Series Preview - University of Arkansas at Monticello

Series Preview - University of Arkansas at Monticello

3-game series with a single game on Friday, February 8, a single game on Saturday, February 9, and a single game on Sunday, February 10, in Monticello, Arkansas.

University of Arkansas at Monticello -

Mascot - Weevils

Location - Monticello, Arkansas

Founded - 1909

Enrollment - 3,923

Conference - Great American Conference (NCAA Division 2)

Stadium - Blossom Field (seating capacity is 400)

Colors - Kelly Green and White

UAM was picked to finish 8th in the Great American Conference according to the preseason coaches' poll released from the league office.

UAM recently competed in the "Astros in Action Division 2 Invitational Tournament" in Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, and played 4 games.  UAM is 1-3 after the tournament but one of those losses came against Central Missouri with a late home run by the Mules for a final score of 2-1.  The Weevils got ten-run-ruled by Abilene Christian at UAM's first game of the season and lost the game 13-3 in only 7 innings.  UAM followed the loss with a 5-3 win over Tartleton State.  UAM then lost to Texas A&M at Kingsville 16-9 in the 3rd game.  Finally, UAM lost to Central Missouri 2-1 in the Tournament's final game.

As a team, UAM is batting .248, scoring 18 total runs (4.5 runs per game), 31 hits (7.75 hits per game), 4 doubles (1 per game), 1 triple, 4 home runs (1 per game), 18 RBIs (4.5 per game), slugging % .392, 15 walks per game (3.75 per game), 2 HBP, 30 Ks (7.5 per game), 5 GDP (1.25 per game), OBP% .333, SB-Att 1-1, 12 errors (3 per game), Fielding % .925, 2 pass balls allowed, opponents have stolen a perfect 6 for 6 bases against UAM catchers.

As a team, UAM has an ERA of 6.89, W-L 1-3, 0 saves, 0 complete games, 32.2 innings pitched, 42 hits allowed, 25 earned runs, 18 walks, 10 strike-outs, 8 doubles, 0 triples, 3 home runs, opponents are batting .323 against them, 3 wild pitches, 7 HBP, and 0 balks.

Individually, UAM has 5 players that have played in every game...3B, SS, 2B, 1B, and CF.  Offensive leaders are as follows:

Bronson Gilliam - .400 BA, GP/GS 3/3, 3 R, 4 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI, Slg% 1.000, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 2 K, 0 GDP, .500 OB%;

Ben Agredano - .357 BA, GP/GS 4/4, 4 R, 5 H, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .714 SLG%, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 GDP, .438 OB%;

Taylor Eaves - .353 BA, GP/GS 4/4, 2 R, 6 H, 1 RBI, .353 SLG%, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 GDP, .421 OB%;

Chad Miller - .300 BA, GP/GS 4/3, 1 R, 3 H, 1 2B, .400 SLG%, 3 K, .300 OB%;

Individually, UAM pitching leaders are as follows:

Kenny Marshall - 0.00 ERA, APP/GS 1/1, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, B/AVG .118, 0 WP, 1 HBP;

Brent Noble - 0.00 ERA, 1-0 W-L, APP/GS 2/0, 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, B/AVG .091;

Gavin Johnston - 2.25 ERA, APP/GS 1/0, 4.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 2B, B/AVG .353;

Chris Guzman - 4.05 ERA, APP/GS 1/1, 6.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 0 K, 1 2B, B/AVG .250, 1 WP;

Bobby Bryan - 8.31 ERA, 0-1 W-L, APP/GS 1/1, 4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 0 K, 1 2B, B/AVG .333, 1 WP, 1 HBP.

Although there is not a big sample size, UAM does not hit left-handed pitching very well.  As a team, UAM is only batting .125 against left-handers versus .256 against right-handers.  UAM does not hit well with runners on base (.275), and even worse with no runners on base (.230).  UAM has not collected a hit when the bases are loaded (0/4).

UAM pitchers are more effective against left-handed batter than right-handed batters (.192 BA for Left, .356 BA for Right).  The Weevils pitching B/AVG with runners on is .338, with bases empty .302, with 2 outs .333.

Northwest is playing its first game of the season this weekend.

B2R thoughts - Its hard to say what the starting line-up will look like for the Bearcats this weekend as they open the 2013 NCAA Division 2 season.  Assuming these guys are healthy, the B2R is presuming Eric McGlauflin 3B/DH, Eric Swain SS, Bedard 2B/3B/DH, Steven Garber 1B/DH, Luke Lawyer C are all your game 1 starters.  The Outfield is more complicated but Ryan Abernathy is your Center Fielder.  Assuming Jon Pomatto is healthy, he is your starting RF.  I assume Tyler Durant will be either your Left Fielder or DH with Charlie Krueger also figuring into LF or DH.

Cole Mapes is no longer with the team so I expect Brandon Huske to be a regular contributor this season based on what I saw in fall camp and spring practice.  He's a slick-fielding 2B with a plus glove and range in my personal opinion. 

Paul Johnson is a versatile and important player that figures to get a lot of playing time because of his talent to play 3B and/or 2B.

JJ Baccari is a wild card that can see time at 1B, C, or DH, based on his bat and versatility.  JJ has scored well in catching drills this spring.  I don't know how well JJ does at throwing out base runners because I haven't seen it, but he's a great backstop for the pitchers.  Max Bigford is not with the team so JJ or Zach Douglas figure to compete for the 2nd Catcher position.  Speaking of Zach Douglas - he looks like he has been hitting the weights as he has thickened up since last I remember him.

Matt Kanger has really impressed me this fall and spring.  He's got a violent swing yet it looks effortlessly smooth.  I love his fielding mechanic as the ball is being pitched.  Great size.  I'm very excited to see how he performs this season.

Pitching is the biggest area of opportunity for returning and new players.  Your returning starters of Jace Anderson, Chase Anderson, Pat Brady, and Marcus Garrett.  Add in some new junior college starting talent of Austin Warren, Ryker Fox, and Blane Reutter figure to compete for starting jobs right away based on what I saw in fall and spring practice.  Starting pitching is the area where the Bearcats need to significantly improve in 2013 from 2012.

Middle Relief seems to be a point of strength and depth for the Bearcats in 2013 with Carson Smith, Nathanial Horton, Kole Klocko, Jacob Raffaele, maybe Patrick Brady or whatever starter isn't starting.

Defensively, the Bearcats also need to see better execution to help out the pitching. 

I am extremely excited for the 2013 Bearcat Baseball season.  There is a lot of talent pushing for starting time.  The team worked very hard this off-season.  The upper-classmen have been leaders to the younger guys on how to prepare for practice and the MIAA season.  If the Bearcats can improve their pitching execution and defense from 2012 while maintaining its 2012 offense, the Cats will move up the MIAA standings and be playing in the post-season.

Strap on your batting gloves nice and tight, tap a little pine tar, take a deep breath, and prepare for an exciting 2013 season.

Mind is right.

Go Cats!!

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