Arizona (8-6) vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (3-2)/Texas A&M (2-5)
Cabaniss Field/Olsen Field
Feb. 16/18-20, 2000
THE SERIES: Arizona (8-6) makes its first non-conference road trip of the
year, traveling to the Lone Star state for a single game at first-year
program Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and a three-game set at Texas A&M. The
Islanders will be playing their first ever home game Wednesday. Sophomore
Shelley Duncan is UA's hottest hitter, having homered four times in his
last two games.
WILDCAT NOTES: Arizona pinch-hitters are 13-for-30 (.433) with a homer and
10 RBI this year after hitting .191-0-4 with just nine hits in 1999 ...
Wildcat starting pitchers have posted a 4.78 earned-run average, while the
relievers have recorded an 8.47 mark ... Shelley Duncan homered twice vs.
Nevada (2/12-13) joining Colin Porter as the only UA player to do so in
consecutive games ... Arizona starting pitchers earned the win in each game
of the Cats' series with New Mexico (2/3-5), marking the first time UA had
done so since Feb. 5-7, 1998, vs. Baylor ... The Cats tied a single-game
school record with five triples in its 6-4 victory over New Mexico (2/5)
... Arizona pitchers set a school record by hitting six batters in single
game vs. San Francisco (1/30) ... Junior Ryan O'Donnell collected a pair of
two-run pinch-hit singles in the sixth inning of the Cats' 21-7 victory
over San Francisco (1/29). In one inning, O'Donnell matched Arizona's
entire pinch-hit RBI total from a year ago with four ... The Cats scored 12
runs in the sixth inning of their Jan. 29 contest with USF, the most for a
Wildcat team in one inning since posting 16 in the seventh inning of a
40-10 victory over St. Francis in Tucson (2/22/95). Their 21 runs in the
game were the most by a Wildcat club since a 21-8 victory vs. New Mexico
(1/31/98) ... Arizona is 140-5 (.966) dating back to 1993 in games it led
after eight innings and 234-9 (.963) going back to 1990.
DUNCAN SETS MARK: Sophomore right fielder Shelley Duncan posted
back-to-back two-home run games against Nevada (2/12-13), becoming the
first player in Arizona history to have more than four multi-homer games in
his career. Duncan has done so six times.
Dennis Haines had a pair of multiple home run games in both 1972 and '74.
In 1993, George Arias had four two-homer games.
Duncan has 27 home runs in only 70 career games, just nine shy of Kenny
Corley's career Arizona mark of 36.
DURAZO'S DEFENSE: Junior Ernie Durazo went 35 consecutive games without an
error before a throwing miscue vs. San Francisco (1/29). That was the
longest error-free streak for a Wildcat first baseman since Arizona joined
the Pac-10 in 1979. Marc Wing went 34 straight contests in 1983 and '84
without an error. Durazo accepted 291 consecutive chances without
committing an error. Here are the longest error-free game streaks by UA
first basemen in the last 22 years:
Player Year (s) Games
1. Ernie Durazo 1999-00 35
2. Marc Wing 1983-84 34
3. Todd Landry 1993 31
4. Billy Owens 1990 24
5. Jeff Gjerde 1995 23
PRESEASON HONORS: Three Wildcats have earned a total of five preseason
All-America honors.
Sophomore right-hander Ben Diggins was named a first-team All-American by
Baseball America. Sophomore right fielder Shelley Duncan earned second-team
honors from BA and third-team recognition from Collegiate Baseball. Both
Collegiate Baseball and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers
Association named junior shortstop Keoni DeRenne a second-team preseason
All-American.
BEST TOOLS: Baseball America has announced its list of "Best Tools" in the
Pac-10, and three Wildcats were recognized. Junior Keoni DeRenne was named
the league's top defensive shortstop as well as its best base runner.
Senior center fielder Troy Gingrich was named the Pac-10's fastest runner.
And sophomore right-hander Ben Diggins has the best fastball in the
conference, according to BA. The magazine also names a preseason All-Pac-10
team to which Duncan was listed as an outfielder and Diggins as the utility
player.
STITT'S 100TH: Arizona's 5-2 victory over Saint Mary's (1/23) marked the
100th of head coach Jerry Stitt's career. In just his fourth season, Stitt
joins J.F. "Pop" McKale, Frank Sancet and Jerry Kindall as the only Arizona
coaches to reach the century mark in victories.
DRAFT PREVIEW: Sophomore right-hander/designated hitter Ben Diggins figures
prominently in Baseball America's 2000 draft preview. Voted the No. 2
prospect for the draft coming out of college this year (behind California's
Xavier Nady), Diggins is called the best two-way player and the hardest
thrower available. He is also listed as one of the best athletes and
possible the best power hitter possibly coming out of college this year.
Junior shortstop Keoni DeRenne is rated the 75th-best draft prospect and
named as one of the best defensive players.
Sophomore right fielder Shelley Duncan is listed as the sixth-best prospect
available in the 2001 draft.
