Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Baseball Preview by Position: Outfielders
2/13/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 13, 2012
Boca Raton, FL - A talented pitching staff, one of the Sun Belt Conference's top hitters and several new faces will lead a Florida Atlantic University baseball team seeking a return to postseason play two seasons after winning a conference title and advancing to the championship game of the 2010 NCAA Division I Gainesville Regional.
Head Coach John McCormack's 2011 squad posted 32 victories, captured the season series with South Florida rival University of Miami, tied for fourth in the challenging SBC and had several players advance onto playing professional baseball.
In anticipation for this spring season, www.fausports.com will take a positional breakdown of the Owls, examining the outfielders.
"The outfield group starts and ends with Alex Hudak," said McCormack. "He is a key piece from last year's team. Alex will play right field after playing primarily in left field last year. Nathan Pittman, Geoff Jimenez and Corey Keller are being counted to make contributions after being in the program for two seasons. Nathan and Geoff also give us the speed factor that we have not had in the past. Each of them could steal nearly 30 bases this season."
The core of the outfield may be the most experienced position unit on this year's team. Leading this group is Alex Hudak, a second-team all-conference selection after ranking second in the league in hitting and among the top-three on the team in four other offensive categories. Hudak earned preseason All-Sun Belt Conference honors heading into the season.
Junior Nathan Pittman split time in center field and may be in the starting lineup on opening day. Pittman also helps put pressure on opponents after having double-digit steals last season. Sophomore Geoff Jimenez will compete with Pittman for center field after having a strong fall campaign. He is the top candidate to be the opening day starter in left field. Juniors Mark Nelson and Corey Keller provide depth at the corner outfield positions. Keller is the leading candidate to be the team's designated hitter.
The Owls begin the 2012 season on February 17 against the University of Alabama of Southeastern Conference. The team's home opener will follow a week later, on February 24 at 6:30 p.m. against Manhattan College. It will begin a four-game weekend set. Live audio and statistics of all games can be found at www.fausports.com.
For season tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com or call the FAU Ticket Office at 1-866-FAU-OWLS.
