LOUISVILLE, KY (2/15/12)—Head coach Dan McDonnell of the 15th-ranked Louisville baseball team was joined by Cardinal players during Tuesday afternoon’s annual media day activities at Jim Patterson Stadium.
McDonnell, entering his sixth season with the Cardinals, senior outfielder Stewart Ijames, senior pitcher Derek Self, sophomore outfielder/catcher Jeff Gardner and sophomore pitcher Jeff Thompson spoke with reporters to preview the 2012 season. Following the press conference, reporters attended Louisville’s open practice session.
Led by the return of preseason All-American pitcher and All-BIG EAST performer Justin Amlung, Louisville welcomes back nearly the entire pitching staff and numerous position players with starting experience from last year's squad. Overall, the Cardinals return 19 letter-winners from the 2011 team, which finished 32-29 overall, while adding a talented class of newcomers for 2012.
Ranked as highly as No. 15 in the Collegiate Baseball newspaper preseason poll, the Cardinals are ranked in the top 25 in five different major preseason polls and will enter the season ranked in the top 25 for the fourth straight season. In his five previous seasons, McDonnell is 217-106 with two BIG EAST regular-season titles, two BIG EAST Tournament titles, four NCAA Regionals, two NCAA Super Regionals and one College World Series.
Louisville will open the 2012 season on Friday at 10 a.m., ET against Minnesota in Clearwater, Fla., on day one of the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge. Following games against Illinois (Saturday, 4 p.m.) and Michigan State (Sunday, 10 a.m.) to close the weekend, the Cardinals will return to Louisville for their home-opener at Patterson Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m., against Eastern Kentucky.
Fans can follow Louisville baseball on Twitter at http://twitter.com/uoflbaseball and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ulbaseball.
To view a full video, as well as audio, from 2012 Media Day click the following online link: http://www.uoflsports.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/021412aaa.html
Information provided by UofL Assistant Sports Information Director, Garrett Wall
Posted by Luke Short—SurfKY News
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