New Faces Join Sooner Baseball Squad As Classes Begin

Nineteen new faces were welcomed on to the 2004 Oklahoma baseball squad as the first day of classes at the university began on Monday. After getting oriented and reintroduced back to school, the Sooners will begin several weeks of individual workouts this week before beginning team practices in late September. Dates and times for the team practices and intrasquad scrimmages, which will be held at L. Dale Mitchell Park and are open to the public, will be announced at a later date.

"I'm really excited about this team and to get the new year started," expressed head coach Larry Cochell. "When you have a lot of new players on a team like we have it tends to bring with it a lot of energy to the practices. I think everyone's looking forward to getting started and getting out on the field to see our potential."

Included among the class of newcomers was Charles Benoit (Southlake Carroll High School), a 19th-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2003 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft, who made the decision to put his professional dreams on hold and start college. Also turning down professional offers and returning to begin his third year at OU was junior pitcher David Purcey, a 17th-round selection by the New York Yankees in this year's draft.

Other returning players to the squad included seniors Casey Brown, Charlie House, Andrew McGuire, Mark Roberts and Mike Swindell; juniors Matt Bose, Brandon Jones and Jarod McAuliff; sophomores LaFringe Hayes, Brandon Lance, Russell Raley and Scott Rooker; and redshirt freshmen Keystone Hughes and Blake Hurlbutt.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

New Faces Join Sooner Baseball Squad As Classes Begin

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