TicketsJan. 3, 2008
PROVIDENCE, RI -- University of Cincinnati standouts Tony Campana (Springboro, OH/Springboro), Josh Harrison (Cincinnati, OH/Princeton) and Dan Osterbrock (Cincinnati, OH/Colerain) were named to the 2008 Preseason all-BIG EAST team, as announced by the league on Thursday (Jan. 3). The Bearcats were picked to finish ninth in the conference by a vote of the league's coaches.
"We're excited about the preseason recognition for Tony, Josh and Dan," head coach Brian Cleary said. "Typically, by the end of June, the preseason polls don't mean all that much. Being selected to finish ninth gives us room for improvement throughout the season."
Campana continues to earn preseason recognition after his record-setting 2007 campaign. Recognized on the Wallace Watch List and the NCBWA Preseason All-America Team, the speedy centerfielder was a second-team all-BIG EAST and second-team ABCA All-Region honoree in 2007. Second in school history in stolen bases after just one season with the Bearcats, he swiped 60 bags in 2007. Campana finished second nationally and set the school's single-season stolen bases record when he nabbed his 36th bag of the year in the team's 27th game of the season. He finished second on the team in both batting average (.329) and walks (33).
An ABCA All-Region and all-BIG EAST second-team selection, Harrison ranked among the BIG EAST leaders in runs (T-6th, 59), doubles (T-9th, 17), home runs (T-12th, 9), RBIs (10th, 56), total bases (T-11th, 120), slugging percentage (9th, .545), sacrifice flies (1st, 9) and stolen bases (T-7th, 21) in 2007. He paced the Bearcats in runs, hits, doubles and multi-hit games (24) and was third in batting average (.327). In just two seasons, Harrison has established himself as one of the best players in Bearcats history, as he has recorded a hit in 94 of 114 career games, holds a .347 career batting average and ranks in the top-20 in school history in runs scored and stolen bases.
Osterbrock, a first-team all-BIG EAST and ABCA All-Region pitcher in 2007, returns for his junior season as the Bearcats' top hurler. The lefthander was one of the BIG EAST's top pitchers in 2007, ranking among the league leaders in wins (T-3rd, 9), opponents' batting average (4th, .223), strikeouts (T-7th, 82) and innings pitched (10th, 94.1). A PING! Baseball All-PING! Team honorable mention choice as a sophomore, Osterbrock twirled five complete games, held a 2.67 earned run average, and was listed on a trio of school single-season lists including wins (T-3rd), strikeouts (T-7th) and innings pitched (9th) last season.
St. John's was tabbed to win the league, with Louisville a close second. The three Bearcats on the preseason team were the second-most named behind Louisville's four.
The Bearcats open the 2008 season on Feb. 22 at national power Miami (FL) before opening the home schedule with a 16-game homestand at Marge Schott Stadium.