Jeremy Talbot Steps Down as Assistant Coach
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M assistant baseball coach Jeremy Talbot has left the program to pursue opportunities closer to home, head coach Rob Childress announced Monday.
Talbot, a native of Labadieville, Louisiana, has accepted a coaching job at Hahnville High School outside New Orleans.
"This was a tough decision to make, but one I made in order to spend more time with my family and be closer to home," Talbot said. "My family and I greatly value the time we spent in Aggieland and wish everyone associated with this program and all of our friends in the area all the best."
Talbot served the previous four years as the Aggies’ hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. Prior to becoming part of Childress’ original staff at A&M, Talbot had spent five of his eight seasons in the coaching ranks in the state of Louisiana.
Under his direction, the Aggie bats have compiled a .309 average since the start of the 2007 season, averaged over seven runs a game and smashed over 230 home runs. Talbot helped lead Texas A&M baseball to consecutive Big 12 championships in ’07 and ’08, three trips to the postseason and the first back-to-back NCAA Regional crowns in school history.
"We deeply appreciate everything that Jeremy and his family did for this program," Childress said. "Through all the hard work he put in this program has gotten better in every respect. We will miss him and wish him well."
Mississippi State’s Pitcher Ricky Bowen Inks With Reds
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State junior pitcher Ricky Bowen has become the second member of MSU’s 2009 baseball team to sign a professional baseball contract.
Bowen, from Jasper, Ala., has signed with the Cincinnati Reds and reported to Billings, Mont., where he will begin his professional baseball career with the Billings Mustangs in the Pioneer League. FULL STORY
Seminole Baseball Summer Update
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The 2009 Florida State baseball season may be over but summer baseball is in full swing as several members of the Seminole baseball team are scattered across the country honing their skills for when they return to Florida State in the fall.
Tyler Holt and Team USA have posted a 3-1 record through the first four games of the World Baseball Challenge in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Holt has started all four games in centerfield for the United States but has struggled at the plate posting a .188 average through the first four games. After going hitless in his first eight at-bats to start the tournament, Holt responded with three hits over his next eight plate appearances in leading Team USA to a pair of victories. With just two games left to play in the round robin schedule, Team USA currently sits in a tie for first place with Canada and British Columbia. In 19 games this summer, Holt is hitting .397 with USA Baseball. FULL STORY
Bradley Baseball Recruit Gus DeQuesada Collects More Hardware
The awards continue to roll in for Bradley Baseball recruit Gus DeQuesada. On Friday, the Miami Herald selected DeQuesada to the Florida 6A All-State First Team. A right-handed pitcher from Christopher Columbus High School, DeQuesada finished his senior season with a 10-1 record, including 96 strikeouts and a 1.75 earned run average. His only loss was a 4-3 decision in the 6A State Championship game.
DeQuesada also received Miami Herald All-Dade First Team honors, and was named the Miami Herald 6A Pitcher of the Year. In addition to his state honors, Louisville Slugger recognized DeQuesada as an Honorable Mention High School All-American.
Another Bradley recruit, pitcher Patrick Cooper, found himself on the winning team at the Cape Cod League All-Star game last Thursday at Fenway Park in Boston. Although he did not make an appearance in the contest, Cooper’s Western All-Star teammates defeated the Eastern All-Stars 3-0. In 14 appearances this summer, Cooper is 2-1 with a 0.81 ERA and 31 strikeouts. Cooper earned his second win by pitching the ninth inning of a 3-2 win against Hyannis. FULL STORY
Arkansas State’s Honored For Play in Summer Leagues
Arkansas State senior catcher Kyle DeGrace and redshirt freshman pitcher Justin O’Brien both received honors from their respective leagues this week for their play on the diamond this summer. DeGrace was named the Rawlings Canadian Intercounty Baseball League Player of the Week, while O’Brien was named to the All-Star team in the Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee Summer Collegiate Baseball League. FULL STORY
KU Pitcher Walz Wraps Up Summer with World Baseball Challenge
PRINCE GEORGE, British Columbia – Kansas sophomore T.J. Walz and his U.S. National (Collegiate) Team defeated Germany, 8-1, Sunday to capture the 2009 Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline World Baseball Challenge championship at Prince George Citizen Field.
Walz, who will be a junior at KU in 2009-10, made five appearances for Team USA this summer, including a pair of starts, going 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA. Walz walked six and struck out 22 in 18 2/3 innings for the Americans, and allowed just five extra base hits.
His best outing of the summer likely came on June 28, when he pitched 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and struck out nine Canadians to earn his first victory with Team USA. Walz also pitched six solid innings against the Holyoke Blue Sox to pick up his other win.
The Americans finished their summer tour with an overall record of 19-5, including 16-5 against international competition.
Walz, a native of Omaha, Neb., was the first Jayhawk to participate on the U.S. National Team.
