2007 Season Preview: Catchers

NORMAN, Okla. -- As the Oklahoma baseball begins practices on Tuesday, Jan. 16, Soonersports.com continues its five-part series previewing the 2007 season, which begins on Friday, Feb. 2 in the UTPA Tournament in Edinburg, Texas against Texas State.

Individual practices will begin today and continue throughout the week. The Sooners will return to full team practices on Jan. 21. Stay tuned to Soonersports.com throughout this week for the remainder of the five-part preview breaking down the Sooners by position.

The Sooners will kick off the 2007 season at the Fourth Annual Diamond Dinner on Friday, Jan. 26. Current Oklahoma players and coaches will be in attendance to join former OU greats at the banquet. Click here for more information.

PART II: CATCHERS
One of the Sooners' biggest strengths in 2007 will appear behind the plate. Junior captain Jackson Williams returns after starting the last two years at catcher for OU. Backing up Williams is sophomore Brandon Moss and freshmen Bryan Groth and Aaron Baker.

2007 Schedule | 2007 Roster | 2006 Review | OU History

“This group is without a doubt one of the deepest and most talented to catch at Oklahoma in a very long time,” said Golloway. “The coaching staff feels like we can play any one of the four catchers on any given day. They all have the ability to work well with our pitchers and pitching coach Fred Corral.”

Williams has appeared in over 120 games in his two years in Norman and is ready to position himself among the country's elite at the position.

“Jackson has the strongest arm that I have seen in 16 years of coaching, which includes a handful of kids that have been drafted,” said Golloway. “He excels with the way he handles our starters and helps them control the tempo of the game. And along with Coach Corral, he has learned how to effectively call a game.”

Golloway and company also have the luxury of resting Williams when needed with three talented catchers behind him. Moss appeared in 12 games last year behind the dish and 29 overall in the Sooners' lineup as he finished 2006 as the squad's designated hitter. Groth and Baker could also see significant time after successful fall campaigns.

“Brandon's offensive ability provides him the opportunity to appear in our lineup everyday and he will see plenty of time at both at catcher and in the infield,” added Golloway. “Additionally, we are fortunate to have two very talented freshmen that represent OU's future at the catcher position.”

2007 Oklahoma Returning Catchers

Jackson Williams
Registered 112 starts at the catcher position in his first two seasons at OU. Hit .292 with 36 RBIs last season, including 10 RBIs and eight doubles during his career-high seven-game hitting streak.

Brandon Moss
One of the Sooners' clutch hitters during the 2006 NCAA Norman Regional with a career-high four RBIs vs. TCU. Spent majority of his time in the lineup as the club's designated hitter (Caught 12 games).

Newcomers
Bryan Groth - Spring Texas (Klein H.S.) - pictured left
Aaron Baker - Denton, Texas (Denton H.S.)

Stay tuned to Soonersports.com on Wednesday for the third part of the 2007 season preview focusing on the Sooners' pitchers.

2007 SEASON PREVIEW
Mon. - General Outlook
Tues. - Catchers
Wed. - Pitchers
Thurs. - Infield
Fri. - Outfield

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets for the 2007 OU baseball season are now on sale through the OU Athletics Ticket Office and SoonerSports.com. To order your season tickets please call the OU Athletics Ticket Office at (405) 325-2424 or (800) 456-4668 or click here for more information available on SoonerSports.com.

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