Preview: Infield and Outfield

Feb. 16, 2008

Schedule |

Roster |

Meet the 2008 Newcomers

Baseball News

Baseball Holds Annual Media Day (Photos and Video)

2008 Season Preview Part One

2008 Season Preview Part Two - Catchers/Pitchers

Season Tickets on Sale

Coach Golloway Q&A

Broadcast Schedule Set

OU Kicks off 2008 with Diamond Dinner

Aaron Baker

FIRST BASEMAN
L/R | So. | 6-3 | 225
Denton, Texas (Denton H.S.)

Solid both on offense and defense, Baker had a .996 fielding percentage and a .323 batting average while playing every game in 2007.

Tyson Seng

SECOND BASEMAN
R/R | Fr. | 6-1 | 175
Enid, Okla. (Enid H.S.)

The talented true freshman is projected to start opening day at second base and is also expected to contribute on the mound in 2008.

Matt Harughty

SHORTSTOP
R/R | So. | 6-0 | 170
Spring, Texas (Blinn College)

A slick-fielding shortstop, Harughty is projected to start at short for OU after hitting .356 with 22 steals last year at Blinn College.

Trey Sperring

THIRD BASEMAN
R/R | Jr. | 6-3 | 230
Cypress, Texas (San Jacinto J.C.)

A NJCAA Gold-Glove winner at third base a year ago, Sperring is expected to step in right away at third and in the middle of OU's lineup.

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Aljay Davis

CENTER FIELD
R/R | Sr. | 5-8 | 185
Lakewood, Calif. (Oklahoma A&M)

After playing 57 games at second base in 2007, Davis (.313, 28 RBIs, 17 steals) moves to his original recruited position, center field.

Jamie Johnson

LEFT FIELD
L/R | So. | 5-8 | 185
Calhoun, La. (Texarkana J.C.)

Named a third team All-American and the conference newcomer of the year, Johnson hit .474 with 33 extra base hits at Texarkana J.C.

Casey Johnson

RIGHT FIELD
L/R | Fr. | 5-10 | 188
Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite H.S.)

One of two freshman expected to start opening day, Johnson recorded an impressive .618 clip with 17 doubles as a senior at Mesquite H.S.

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DESIGNATED HITTERS
LEFT SIDE:
Aaron Baker
Jarod Freeman
Mike Gosse

RIGHT SIDE:
Zach Hedges
Ryan Mottern
Drew Roberts
Spencer Selby

NORMAN, Okla. -- Opening day is less than a week away for the Oklahoma baseball team and in preparation, SoonerSports.com brings fans a sneak peek of the 2008 season.

OU begins the year on the road at No. 1 UCLA (Baseball America) on Feb. 22 for a three-game series.

Below is the third and final feature of the three-part series, which includes a look at the Sooners' infielders and outfielders.

Click the links located on the right to access part one and two of the series.

INFIELD
Returners:
Aaron Baker, Jarod Freeman, Mike Gosse, Zach Hedges, Bryant Hernandez and Drew Roberts.

Newcomers:
Garrett Buechele, Matt Harughty, Tyson Seng, Trey Sperring and J.T. Wise

For the second consecutive season, the OU infield has one returning starter from the previous season expected to start opening day. In 2007, Aaron Reza returned at short and was joined by newcomers with a carousel of third basemen, Aljay Davis at second base and Aaron Baker at first.

In 2008, only Baker returns to an infield that could feature three newcomers in junior Trey Sperring (3B), junior Matt Harughty (SS) and freshman Tyson Seng (2B).

While the two corner infield positions are seemingly nailed down by Baker and Sperring, Golloway is still unsure on who will fill the middle portion of the infield.

"We haven't settled on the middle of our infield but we have four very talented middle infielders," said Golloway. "Bryant (Hernandez) and Mike (Gosse) both return from last season with experience in those positions but they have been tested throughout the fall by Matt and Tyson. Whoever emerges early on will win those spots."

While Baker is known for his bat after starting last season on a 22-game hitting streak, he only committed two errors in 58 games played last season.

On the other side of the infield, Sperring showed his ability at third in 2007, earning a NJCAA Gold Glove Award.

"Trey has worked very hard for us at third base and the coaching staff feels very comfortable about that position, especially after it was one of our biggest holes a year ago," said Golloway. "Aaron is a very good first baseman and that can't be overlooked despite his offensive numbers last year. We don't take for granted how well his feet work around the bag and his ability to field the baseball at first base."

OUTFIELD
Returners:
Aljay Davis, Mike Gosse, Ryan Mottern and Drew Roberts

Newcomers:
Elliott Blair, Chad Colbert, Doug Buser, Casey Johnson and Jamie Johnson

The Sooners will look to replace one of the best defensive center fielders in the Big 12 Conference in Joseph Hughes.

Looking to fill that void is senior Aljay Davis, who started last season at second base but was recruited from N.E. Oklahoma A&M as an outfielder.

"Aljay has a chance to be a difference maker for us this year, not only in center field but also hitting at the top of our lineup for the second straight season," said Golloway.

Davis will be joined by two other quick and athletic outfielders in newcomers Jamie Johnson (junior) and Casey Johnson (freshman).

Jamie Johnson was a NJCAA All-American a year ago after hitting .474 and has the ability to play all three spots in the outfield.

Casey Johnson is also versatile in the field and was impressive at the plate in 2007, recording a .618 average at Mesquite High School.

Backing up the speedy trio will be senior Ryan Mottern, redshirt freshman Elliott Blair, junior Doug Buser and sophomore Spencer Selby.

Seniors Mike Gosse and Drew Roberts also have the ability to roam the outfield effectively on top of their listed infield duties.

"Last year we had speed in center field, but this year our overall athletic ability is as good I have seen at Oklahoma," said Golloway. "Aljay, Jamie, Casey, Ryan, Doug, Elliott and Spencer provide us with perhaps the deepest position on this club."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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