Miami Baseball To Host Alumni Game Friday

Oct. 22, 2008

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami baseball team is set to host its annual alumni game on Friday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. at Mark Light Field.

In addition to the entire 2009 team on display for the first time, more than 50 former Hurricanes are expected to be in attendance. Some of the former `Canes expected to play include Jim Burt, Paco and Danny Figuero, Richard Giannotti, Marcus Nettles, Dennis Raben, Julio Solis and Javy Rodriguez. Several others that will be in attendance but are unable to play include Aubrey Huff, Alex Cora, Jon Jay, Chris Perez and Mark Sobolewski.

The teams will play a nine-inning game and admission is free to the public. For the second straight season, the alumni game has been moved up in conjunction with football’s Homecoming weekend. Prior to the game, members of the 2008 team will be given their 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship rings.

The 2009 UM baseball team features 19 returning players – including 16 letterwinners – from last year’s team that reached the College World Series and finished with an overall record of 53-11. Among the players returning this season include left-handers Chris Hernandez, Collegiate Baseball’s National Freshman Pitcher of the Year, and Eric Erickson, a two-time All-ACC performer, as well as shortstop Ryan Jackson, a first-team All-ACC selection in 2008.

Joining the returning group is a 13-member signing class that features five players selected in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft and a total of nine players from the South Florida area.