TEAM USA '99: Junior Keoni DeRenne and sophomores Ben Diggins and Shelley
Duncan were all part of the 1999 USA Baseball national squad that posted a
24-15 overall mark.
DeRenne was the team's starting shortstop and hit .376 with a remarkable
.506 on-base percentage. He drew 32 walks while striking out just 12 times.
Diggins served as the team's closer, posting a 2.05 earned-run average in a
team-high 16 appearances. He allowed just 10 base hits in 22.0 innings
under Arizona pitching coach Bill Kinneberg, who filled the same capacity
for Team USA. Duncan saw limited action before joining the Jayhawk League.
DIGGINS ELIGIBLE FOR DRAFT: Sophomore right-hander Ben Diggins is eligible
for the major league baseball draft following this season due to an
exception in MLB's rules. Ordinarily, players at four-year colleges are not
eligible for the draft until following their junior year. However, an
exception to the rule allows players who turn 21 within 45 days of the
draft to be eligible. Diggins turns 21 on June 13, less than two weeks
after the draft.
KNST-RADIO: KNST, AM-790, will carry 30 regular season games this season,
including each Pac-10 contest, plus all postseason action. The station has
served as UA's flagship station for 19 years. Sports director Brian
Jeffries and Ryan Radtke will handle the play-by-play duties.
Renaissance man Eric Thomae will not be working any upcoming games for
KNST. The versatile Thomae, known as an inventor (microwave popcorn), a
screenwriter (Bikini Carwash 3) and even a motivational speaker (The Seven
Highly Effective Habits of Guys from Iowa), is working on his latest
incarnation, a candidate for the presidential nomination of the Republican
party. Thomae is criss-crossing the country promoting his platform of
strong defense, lower taxes and free desserts for all kids 12 and under.
Though admittedly a longshot, Thomae brags, "At least I stuck it out longer
than that goofball Hatch and that wacko Bauer."
RED-SHIRTS/INJURIES: Senior right-hander Dave Abbott will red-shirt the
season following Tommy John surgery last April 20. He plans to return for
the 2001 campaign.
Junior right-hander Sam Shelton will miss the season as well.
Junior right-hander Ben Vigeland will red-shirt the year.
DRAFTED CATS: Fourteen current Arizona players have been chosen a total of
17 times in the Major League Baseball Draft. Mike Meyer, Trevor Mote and
Rob Shabansky have been selected twice. Here's a complete list of players
drafted:
Player Year Club Round
Rob Shabansky 1995 Royals 68th
Tony Milo 1996 Mets 7th
Sam Shelton 1996 Dodgers 68th
Mike Meyer 1996 Dodgers 69th
Kevin Huff 1996 Dodgers 71st
Peter Fredericks 1997 Astros 10th
Ryan O'Donnell 1997 Padres 32nd
Trevor Mote 1997 Twins 32nd
Ben Diggins 1998 Cardinals 1st*
Trevor Mote 1998 Royals 30th
Rob Shabansky 1998 Red Sox 39th
Ernie Durazo 1998 Mariners 46th
Kenny Huff 1998 Blue Jays 47th
Mike Meyer 1999 Giants 14th
Matt Abram 1999 Diamondbacks 10th
Ken Riley 1999 Marlins 31st
Klent Corley 1999 Angels 48th
*---Sandwich Pick
SHABANSKY TOPS IN '90s: Senior left-hander Rob Shabansky was Arizona's
winningest pitcher in the 1990s, despite missing all of 1999 with an elbow
injury. Shabanksy's 15 wins edged out James Johnson's 12 victories. Here
are the Cats' winningest pitchers by decade:
Decade Pitcher Record
1950s Don Lee 36-7
1960s Rich Hinton 32-8
1970s Dave Breuker 29-10
1980s Ed Vosberg 29-19
1990s Rob Shabanksy 15-8
HEAD COACH JERRY STITT: Jerry Stitt leads the Cats in his fourth season as
head coach.
After three straight last-place finishes in the Pac-10 South, Stitt has led
the Cats to back-to-back-to-back winning seasons and a return to postseason
play thanks to improved pitching and defense and, under his direct
tutelage, the continued success of Wildcat hitters.
Arizona qualified for an NCAA regional last year for the first time since
1993. The year before, the Cats ranked among the nation's leaders in
doubles, triples, homers, runs scored and slugging percentage while
reaching as high as No. 2 in one national poll.
Stitt has posted an 106-78 (.576) mark in his three seasons at the helm of
the Cats, earning his 100th career victory vs. Saint Mary's on Jan. 23.
He follows J.F. Pop McKale, Frank Sancet and Jerry Kindall as the only
head coaches since 1922 and is only the 14th coach in the 93-year history
of Arizona baseball.
Stitt was an All-American at UA in 1968 as a senior and was drafted in the
32nd round by the Cleveland Indians. He played three years in the Tribe
organization before moving to coaching.He joined the Cats' coaching staff
in 1978 and had been its associate head coach since 1992.
