Monday, December 21, 2009

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FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU baseball team is ranked 38th in the nation, according to the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper pre-season poll, released earlier today.  Of the 40 teams ranked, the Eagles are the only representative from the Atlantic Sun conference.

The Eagles finished with a 36-18 record last season, including a 23-7 record in conference play.  Head coach Dave Tollett earned A-Sun Coach of the Year honors, while four Eagles were named to the All-Atlantic Sun First Team.  A trio of juniors led the Eagles representation in starting pitcher Chris Sale (7-4, 2.72 ERA, 104 K’s in 89.1 innings), third baseman Tim Roberson (.345 average, 19 HR, 65 RBI) and designated hitter Zach Maxfield (.383 average, league-best 20 HR, 66 RBI).

Junior Stephen Wickens earned a spot on the All-Atlantic Sun Second Team. Wickens started every game this past season at shortstop. He batted .356, scored 44 runs, and drove in 36 RBI.

Sophomore Jason Forjet was named to the Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team. Forjet finished the 2009 season with a 5.00 ERA, a 3-0 record, and struck out 28 batters.

FGCU also picked up arguably the biggest win in program history last May when the Eagles traveled to Gainesville and pounded the 9th-ranked Florida Gators, 17-5.

The Eagles return the majority of their power this spring, as Josh Upchruch and Brad Roberts were the only key departures for the Green and Blue. With 87% of its home run power back, look for big numbers once again from FGCU.

The 2010 FGCU baseball schedule is expected to be released in early January.

Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's NCAA Div. I Pre-Season Poll (As of Dec. 21, 2009)  
 

Rank School ('09 Final Record)      Points
1. Texas (50-16-1)                               496
2. Louisiana St. (56-17)                      494
3. Virginia (49-15-1)                            493
4. Cal. St. Fullerton (47-16)               492
5. Arizona St. (51-14)                          491
6. Georgia Tech. (38-19-1)                486
7. Florida St. (45-18)                           483
8. U.C. Irvine (45-15)                          482
9. Florida (42-22)                                 479
10. Oregon St. (37-19)                        475
11. Rice (43-18)                                   473
12. Miami, Fla. (38-22)                       470
13. North Carolina (48-18)                469
14. Ohio St. (42-19)                             467
15. Texas Christian (40-18)               464
16. Clemson (44-22)                          462
17. Coastal Carolina (47-16)            459
18. East Carolina (46-20)                  455
19. Louisville (47-18)                          454
20. UCLA (27-29)                                 452
21. Southern Miss. (40-26)                450
22. Mississippi (44-20)                       446
23. Arkansas (41-24)                          443
24. San Diego (29-25)                        441
25. Oklahoma (43-20)                        439
26. Stanford (30-25)                           435
27. Wichita St. (30-27)                        430
28. South Carolina (40-23)                428
29. Texas A&M (37-24)                       427
30. Minnesota (40-19)                        425
31. Georgia (38-24)                            422
32. Vanderbilt (37-27)                        419
33. Fresno St. (32-30)                        417
34. Pepperdine (31-23)                      415
35. South Florida (34-12)                   412
36. Kansas (39-24)                             410
37. Middle Tennessee St. (44-18)    407
38. Florida Gulf Coast (36-18)          402
39. Notre Dame (36-23)                     401
40. Dallas Baptist (38-17)                  397