TicketsJan. 23, 2007
This is the first in a 17-day series previewing the 2007 Bearcats baseball team. Today's installment features a preview of the upcoming season with UC head coach Brian Cleary.
by Shawn Sell, UC Assistant Sports Communications Director
The 2007 season could present a very unusual dilemma for University of Cincinnati head coach Brian Cleary as he figures out how to best manage what he calls one of his deepest teams ever. Cleary's squad features 17 returning letterwinners from last year's 32-26 team. Add to it a talented group of 16 newcomers and UC's 10th year coach has reason to be excited this year.
"Obviously, we have quite a few new players," Cleary says. "With the combination of key returners and newcomers, it will take us some time to see who is good at what and get the pieces in the right place. The thing I am most excited about is that we are a significantly deeper team this year."
This year will mark the Bearcats second trip through the BIG EAST. Year one in the league was a successful one as UC qualified for post-season play for the first time since 2001. Last year also showed Cleary a blueprint for success in the league.
"What we found last year was that the BIG EAST is more of a pitching and defense-oriented league," Cleary says. "With our change in league and ballpark, we had to transition from a power-offensive group to a pitching and defense type of team and I think we did that."
One reason for optimism is that the Bearcats potentially have one of the deepest and most talented pitching staffs during the Cleary era. The top two starters of 2006 (Steve Blevins and Dan Osterbrock) along with bullpen ace A.J. Upton return to anchor the staff. With three talented transfers and a handful of freshmen in the mix, Cleary says "pitching could be a team strength for the first time in my 10 years here."
UC will face the challenge of a season without a big bat in the middle of the line-up with the graduation of Logan Parker. The Bearcats will have to find other ways to score, utilizing speed and gap power. Sophomore infielder Josh Harrison will be counted to lead the way, along with senior outfielder Brian Szarmach.
Another exciting schedule is on tap for the Bearcats, featuring BIG EAST home weekends against Connecticut, Louisville, Notre Dame and Villanova. A total of 28 games will take place in Marge Schott Stadium as UC chases its first BIG EAST title.