Senior Matt Otteman defeated two top-20 opponents last season.
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
ARLINGTON, Texas- The UT Arlington baseball team held its first official team practice for the 2009 season on Sunday afternoon at Clay Gould Ballpark. The Mavericks, who return 26 lettermen from last season, enjoyed 68-degree weather on Sunday during their first official day of team practice.
It is the second year that the NCAA has required baseball teams to start spring practice on February 1. The 2009 regular season officially begins with teams holding their season openers on Feb. 20.
UT Arlington will open its season hosting the 16th Annual UT Arlington/Hilton Invitational at Clay Gould Ballpark. The Mavericks will welcome Arkansas State, Texas State and Siena for the four-day, eight game invitational.
The Mavericks welcome back 13 pitchers from a year ago, which combined to win all of the Mavericks 26 games in 2008. UT Arlington also returns seven starting position players from last season, including sophomore center fielder Michael Choice who batted .376 with seven home runs and 51 RBI as a freshman.
Choice, the reigning Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, was named a preseason first team All-SLC selection.
UT Arlington begins its 41st season of baseball hosting Arkansas State on Friday, Feb. 20, at 3 p.m. at Clay Gould Ballpark.
