If there is any dramatic change in the way the Western Athletic Conference race unfolds in 2002, then someone has to catch Rice. The Owls either have won the conference baseball tournament when it was held, or won or shared first place in the final regular-season standings all five years they have been in the league. WAC teams try again
to catch up with OwlsUH and 4 other teams
UH's opponents
take on the challenge of trying
to knock Rice off the top perchBy Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comThe WAC opens this weekend with Rice visiting Murakami Stadium for a three-game series with Hawaii. San Jose State and Fresno State also start conference play with three weekend games in Fresno, Calif.
Rice head coach Wayne Graham, his staff and players have set a high standard and maintained it. The league coaches know it is difficult to knock success and voted Rice to win the title again this year, the sixth consecutive season the Owls have been so selected.
Rice is ranked No. 4 in the latest American Baseball Coaches Association poll.
Fresno State, No. 2 in the coaches preseason poll, and Nevada (3) also received recognition in national preseason polls and San Jose State (4) received votes in the latest American Baseball Coaches Association poll.
The Rainbows, with a new coaching staff, were picked to finish fifth, and league newcomer Louisiana Tech was voted sixth in the six-team WAC.
The preseason poll is just that. The teams play 30 conference games, facing each other three times at home and three times on the road and a lot can happen, especially with the travel involved, during the 12 weekends it takes to complete the schedule.
Louisiana Tech coach Jeff Richardson said, "It will be a challenge for the players with the extensive travel. We played well on the road last year, but can we go to San Jose, Hawaii and Fresno and win a game or two?"
The Rainbows (7-9) enter league competition still trying to settle on starters at a couple of positions, looking for a consistent offense and wondering if a solid starting rotation will emerge. With the exception of two games, the defense has played well and the bullpen has been solid a majority of the time.
The 'Bows were 16-20 and finished sixth a year ago, when there were seven teams in the conference. They have played well against the better teams this season.
"The way I've seen us play, the better the opponent in our minds, the better we perceive an opponent to be, the better we have played," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "We're hoping that continues because we played very well against Florida State and UCLA, and they were very good clubs."
Here is a capsule look at UH's opponents in the order of the first series with the Rainbows. Each team's nonconference record to date is in parentheses:
BACK TO TOP
Rice (12-4)
Coach: Wayne Graham, 11th year (438-202).
2001 WAC record: 26-10.
Players to watch: Preseason WAC Player of the Year, third baseman Hunter Brown; outfielders Austin Davis and A.J. Porfirio; shortstop Jose Enrique Cruz.
Outlook: The Owls are off to a fast start and have defeated quality opponents in Baylor, Texas Tech, Nebraska, Wake Forest and Houston. The pitching staff was hardest hit with pro signings and graduation after the 2001 season, but freshmen Jeff Niemann and Phillip Humber have stepped into starting roles along with junior Steven Herce. The Owls traditionally have strong pitching and have shown the ability to bash the ball this season.
SAN JOSE STATE (13-5)
Coach: Sam Piraro, 16th year (491-367-4).
2001 WAC record: 21-15.
Players to watch: Catcher Adam Shorsher; second baseman Gabe Lopez; first baseman Bryan Baker; third baseman Hector Zamora.
Outlook: The Spartans lost seven starters, but Piraro says his 2002 team will be better due to a solid recruiting class -- ranked 17th nationally by Collegiate Baseball -- several transfers and the maturing of the returning players. Senior Jeremy Rogelstad and junior Mike Malott lead a group of six candidates for the starting rotation.
"We have the capabilities for more offense and more productivity this year," said Piraro. "This team has more speed, power and bat control than last year. Plus, there is more depth at almost every position."
NEVADA (8-8)
Coach: Gary Powers, 20th year (568-413-4).
2001 WAC record: 17-19.
Players to watch: Outfielder Chris Dickerson; starting pitchers Mateo Miramontes and Darrell Rasner; third baseman Mike Gilles; shortstop Matt Mcguire; first baseman JeRell McIntyre.
Outlook: The Wolf Pack return three of the WAC's top eight hitters in Gilles, McIntyre and Mcguire, all seniors who are among the seven position starters back. Nevada has two established starting pictures in junior right-hander Rasner and sophomore right-hander Miramontes. James Holcomb, a sophomore right-hander and transfer Justin Sherman are battling for the third starting job. The Wolf Pack were 19-9 at home, but just 11-16 on the road last year.
LOUISIANA TECH (10-7)
Coach: Jeff Richardson, 4th year (88-99).
2001 WAC record: First year.
Players to watch: Outfielders Cullen Simmons and John Brandon; infielders Mike Hall and Kyle Humphries; right-hander Lee Gwaltney.
Outlook: Expectations are high for the Bulldogs, beginning their first season in the WAC. Richardson has seen his team improve each of his first three seasons and the 2001 campaign (32-26) was the best in 13 years. Pitching will be the strong point with three starters, right-handers Casey Blalock and Gwaltney and left-hander Adam Kirkendall, back. Richardson's challenge is to replace several position players. Until that question is settled, he is relying on defense and pitching. The Bulldogs play their home games in hitter-friendly J.C. Love Field, scored 424 runs a year ago and should be a tough host for any team unable to match their pitching.
FRESNO STATE (6-11)
Coach: Bob Bennett, 34th year (1,276-743-4).
2001 WAC record: 22-14.
Players to watch: Preseason WAC Pitcher of the Year Bob Runyon and reliever/designated hitter Ben Fritz; outfielder Tobey Riday-White; sophomore shortstop Casey McGehee.
Outlook: Bennett will retire after the 2002 season and the Bulldogs would like to send the veteran coach out with another NCAA Tournament appearance. However, FSU has struggled against a loaded preconference schedule, losing two of three to Santa Clara, Cal State Fullerton, Stanford and Washington and suffering a three-game sweep at home by Nebraska last weekend. The Bulldogs have veteran hitters, but the pitching staff's 5.56 ERA is a surprise at this point, especially with five starters back.
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