Notes as a .pdf
Pitching Probables:
Monday - Eric Bowden (First Start) vs. David Brockman (0-0, 3.00)
Tuesday - Mike Byer (First Start) vs. Chris Goodman (1-0, 4.32)
Wednesday - TBA vs. Sean Rierson (0-1, 3.24)
Coming Attractions: The Wildcats will host St. Mary's (Calif.) for a three game set Jan. 29-31. Arizona won two-out-of-three against the Gales a season ago and own an all-time record of 5-3 in eight games. The Gales will open their season for the third consecutive year in Tucson. It is the third opponent that has seen it's first action of the season against the Cats in 2001.
Arizona's Last Game: The Wildcat offense exploded for a 22-hit, 15-run outburst in UA's 15-7 victory over BYU last Friday, earning a split in the rain shortened series. Freshman Brian Anderson and junior Justyn St. Clair each tallied four hits and scored three runs in the game. Junior Shelley Duncan hit his second home run of the season, a three-run 410 foot shot to left center. Every Wildcat started collected at least one hit in the game. Freshman Anthony Sulser picked up his first collegiate victory in relief and Britt Echols earned his first save with three scoreless innings to close out the game.
Head Coach Jerry Stitt: Now in his fifth season as the skipper of Arizona baseball, head coach Jerry Stitt has compiled a 128-104 record in his first four-plus seasons. In 1999 he took the Wildcats to the postseason for the first time since 1993. Only the fourth coach to lead Arizona since 1922, Stitt also played three seasons for the Wildcats from 1966-68. He joined the Arizona staff in 1978 as an assistant coach. In 1992 he was named associate head coach before being promoted to the head spot on July 3, 1996.
On the Job Training: Arizona is receiving immediate help in the lineup from a number of new comers. As expected, the arms of 15 new pitchers on staff have already paid dividends for the team (Four wins, two saves, 45 innings pitched) but the Cats are also getting help in the batting order as well. Transfer Justyn St. Clair has made an impression in the leadoff spot hitting an impressive .421 in 19 at-bats. Both his .579 on-base percentage and his seven runs scored lead the team as do his three stolen bases. Freshman Brian Anderson has made only one career start thus far, but used his opportunity wisely. Collecting four hits in five ABs against BYU last Friday, the first-year Wildcat smacked a double for his first collegiate hit, added another two baggerto drive in a run and scored three times as well.
Off to a Fast Start: While a number of the newcomers havebeen impressive to start the season, a core group of returing veterans have also made a difference. Leading the team in batting average (.444), slugging (.593) hits (12) and RBI (8) senior Ernie Durazo has been on a tear to start the season. Classmates Jason Shroyer and Erik Torres have done their part as well. Shroyer has driven in six runs thus far, while Torres is second on the team with six runs scored.
Preseason Honors: Junior outfielder Shelley Duncan has been named to two preseason All-America teams in 2001. A second-team All-American by Baseball America and a third-team Collegiate Baseball honoree, it is the second consecutive year that he has been named All-America by both publications. Duncan hit .338 in 32 games last season while tying for the team lead in home runs with 11.
Best Of: Baseball America has announced its Best Tools in the Pac-10 for 2001. Shelley Duncan is listed as having the best raw power in the conference. He is also projected as the Pac-10's most draftable position player. Freshman Marc Kaiser is noted as one of the top three high school players to by-pass the pros and enroll in school.
Four and Counting: With a three-run shot against BYU last Friday, Shelley Duncan moved one home run closer to becoming the all-time leader in Arizona history. Needing only four more round-trippers to take the title, it appears he will be able to do so at home at Sancet Field (The Wildcats play their next 15 games at home). Duncan swatted a freshman record 20 home runs in 1999 and tallied 11 in 32 games last season. His total of 33 is currently tied for third with Les Pearsey (1975-78) on the all-time list. Kenny Corley, who played for Arizona from 1995-98, is the all-time leader with 36. Corley's brother, Klent, is a freshman right-hander for the Wildcats.
In Dedication to Kelsey: The Wildcats have dedicated the 2001 season to their teammate Kelsey Osburn. Osburn, an infielder for Arizona the past two seasons, passed away on July 17, 2000 after being struck by a ball during batting practice in a summer league game in New York. The Wildcats have his number, 41, stitched into the back of their caps and retired his jersey in a ceremony at Sancet Field on Jan. 27. The Osburn family has established a scholarship fund in Kelsey's honor for future Wildcat athletes. Please contact the UA Development Office at (520) 621-8081 for more details about the scholarship fund.
Retired Jerseys: Kelsey Osburn joins a select group on the left field wall of Frank Sancet Field. Arizona has retired only four jerseys in its history; former head coach Jerry Kindall, former assistant coach Jim Wing, All-American Terry Francona and Osburn's.
The Class of 2005: Arizona has already signed 10 members to its 2001-2002 recruiting class. The class includes five infielders, three pitchers, a catcher and an outfielder. Says head coach Jerry Stitt, This is as good a recruiting class as we've have had in the last five years. Coupled with the outstanding 2000-2001 class, we have the makings of a very good squad.
Arizona Recruits
Jesus Cota 1B Tucson, Ariz./Pima CC
J.J. Hardy SS/P Tucson,Ariz./Sabino HS
John Hardy INF Boise, Idaho/ Centennial HS
Chris Marini OF Gelndale, Ariz./Ironwood HS
Will Miller RHP Poway, Calif./Poway HS
Rich Mercado C Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei
Chris Saenz RHP Tucson, Ariz./Pima CC
Jason Snyder RHP Sandy, Utah/Alta HS
Jason St. Clair SS Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista
Will Thompson 1B Missoula, Mont. /Loyola