SANCET FIELD: Frank Sancet Field is in its 34th season as the home park of
Arizona baseball. The Cats have an 848-360-3 (.701) all-time mark at Sancet
Field. UA has had just three losing records at Sancet. Arizona was 20-11 at
home last year. Sunday's game with Saint Mary's was the Cats' 1,200 at Sancet.
The spacious park is 360 feet down the foul lines, 380 to the power alleys
and 400 to center field. A 12-foot fence comes in to left and right center
before giving way to a six-foot fence across the center field area. New
chair-back seats were installed last season behind home plate.
ZASA SHINES: Sophomore public address announcer Jimmy Zasa returns for his
third season as "The Voice of the Wildcats." A favorite of fans and players
alike, Zasa is best known for his familiar call "Home Run Sheeelleeey
Dunnncannn." Zasa's enthusiasm and exuberance always bring out the
excitement in Wildcat fans everywhere. Bear Down!
ALUMNI GAME: San Diego Padre Jake Thrower's bases loaded triple capped a
five-run first inning, leading the Alumni to a 7-6 victory in Arizona's
annual All-Pro Alumni Game (2/6).
The Alumni hold an 11-3-2 advantage in the series, which began in 1982.
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Curt Schilling served as the Alumni's
guest manager.
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Scott Erickson earned the win, allowing just
one unearned run. Florida Marlins southpaw Ryan Moskau picked up the save
with a perfect seventh inning. Freshman lefty Nathan Duarte took the loss
for the Cats. For Arizona, sophomore right fielder Shelley Duncan went
two-for-two including a home run.
The alumni won the pregame home run hitting contest, 11-9, behind Alan
Zinter's six long balls.
EARLY SIGNEES: Collegiate Baseball preseason All-Americans Moises Duran and
Jake Whitesides lead a deep and talented group of 13 high school and junior
college players who have inked letters of intent during the early signing
period to attend Arizona and play baseball beginning in the fall of 2000.
Eleven high school seniors and two junior college sophomores comprise the
group, which includes nine pitchers.
This is as strong a recruiting class as we have had, Jerry Stitt, who is
entering his fourth year as Arizona's head coach, said. It rivals the
first class we signed in 1997, which was ranked fourth in the nation.
Our first need in the near future is pitching, and we met that need with a
great group of young arms. Brian Anderson is the top pitching prospect in
Tucson. Plus, the addition of Moises Duran, Stephen Hunt, Ryan Richardson
and Jake Whitesides solidify positions that were in need of filling.
Duran is beyond question the best player in Tucson. He has tremendous bat
speed. Whitesides is one of the best prospects to sign with this program in
a long time. He's a tremendous high school player, and he'll make a
tremendous college player. This is a great class.
Richardson is the younger brother of former Wildcat pitcher Jim Richardson
(1988-89). Right-hander Sean Rierson was a member of the Chapparal HS that
finished the year ranked 20th in Collegiate Baseball's national poll last
season and was listed among that publication's list of high school
underclassmen to watch. Whitesides was voted No. 70 on Baseball America's
list of the top 100 high school prospects for the 2000 draft.
ARIZONA VS. TAMU: The Cats lead the series, 16-15-1, since 1951. Jerry
Stitt is 3-3 vs. the Aggies as Arizona's head coach.
LAST YEAR vs. TEXAS A&M
Date W/L Score WP LP Save
2/12 W 11-5 Milo Fossum Pemble
2/13 W 5-2 Pearce Caple None
2/14 L 9-18 Russ Diggins None
PITCHING PROBABLES vs. TEXAS A&M
Friday (3 p.m.)
RHP Ben Diggins (2-0, 3.04) vs. LHP Grant Gregg (1-1, 3.75)
Saturday (2 p.m.)
RHP Mike Crawford (2-2, 6.00) vs. RHP Todd Deininger (1-1, 1.69)
Sunday (1 p.m.)
LHP Brian Pemble (3-0, 3.97) vs. RHP Khalid Balloult (0-2, 4.15)
Probable Wildcat Lineup
No. Pos. Player Class Ht. Wt. Hometown
1. 2 CF Troy Gingrich (L) Sr. 5-10 180 Apache Junction, Ariz.
2. 11 SS Keoni DeRenne (B) Jr. 5-7 146 Honolulu, Hawaii
3. 33 DH Ben Diggins So. 6-6 230 Prescott Valley, Ariz.
4. 18 RF Shelley Duncan So. 6-5 210 Tucson, Ariz.
5. 22 LF Kenny Huff (L) So. 6-0 197 Phoenix, Ariz.
6. 17 3B Erik Torres Jr. 5-10 168 Tucson, Ariz.
7. 44 1B Ernie Durazo (L) Jr. 5-9 195 Tucson, Ariz.
8. 25 2B Trevor Mote (B) Jr. 6-1 185 Prescott, Ariz.
9. 26 C Chris Cunningham (L) So. 6-1 190 Diamond Bar, Calif.
