Hurricane Baseball Set to Open 2003 with Alumni Game
Jan. 31, 2003
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miami baseball team will open its 2003 baseball season Saturday at 7 p.m. at Mark Light Field with the annual Alumni Game. Admission is free with current and former players on hand to sign autographs.
Among the 50 estimated former Hurricanes returning to Mark Light Stadium are former Marlin and current Tampa Bay Devil Ray Jorge Fabregas (1989-91) and Devil Ray’s third baseman Aubrey Huff (1997-98).
The student voice of the Hurricanes, WVUM 90.5 FM, will broadcast the game on a tape-delayed basis on Sunday at 1 p.m.
“We’ll have the alumni pitch to their own team, while the current players will pitch to their current teammates,” added Morris. “This way the game should be competitive and exciting from start to finish.”
Collegiate Baseball ranks the 2003 Hurricanes as high as 14th in its preseason poll. The Sports Weekly/ESPN poll has the Hurricanes at No. 20. UM will open the regular season on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. as Florida International visits Mark Light Stadium.
The Hurricanes return 20 players from last year’s team that went 34-29. Miami missed its eighth trip to the College World Series in the last nine years by one game, as South Carolina rallied in game three of the Columbia, (S.C.) Super Regional to advance.
Four starting position players and nine pitchers return, along with 13 newcomers to bolster the Hurricane squad.
Junior left-hander Dan Touchet will take the ball as the Hurricanes No. 1 starter in 2003. He is coming off of a 6-2 record last. Brandon Camardese, Vince Bongiovanni, Ryan Dixon and J.D. Cockroft will challenge for a spot in the UM starting rotation. Miami also has the services junior college All-American Alex Perez, who joined the team at the semester.
Miami will rely on All-American closer George Huguet to finish games. From a setup and long relief role out of the bullpen, Miami will look to Tom King, Cockroft, Andrew Cohn and Shawn Valdes-Fauli.
Paco Figueroa is expected to handle the starting role at shortstop, while true freshman Gaby Sanchez will get the start at third base. Sanchez was a high round draft choice by the Seattle Mariners.
Senior Jim Burt leads the way offensively and anchors the right side of the infield at first base for the Hurricanes. The first baseman, who spent a large portion of last season in the outfield, hit .322 last season with nine home runs, while driving in 48 runs and cranking out 19 doubles. Joey Hooft and junior college transfer Adam Ricks are battling for the starting nod a second base. Sophomore Erick San Pedro will handle the catching duties.
The outfield will be anchored by returning center fielder Paco Figueroa. Newcomers Tom Shannon and Brian Barton have the inside track on the starting spots in left and right field, respectively. Sophomore Richard Giannoti will also push for a starting spot in the outfield.
Call 1-800-GO-CANES for season and individual game ticket information or check out UM’s official athletic website www.hurricanesports.com for updated information on the baseball team.
