Eagles Set for Opening Day of 2010 Season
2/19/2010 1:11:00 AM | Baseball
STATESBORO, GA – With opening day just hours away, the Georgia Southern baseball team will make its final preparations before taking the field Friday night. First pitch of the 2010 campaign is set to be thrown Friday, February 19 at 7 p.m. as the Eagles begin a three-game series against Tennessee Tech. Both teams will begin quests to defend their respective 2009 conference tournament titles.
“We are ready to start the season and we're excited to open at home. We've had a lot of success playing at J.I. Clements over the years and I think our kids are comfortable playing at home,” said Eagle head coach Rodney Hennon. “Our fans have made this a great atmosphere to play in and it has become a home field advantage for us. It is definitely a tough park to come into as an opponent and play.”
Ryan Chambers of the Georgia Southern Radio Network will call all the game action this weekend on WPMX 102.9 FM and globally at www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com. The pregame show will begin 30 minutes prior to first pitch. Fans can also watch the live action on Georgia Southern's Eagle Vision on the official athletics website. Due to basketball games on Saturday, the live streaming of game two will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the men's game against Wofford which begins at 2:30 p.m.
Georgia Southern University President, Dr. Brooks A. Keel, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to kick off the season Friday night. Following the first pitch, Jake Brown (Forest Hill, Md.) will get the ball to open the 2010 regular season.
Returning with Brown in the field will be Kyle Blackburn (Marietta, Ga.), Kevin Bowles (Statesboro, Ga.), Roman Grimaldi (Duluth, Ga.), Eric Phillips (Carrolltown, Ga.) and A.J. Wirnsberger (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) – five of 17 returners for 2010. Blackburn and Wirnsberger were joined by sophomore pitcher Matt Murray on the Preseason All-SoCon Second Team.
“I think we have a good mix of experienced players who have been in key roles for us before and a lot of youth in our program that bring energy and enthusiasm to the team,” said Hennon. “Everything is new to our freshmen and transfer kids and everyone is excited about the opportunities they have.”
Vying for playing time will be 13 newcomers to this year's squad. After two weeks of practice, the key will be defining roles early in the season and building on the team chemistry from last season.
“I like the work ethic of this team and the attitude,” Hennon stated. “A lot of these younger guys bring energy to the team and we have a lot of competition because of it. At every position, there is competition, and that is good. But it will always come down to pitching and defense. We have to throw strikes and we have to make the plays. It's that simple.”
Tennessee Tech enters the season in defense of its 2009 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Title led by 2009 Coach of the Year, Matt Bragga. Tech closed out the season, 31-24-1, and is picked to finish third in the OVC in 2010. The Golden Eagles return their four best hitters (by batting average) and three of their top five pitchers (by ERA) from 2009. Chad Oberacker (.354), Casanova Donaldson (.333), A.J. Kirby-Jones (.325) and Ben Burgess (.316) all return to the plate, while Lee Henry (3.43), Cason Choate (4.91) and Kirby-Jones (5.51) return to the mound. Henry was the only Golden Eagle represented on the Preseason All-OVC Team. Joining the team this season are 16 newcomers including four junior college transfers and 12 true freshmen.
Senior Adam Liberatore will get the starting nod on Friday night returning to the lineup after undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery in 2009. Liberatore went 2-0 with a perfect 0.00 ERA in three starts in 2009, allowing only seven hits in 17.0 innings pitched with 21 strikeouts.
Domino's will be the title sponsor for opening weekend of baseball and the first 200 fans to enter J.I. Clements Stadium Friday night will receive a free slice of pizza. Promotions continue throughout the weekend as 500 fans will receive a Domino's and Georgia Southern pen on Saturday and Sunday is the first Junior Eagle Club Night of the season with 200 fans receiving free Domino's and GS cozies.
First pitches are slated for 7 p.m. Friday night, 5 p.m. Saturday night and 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
“We are ready to start the season and we're excited to open at home. We've had a lot of success playing at J.I. Clements over the years and I think our kids are comfortable playing at home,” said Eagle head coach Rodney Hennon. “Our fans have made this a great atmosphere to play in and it has become a home field advantage for us. It is definitely a tough park to come into as an opponent and play.”
Ryan Chambers of the Georgia Southern Radio Network will call all the game action this weekend on WPMX 102.9 FM and globally at www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com. The pregame show will begin 30 minutes prior to first pitch. Fans can also watch the live action on Georgia Southern's Eagle Vision on the official athletics website. Due to basketball games on Saturday, the live streaming of game two will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the men's game against Wofford which begins at 2:30 p.m.
Georgia Southern University President, Dr. Brooks A. Keel, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to kick off the season Friday night. Following the first pitch, Jake Brown (Forest Hill, Md.) will get the ball to open the 2010 regular season.
Returning with Brown in the field will be Kyle Blackburn (Marietta, Ga.), Kevin Bowles (Statesboro, Ga.), Roman Grimaldi (Duluth, Ga.), Eric Phillips (Carrolltown, Ga.) and A.J. Wirnsberger (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) – five of 17 returners for 2010. Blackburn and Wirnsberger were joined by sophomore pitcher Matt Murray on the Preseason All-SoCon Second Team.
“I think we have a good mix of experienced players who have been in key roles for us before and a lot of youth in our program that bring energy and enthusiasm to the team,” said Hennon. “Everything is new to our freshmen and transfer kids and everyone is excited about the opportunities they have.”
Vying for playing time will be 13 newcomers to this year's squad. After two weeks of practice, the key will be defining roles early in the season and building on the team chemistry from last season.
“I like the work ethic of this team and the attitude,” Hennon stated. “A lot of these younger guys bring energy to the team and we have a lot of competition because of it. At every position, there is competition, and that is good. But it will always come down to pitching and defense. We have to throw strikes and we have to make the plays. It's that simple.”
Tennessee Tech enters the season in defense of its 2009 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Title led by 2009 Coach of the Year, Matt Bragga. Tech closed out the season, 31-24-1, and is picked to finish third in the OVC in 2010. The Golden Eagles return their four best hitters (by batting average) and three of their top five pitchers (by ERA) from 2009. Chad Oberacker (.354), Casanova Donaldson (.333), A.J. Kirby-Jones (.325) and Ben Burgess (.316) all return to the plate, while Lee Henry (3.43), Cason Choate (4.91) and Kirby-Jones (5.51) return to the mound. Henry was the only Golden Eagle represented on the Preseason All-OVC Team. Joining the team this season are 16 newcomers including four junior college transfers and 12 true freshmen.
Senior Adam Liberatore will get the starting nod on Friday night returning to the lineup after undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery in 2009. Liberatore went 2-0 with a perfect 0.00 ERA in three starts in 2009, allowing only seven hits in 17.0 innings pitched with 21 strikeouts.
Domino's will be the title sponsor for opening weekend of baseball and the first 200 fans to enter J.I. Clements Stadium Friday night will receive a free slice of pizza. Promotions continue throughout the weekend as 500 fans will receive a Domino's and Georgia Southern pen on Saturday and Sunday is the first Junior Eagle Club Night of the season with 200 fans receiving free Domino's and GS cozies.
First pitches are slated for 7 p.m. Friday night, 5 p.m. Saturday night and 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
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