University of Houston Athletics
Baseball Begins Practice Friday Afternoon
1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 31, 2008
HOUSTON - The University of Houston baseball team takes its first step toward the 2008 season Friday with the start of spring practice at Cougar Field.
Recent NCAA rules pushed the start of the season back, giving all collegiate baseball teams a uniform starting date. After working through small group and individual drills since school began in mid-January, the Cougars finally will work together as a team for the next three weeks before the season starts.
For head coach Rayner Noble, the start could not have come soon enough.
"I've been very bored with the inability to get out there," said Noble, who enters his 14th season at UH as head coach. "We've been able to do a few things but there is nothing like having your full squad out there and getting them prepared."
Fifteen letterwinners return from the 2007 team, which finished 28-28 overall and tied for fourth in an always-competitive Conference USA. Those returnees include six starters like infielders Jimmy Cesario, Ryan Lormand and Bryan Pounds and outfielders Jake Stewart, Zak Presley and Bryan Tully.
"Obviously, we are very excited," Noble said. "We need to focus on the small things early. We haven't had a chance to pick up many ground balls, so defense is going to be a priority early. It's just a matter of getting out on the field. We are really looking forward to it."
Even after 13 years as the head coach at Houston, where he has compiled 457 wins and guided his squads to three NCAA Super Regionals, Noble heads into the 2008 season with the same sense of optimism he always has.
"Nothing has changed. I still feel the same way. We have strong potential. We just have to get some opponents in the other dugout and start playing and find out where we are," Noble said. "We have the athletic ability, and we have the pitching. "
While Friday is the start of spring practice, the team worked out during a longer fall season in October and November. As a result, most of the Cougar players know the regular practice routine and won't need to be acclimated to the system.
"We did most of that in the fall. We only have a couple of guys that are now, and they will pick things up pretty quick," Noble said. "We are going to hit it running. We're not going to waste too much time."
Leading the way offensively is Cesario. A year ago, the Metairie, La., native topped the Cougars with a .352 batting average and 13 doubles, adding three home runs and 35 RBIs.
Cesario was one of two Cougars named to the All-Conference USA First Team and was recognized as the league's Newcomer of the Year.
On the mound, sophomore southpaw Wes Musick is expected to be the anchor of the pitching staff. A year ago, the Lufkin native emerged as the staff ace during his first collegiate season, compiling a 6-5 record, 3.00 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 93.0 innings.
He joined Cesario on the All-Conference USA First Team and was named to three Freshmen All-America teams.
Both Musick and Cesario recently were named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List. The award, won by pitcher/DH Brad Lincoln in 2006, is given annually to the nation' top college baseball player.
UH opens the 2008 season on Feb. 22-24 when it plays host to Pacific in a three-game, non-conference series. That series begins at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 22, continues at 3 p.m., Feb. 23 and wraps up at 1 p.m., Feb. 24.
With the delay to the start of the season, the Cougars will compete in their latest Opening Day since the 1982 team began play on Feb. 23.
Once the first day of practice is finished, the team will take part in an Alumni celebration, beginning at 1 p.m., Saturday at Cougar Field. Former Cougar letterwinners will square off against one another in an Alumni Game.
Once the oldtimers are finished, fans can catch a glimpse of the 2008 Cougars, who will compete in an intrasquad scrimmage around 2:30 p.m..
Both the Alumni Game and the scrimmage are free and open to the public.
Following the game, fans are invited to a picnic at Cougar Field where they can eat and enjoy good times with current and former Cougar players.
While the game is free and open to the public, fans must pay in advance and make reservations to attend the picnic. Fans who wish to attend the picnic must call or email Brandi Clark (713-743-9456 or brclark2@central.uh.edu). Prices to attend the picnic are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children 12 and under.
