BASEBALL CENTRAL: 2016 Grand Canyon Classic

[VN News]

Tennessee Baseball travels to Phoenix, Ariz., this weekend, as the Volunteers take part in the 2016 Grand Canyon University Classic from Friday, Feb. 26 - Sunday, Feb. 28, facing the `Lopes, Saint Mary's College Gaels and Central Michigan University Chippewas at Brazell Stadium.

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Discuss.

 

[OldTimer]

66 will probably have more detail in their opening series however this is the season preview from D1 Baseball and they are projected to place 2nd in the WAC.

Grand Canyon University WAC Confernce
It still doesn’t have a shot at the postseason, but Grand Canyon once again appears to be the class of the WAC. The Antelopes won their first WAC regular-season conference title last year, but because they are still “transitioning” to the Division I level, they remain ineligible for postseason play (including the WAC Tournament) until 2018. Shortstop Paul Panaccione (.376, 4, 36) is the preseason favorite to be the conference player of the year while outfielder Garrison Schwartz (.357, 0, 40) was named the WAC Freshman of the Year last season. Third baseman Ben Mauseth was First Team All-WAC despite hitting .240 with 17 RBIs. A jump from him and fellow junior Josh Meyer, who struggled to a .129 average in 62 at-bats after being a solid contributor (.276, 1, 25) as a freshman, could fill the void created by the departures of middle-of-the-lineup bats Chad De La Guerra (.344, 11, 51) and David Walker (.306, 0, 18). Brandon Smith and Thomas Lerouge combine with Schwartz to form the conference’s best hitting outfield. All three hit .342 or better last season. As a team, Grand Canyon hit .308 and averaged 6.4 runs per game. But it was needed as the pitching staff had a 4.57 ERA. The ‘Lopes have to replace rotation staples Andrew Naderer and Coley Burns, but they should have redshirt senior Jorge Lopez (3.43 ERA in 63 IP in 2014) back after he missed all of last season. Mick Vorhof (5-0, 3.02, 5 SV) also returns following an outstanding freshman campaign. Ethan Evanko (6-1, 3.42 ERA in 73.2 IP in 2014), Zebastian Valenzuela (70 combined IP last two seasons), Jake Repavich (8-2 as a freshman last season) and Jaren Drummond (1-1, 3.94 ERA) give head coach Andy Stankiewicz several experienced lefthanded options.

Player of the Year:
Paul Panaccione, SS, Grand Canyon

Top Prospects, 2016 Draft
Jorge Perez RHP Grand Canyon
Paul Panaccione SS Grand Canyon

 

[BruinVol]

WEEKEND UPDATE: #Vols RHP Hunter Martin will start Sun. 2/28 vs. Central Michigan in place of RHP Kyle Serrano, due to resting a tired arm.
12:33 PM - 24 Feb 2016

 

[NorCalVol67]

WEEKEND UPDATE: #Vols RHP Hunter Martin will start Sun. 2/28 vs. Central Michigan in place of RHP Kyle Serrano, due to resting a tired arm.
12:33 PM - 24 Feb 2016

Tired arm in February?

 

[tonybologna]

Tired arm in February?

That's exactly what I was thinking as soon as I saw that. That's not good this early on in the season. He must have a problem with his arm & that's scary.

 

[NorCalVol67]

That's exactly what I was thinking as soon as I saw that. That's not good this early on in the season. He must have a problem with his arm & that's scary.

That is scary; I want to see him succeed and pitch at the next level. He seemed to pitch fairly well Saturday except for his usual one bad inning, which certainly seems more mental than physical.

 

[vol66]

CDS has always been very conservative with injury info...conservative with Andy Cox and Hunter Martin last season...hopefully this is just precautionary.