Here is your News and Notes for College Baseball News from July 23rd.
UCF Leads All Conference USA Baseball Programs in Team GPA
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) – Already having set two program academic records in 2008-09, UCF baseball learned that its efforts in the classroom are standing out in Conference USA as well. The Knights ranked first of all C-USA baseball teams with an annual grade-point average of 3.174 to receive the league’s Sports Academic Award.
"I’m extremely proud of the academic efforts of our team this past year," said head coach Terry Rooney, who just completed his first season with the Knights. "We continually talk about succeeding at the highest level both academically and athletically. The foundation for success on and off the field has been laid and this is a tremendous accomplishment for the baseball program." FULL STORY
UAB’s James Oliver Selected For NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Recently graduated pitcher James Oliver of the UAB baseball team has been selected as a 2008-09 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient.
Each year the NCAA awards 174 postgraduate scholarships, divided equally between male and female athletes, with 58 recipients named in each the fall, winter and spring sports seasons. Each scholarship winner receives a one-time $7,500 grant to go toward postgraduate studies.
Student-athletes in their final year of eligibility are chosen for the scholarships based upon both academic and athletic accomplishments. In addition, campus involvement, community and volunteer service and leadership are also considered. FULL STORY
Marshall Adds Pitcher to 2010 Roster
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall University baseball team signed right-handed pitcher, James White, from Clendenin, W.Va., head coach Jeff Waggoner announced on Thursday. White pitched for UNC Greensboro in 2008, sat out last season and is eligible for the upcoming 2010 campaign.
As a freshman at UNCG, White led the Southern Conference in appearances, 38, while posting a 5-1 record in 32.2 innings of work. His five victories, which ranked second for the Spartans, came against Kent State, Ohio University, Albany, Princeton and Furman. He finished the season with a 4.96 ERA and 23 strikeouts. FULL STORY
Irish Baseball Summer League Update
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – With almost all collegiate baseball summer leagues starting the second half of the season, many Notre Dame players have seen solid playing time for their respective squad. Rising senior Herman Petzold (Saint Clair Shores, MI/De LaSalle), rising junior David Casey (Whitefish Bay, Wisc./Whitefish Bay), rising junior Matt Scioscia (Westlake Village, CA/Encino Crespi Carmelite) and rising junior Joe Spizzirri (San Juan Capistrano, CA/JSerra Catholic) were all named to their respective leagues all-star games. Below is an update on how the Irish are faring thus far. FULL STORY
Blankenship, Heere Selected to All-Star Team
Current Jayhawks Travis Blankenship and Brian Heere have been selected to participate in the Southern California Collegiate Baseball Association vs. Pacific West Coast Conference All-Star game Saturday at Palm Springs Stadium.
Both Lawrence products are members of the Palm Springs Power, a summer collegiate baseball team, which currently leads the So. Cal. Collegiate Baseball Association with a 33-7 record this summer. Both Jayhawks have been instrumental in the Power’s success. FULL STORY
Pair of Catamount Hurlers Participate in Summer League All-Star Games
Cullowhee, N.C. – A pair of Western Carolina right-handed pitchers were selected and recently participated in their respective summer collegiate league all-star games. Matt Benedict and Jason Sullivan each were tabbed for the mid-season classics in the Valley and Coastal Plain summer leagues.
Benedict, playing for the Haymarket (Va.) Senators, was a part of the Valley League All-Stars team which played against all-stars from the Cal Ripken, Jr., Collegiate League, falling 2-1 back on July 15. Benedict tossed one inning in the game, surrendering one run on three hits for the Valley.
Thus far this summer, Benedict has a 2-2 overall record for the 17-19 Senators’ squad. The St. Petersburg, Fla., native has made nine appearances through Tuesday, including six starts and holds a 2.33 ERA through 38.2 innings pitched. Benedict also has 36 strikeouts, averaging just below one per inning, against 11 walks. FULL STORY
