Team News

College Baseball Weekend Preview

February 19, 2010

It’s the opening weekend for college baseball and we have all the information you need to be able to follow your future Loggers while they play college ball this spring.  This weekend features games from 18 teams which feature future Logger players including a special broadcast available to those with MLB Network.

UCLA featured on Baseball Network

We will start with one of the latest Loggers announced to the 2010 team.  Dean Espy (UCLA – So. – IF) and the UCLA Bruins will open their 2010 season with a visit from Southern University on Friday at 6:00 pm EST.  The Bruins then take on Bethune Cookman on Saturday in the third annual Urban Invitational Baseball Tournament.  This tournament spotlights historically black colleges and universities baseball programs in an effort to give them some national exposure.  The game will be nationally broadcasted on the MLB Network at 6:00 pm EST.  The Bruins wrap up their weekend with a game against Cal State Northridge at 2:00 pm EST.

Espy will look for a good showing as he is currently in competition freshman Cody Regis to be the starting third baseman. 

Clash of future teammates

On Saturday, Pepperdine will take on Cal-State Fullerton as former Logger Matt Bywater will get the start for the Waves.  The Loggers are represented by the duo of pitchers Brad Jesernig (Pepperdine – So. – RHP) and Alex Najera (Pepperdine – Fr. – LHP) of Pepperdine while future Logger Carlos Lopez (Cal-State Fullerton – So – IF/OF) looks to make a nice comeback for Cal-State Fullerton after missing last season with an injury.  Pepperdine is looking for their ninth straight opening day win on Friday when they face Long Beach State.  The Waves end their weekend with a game against Oregon which will mark the first time the two schools have faced each other on the diamond.  The Titans of Cal-State Fullerton open their season Friday against Oregon and wrap up the weekend against Long Beach State.

Weekend starter for the Wildcats

Expected to be the Friday starter this season for the University of Arizona is Kurt Heyer (Arizona – Fr. – RHP).  Also expected to be a weekend starter for the Wildcats is former Logger Kyle Simon.  Arizona opens its season this weekend with a three game series against Utah Valley.  The first win that the Wildcats earn this season will be the universities 2,500^th victory.  The university has supported a baseball team since 1904, and with a victory, will be just the seventh school to reach the milestone.

Memphis to open against in-state rival Middle Tennessee

Another pair of teammates committed to the Loggers for this upcoming season is Derrick Thomas (Memphis – Fr. – OF) and Dan Langfield (Memphis – Fr. – RHP) from the University of Memphis.  Langfield, Thomas, and the rest of the Tigers begin their 2010 season at home with a three game set against Middle Tennessee.  Memphis leads the all-time series 37-34, but the teams have split the past 10 meetings. 

Freshman looks to seal starting third base job

Jacob Lamb (Washington – Fr. – IF) of the Washington Huskies is slated to start at third base this weekend as the Huskies face three different teams in their opening weekend.  Washington’s opponents include: New Mexico State, Missouri, Gonzaga, and a second game against New Mexico State on Sunday to close out their opening weekend. 

Moynihan looks to get first action of the season

Matt Moynihan (San Diego – Fr. – OF) and the San Diego Toreros open their season this weekend as they host Indiana University in a four-game series.  The two teams will play one game on each Friday and Sunday, with a double-header in between them on Saturday.  The Toreros are currently ranked #14 in the nation heading into the beginning of the season. 

Nebraska using muscle to beef their chances this season

Playing for the Loggers and returning for his second season this upcoming summer is Nebraska’s Boomer Collins (Nebraska – So. – OF).  Nebraska opens their 104^th season this weekend as they head west for a four-game series against Fresno State.  An area of focus this season was having the players add strength.  The 18 returning players to the Huskies added a combined 203 pounds over the offseason.  Collins added 17 pounds alone as he went from 185 to 202 lbs.  This weekend will be the first test to see if the newly added muscle can power the Huskers into a run for the Big 12 championship.

Not to be forgotten

Remaining teams that open their season this weekend include:

Trent Allianic (Hawaii – Fr. – RHP/IF) and the University of Hawaii open with a four game home series against the Beavers of Oregon State.

San Diego State opens its season at home against the University of Oklahoma in a four game series.  Blair Moore (San Diego State – Fr. – IF) and former Logger Brandon Meredith will be our main focus in this series.

Left-handed pitcher Ruben Orosco (UC-Irvine – Fr. – LHP) and the UC-Irvine Anteaters open their season with a three game series against Loyola Marymount with Friday and Sundays games being home games. 

La Crosse native Tony Mueller (Winona State – So. – OF/RHP) and the Warriors begin their season on Sunday in the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota when they take on St. Cloud State in a double header.

Utility player Ryan Behmanesh (Dallas Baptist – So. – RHP/IF) and the Patriots begin their season with a three game series against the University of Texas-Arlington.