TicketsJan. 5, 2007
PROVIDENCE, R.I.--One year after qualifying for the BIG EAST Conference Championship in its first year of league membership, the University of Cincinnati baseball team is projected to do so again as the Bearcats have been voted seventh in the 2007 BIG EAST Coaches' Preseason Poll. In addition, sophomore right-handed pitcher Steve Blevins has been named to the preseason all-league team.
Cincinnati enjoyed its fifth 30-win season in program history in 2006, finishing 32-26 overall and tying for sixth in the BIG EAST at 13-14. UC advanced to post-season play for the first time since the 2001 season.
The mention for Blevins is the second off-season recognition that the Louisa, Ky. native has received, after also being tabbed to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List. Blevins, a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and a second team All-BIG EAST choice a year ago, led the conference with nine wins and 101.0 innings pitched in 2006.
"With the amount of newcomers and youth that we have, it's obvious that the pollers don't know much about us at this point," UC head coach Brian Cleary stated. "Obviously, we are anxious to finish higher than seventh and clearly this gives us ample room for improvement as the season unfolds."
St. John's was a narrow favorite to win the BIG EAST Championship, earning seven of the 12 first place votes and edging defending champion Notre Dame 116 points to 110. The Fighting Irish accumulated four first place votes, while third place Louisville earned the final tally. Rutgers, Connecticut and USF make up spots 4-6 ahead of the Bearcats.
The preseason player of the year award went to Rutgers shortstop Todd Frazier, while Notre Dame closer Kyle Weiland was the preseason pitcher of the year. St. John's and Louisville led the way in preseason team selections with three each, while Notre Dame and West Virginia each had two picks.
Cincinnati opens the 2007 season with a trip to Boca Raton, Fla. Feb. 7-9 to take on Florida Atlantic. The home docket opens with a three-game set against Dartmouth March 3-4 in Marge Schott Stadium. The BIG EAST's top-eight teams during the regular season will square off in the league championship at a venue that will be announced soon, May 22-26.
2007 BIG EAST Preseason Poll*1. St. John's (40-19, 16-10)
2. Notre Dame (45-17-1, 21-5-1)
3. Louisville (31-29, 17-10)
4. Rutgers (29-28-1, 13-14)
5. Connecticut (39-18-1, 18-6-1)
6. USF (23-35, 12-15)
7. Cincinnati (32-26, 13-14)
8. West Virginia (36-22, 14-13)
9. Pittsburgh (23-29, 10-17)
10. Seton Hall (17-34, 7-20)
11. Villanova (27-27, 8-18)
12. Georgetown (24-32, 10-17)
*indicates 2006 records
Preseason All-League Team
P-Kyle Weiland, Notre Dame#
P-Steve Blevins, Cincinnati
P-Scott Barnes, St. John's
P-Wade Korpi, Notre Dame
IF-Todd Frazier, Rutgers*
IF-Logan Johnson, Louisville
IF-Chris Cates, Louisville
IF-Jorge Castillo, Louisville
C-Larry Day, Connecticut
OF-Adam White, West Virginia
OF-Chris Joachim, St. John's
OF-Justin Jenkins, West Virginia
DH-Anthony Smith, St. John's
* Preseason Player of the Year
# Preseason Pitcher of the Year