Ram Baseball Preview
By: Michael Whitson
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Sports
Head Coach: Kevin Brooks, 6th season at ASU (206-100)
Last Season: 45-20 overall, 31-13 Lone Star Conference
Postseason: LSC Runners up, LSC Tournament Runners Up, NCAA D-II South Central Region Semifinalists
2009 Season in Review
In 2009, Coach Kevin Brooks led his team to yet another 40-plus win season, while surpassing the 200 victory milestone with a win over Abilene Christian in the NCAA DII South Central Regional Tournament. The 45 wins were the second-highest in team history, only to the 2007 season in which the team won 51 games and reached the D-II College World Series.
"We've been real successful," Brooks said. "We've averaged over 40 wins a year, which is pretty impressive."
The Rams made a fourth straight postseason appearance last season while finishing second in the LSC, but fell short of their championship goal.
Departures
The Rams will take the mound minus All-LSC pitchers Kenny Elkind and Joe Key, who combined threw over 293 innings and accounted for over one-third of the team's wins.
"You could count on Kenny and Joe, good or bad, to go out there and give you innings," Brooks said. "When they were good, you were going to win, and when they were bad, you still had a chance to win."
In addition to the loss of the top two hurlers, All-LSC catcher Trey Carter finished his collegiate career behind the plate.
Carter batted .377 with 11 home runs and 64 RBI's for the Rams in 2009, and led the nation in walks.
"He was by far the best defensive catcher in the country," Brooks said. "Offensively he will be a significant loss as well."
Returners
The Rams boast six Preseason All-Americans coming back this year, more than any other team in the nation.
Seniors shortstop Jason Morriss, center fielder Isaac Garcia, catcher Chris Adamson, pitcher Jeffrey Asby along with sophomore pitcher Craig Blair join senior first baseman Keith Towne as honorees.
Last Season: 45-20 overall, 31-13 Lone Star Conference
Postseason: LSC Runners up, LSC Tournament Runners Up, NCAA D-II South Central Region Semifinalists
2009 Season in Review
In 2009, Coach Kevin Brooks led his team to yet another 40-plus win season, while surpassing the 200 victory milestone with a win over Abilene Christian in the NCAA DII South Central Regional Tournament. The 45 wins were the second-highest in team history, only to the 2007 season in which the team won 51 games and reached the D-II College World Series.
"We've been real successful," Brooks said. "We've averaged over 40 wins a year, which is pretty impressive."
The Rams made a fourth straight postseason appearance last season while finishing second in the LSC, but fell short of their championship goal.
Departures
The Rams will take the mound minus All-LSC pitchers Kenny Elkind and Joe Key, who combined threw over 293 innings and accounted for over one-third of the team's wins.
"You could count on Kenny and Joe, good or bad, to go out there and give you innings," Brooks said. "When they were good, you were going to win, and when they were bad, you still had a chance to win."
In addition to the loss of the top two hurlers, All-LSC catcher Trey Carter finished his collegiate career behind the plate.
Carter batted .377 with 11 home runs and 64 RBI's for the Rams in 2009, and led the nation in walks.
"He was by far the best defensive catcher in the country," Brooks said. "Offensively he will be a significant loss as well."
Returners
The Rams boast six Preseason All-Americans coming back this year, more than any other team in the nation.
Seniors shortstop Jason Morriss, center fielder Isaac Garcia, catcher Chris Adamson, pitcher Jeffrey Asby along with sophomore pitcher Craig Blair join senior first baseman Keith Towne as honorees.
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