TicketsFeb. 18, 2009
This is the fourth in a five-part installment previewing the 2009 University of Cincinnati baseball season. UC opens its 2009 campaign on Friday, Feb. 20, at the inaugural BIG EAST/Big Ten Baseball Challenge. The Bearcats play Purdue University at 1 p.m. at the Raymond A. Naimoli Complex in St. Petersburg, Fla.
OUTFIELD
Patrolling the outfield in 2009 will be a mix of experience and youth. Junior Jamel Scott and senior Cameron Satterwhite both had career years in 2008 and will be asked to lift their games again in 2009. Joining Scott and Satterwhite in the outfield will be junior college transfer Lance Durham.
In his first season of full-time duty, Scott hit .311 with one home run and 38 RBI, and the Dublin, Ohio native stole 35 bases in 44 attempts to tie for 17th nationally in stolen bases per game (0.61). Scott's ability to manufacture runs with his legs will be vital once again for UC in 2009.
Satterwhite burst on the scene last season en route to earning third-team all-BIG EAST and second-team all-ABCA/Rawlings All-Mideast Region honors. He owned a .364 batting average, belted 14 home runs, 21 doubles, and drove in 61 runs. Satterwhite's numbers last season drew national attention and the Cincinnati native is a 2009 preseason first-team all-BIG EAST selection and a Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Watch List honoree.
Durham, a physically gifted athlete, is a junior college transfer from Kaskaskia College. The son of former Major League Baseball player Leon Durham, Lance brings more power to the Bearcats lineup. He hit .338 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI last season as Kaskaskia College.
Sophomore Justin Riddell comes off of a solid rookie campaign and is the leader for the designated hitter spot in the lineup. Riddell played in 40 contests a season ago, finishing with a .272 average, five doubles, two home runs, 15 RBI, and four stolen bases.
A trio of freshman, Kendal Coleman, Dorian West, and B.J. Willis, have made progress since arriving on campus and should contribute in a variety of roles in 2009.