3rd Team All-Region Outfielder Number of Returning Players (Include conference/league award winners): 11 Returning Members Award winners Johnathan Randall and John Thomas Players to Watch: Jonathan Randall, John Thomas, Connor Kraus, Josh Matthews, Will Hansen New additions: 10 New Members Alejandro Romo, Austin Leonard, Cody Mysliwiec, Josh Heard, Josh Matthews, Mario Quintanilla, Miles Okamoto, Remington Linda, Wade Corn, Will Hansen Biggest Rival: Texas A&M Best Player Nickname: John Johnny Tryouts Thomas 2018 Season Outlook: After a down season, Texas has reloaded with some live young arms and some big bats. The senior leadership combined with some young talent, as well as finally having middle infielders and a bullpen, should allow the Horns to make a run at the Regional Championship.

11 Team Name: Texas Tech Mascot: Red Raiders Location: Lubbock, Texas Captain(s)/Coach(s): Tyler Crupper, Sam Swindle, Garrett Hudson Performance (LAST SEASON): Season Record: 20-5 Final Conference Ranking/World Series Results: Finished 2 nd in Gulf Coast North Notables: Had 4 members make the first team All-Region for the Gulf Coast Fall 2017 Performance (If applicable to your team) 2017 Fall Record (NCBA Conference & Non-Conference Games Only): Notables: Number of Returning Players (Include conference/league award winners): Dawson Wright, Joseph Arwine, Diego Gonzalez, Garrett Hudson, Christopher Patterson (2 nd team All-Region), Sam Swindle (1 st team All-Region), Tyler Crupper (1 st team All Region, 1 st team All American) Players to Watch: Tyler Crupper, Sam Swindle, Garrett Hudson, Christopher Patterson, Dawson Wright New additions: Mitchell Taylor, Zach Walker, Bryan Rodriguez, Grant Ellis, J.D. Alvarez, Jeremy Gonzales, Luke Brinkley, Matt Whalen, Ryan Orefice Biggest Rival: Baylor University Best Player Nickname: Matt "Paradise" Whalen Season Outlook: Coming off a year featuring a very high powered offensive attack leading them to a 20-5 overall record, Texas Tech is looking to take the next step into the postseason and then furthering that stretch all the way to Holly Springs, NC. With upgrades in pitching, and by also adding power to the lineup, Texas Tech is ready to roll for the 2018 season.

12 Manager Quote: We're gonna go out there and put the best 9 on the field and play to the best of our abilities. Hopefully, we can do enough little things right and the ball bounces our way so we can leave the park with a win.

13 Team Name: Texas A&M University Mascot: Aggies Location: College Station, Texas Captain(s)/Coach(s): Elijah Hirschmann (Head Coach) and Hunter Ranly (President) Performance: Record: 19W - 9L Final Conference Ranking/World Series Results: Gulf Coast South Champions Notables: Number of Returning Players (Include conference/league award winners): 16 Returning Players Total 3rd Team All Region: Elijah Hirschmann and Bradley Dorer 2nd Team All Region: Aaron Slone and Kameron Page Players to Watch: Elijah Hirschmann returns for his final year of club ball to lead the team as the new head coach and looks to make this last season his best yet, both as a leader and an offensive producer. Kyle Hlavinka proved to be dominate in conference play last season on the mound and plans to continue fooling batters with his plus off-speed again this go around. New additions: New utility player Lorenzo Delgado provides more all around depth in the infield and a solid bat at the end of the line-up to turn things over again. Jacob Garcia, 1st baseman and pitcher, standing tall at 6 5 and weighing 245 pounds looks to bring the long ball back to the middle of the lineup as well as continue the tradition of hard throwing Aggie closers with his low 90s fastball. The Aggies have also added a plethora of new arms to the bullpen, giving more stability to the middle relief innings that had previously been hit or miss. Biggest Rival: Texas State Best Player Nickname: George Michael The Mouth Swift 2018 Season Outlook: While several key players from past season graduated, the new additions to the team prove to be promising. Our pitching staff is full and we are deeper than we have been in previous years at almost every position. We fully expect to compete at the same level we have in previous seasons in conference play and look forward to redeeming last years poor performance at regionals.

14 Manager Quote: The new guys we picked up have put a lot of pressure on returning players, as competition for starting spots has been fierce. Its causing everyone to practice and play at a higher level this off season and I m excited to see how that translates onto the field come time for the season. We expect to be competing again at regionals come May. -Elijah Hirschmann

15 Team Name: Stephen F. Austin Mascot: Lumberjacks Location: Nacogdoches, TX Captain(s)/Coach(s): Isaiah Yates, Garrett Wolf, Colton Carter, Ryan Frier Performance: Record: 2-10 Final Conference Ranking/World Series Results: Last place, N/A Notables: N/A Number of Returning Players (Include conference/league award winners): 7 Players to Watch: Isaiah Yates New additions: Cade Smith, Steven Martin, Braden Kilgore, Oscar Lazaro, Jermaine Bowie Biggest Rival: Lone Star CC Best Player Nickname: James Anderson (Chocolate Thunder) 2018 Season Outlook: Looking to move out of last place. Manager Quote: Win, Lose, or Draw, the lumberjacks always end the day on a high note.

16 Team Name: Louisiana State University Mascot: Tigers Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Captain(s)/Coach(s): David Boh, Chris Caldarera, Christian Gordon Performance: Record: 14-3 Final Conference Ranking/World Series Results: 10-2 in Gulf Coast East Notables: Earning 2nd Straight Regional Appearance Number of Returning Players (Include conference/league award winners): 17 Returning Players including: Daniel Edmund 2nd Team All-American, Harrison Daste and Ryan Macchio 3rd Team All-Region Players to Watch: Cole Holley, Dan Edmund, Colin McGee, David Boh, Harrison Daste New additions: Cole Holley, Marshall Lee, Chuck Nelson, Mark Nicholson, Hunter Juneau, Collin Wilkins, Thaddeus Price, Brandon Hebert Biggest Rival: Tulane Best Player Nickname: Barry 2018 Season Outlook: This year we look to make it back to the Regional Tournament coming off two straight Gulf Coast East titles and also to compete at the tournament for a shot at the World Series will be the first year without ace Matt Mancuso, but Cole Holley looks ready to fill the shoes of the reigning All-American Pitcher. We have added to our team multiple arms and powerful bats through this year s Freshman class. We are ready for a great year in Manager Quote: N/A

17 Team Name: Mascot: Location: Southern Methodist University Mustangs Dallas, Texas Captain(s)/Coach(s): Patrick McManus Performance: Record: 6-18 Notables: Number of Returning Players (Include conference/league award winners): 15 Returning Players Players to Watch: Paul Gill Jarrett Fairbanks Josh Pieniazek Sam & Max Makin New additions: Jarrett Fairbanks Will Kilroy Andrew Keane Paul Gill Connor McGrath Robbie Leslie Sean Lavin Tripp Worley Justin Kasser Harry Holcomb Biggest Rival: UNT, TCU Best Players Nickname: The Tribe

18 2018 Season Outlook: New and improved bullpen, lots of incoming freshman and returning players, undefeated in the Fall. Looks like we re set to have one of our best lineups in recent years.