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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Baseball Season Preview Part I
February 07, 2011 | Baseball
Feb. 7, 2011
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2010 starts at position: 42
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
In 2010, the Sooners repositioned themselves as one of college baseball's elite programs. OU landed in Omaha in mid-June for its 10th College World Series appearance. With a 50-18 record and a No. 5 final ranking, the Sooners posted their highest finish since claiming the program's second national title in 1994.
While the Sooners succeeded in adding another chapter of success to the storied tradition of OU baseball, the 21 letterwinners and 14 newcomers have unfinished business to attend to in 2011.
In 2010, OU produced just the fifth 50-win season in program history, and did so after replacing nine players to the 2009 MLB Draft. This season, OU doesn't have to go through another so-called “rebuilding process.” The Sooners lost two early entries to the draft in juniors Danny Black and Zach Neal and will have to replace senior Jeremy Erben, the team's clutch middle reliever who was also drafted. Overall, seven position starters return along with two weekend starting pitchers.
After last season's successful postseason run, those returners prompted Baseball America to list OU as part of its “Eight for Omaha” in 2011. The preseason rankings mirrored that prediction as the Sooners are as high as No. 5 in two polls.
“It's very flattering, the fact remains that we have to stay humble, hungry and continue to work hard,” said OU Head Coach Sunny Golloway. “And if we do those things, it gives us a great opportunity.”
Golloway and company look at Oregon State's program as a blueprint for success. The Beavers made the program's second CWS appearance in 2005 and went 0-2. They returned to Omaha in 2006 and 2007 to claim back-to-back NCAA titles.
“We believe that's how it should be done,” added Golloway. “You have to get to Omaha that first time, or in our case, back to Omaha after a 15-year absence. Then once you return with those players, they are hungry for more ... for a national title.”
While OU had several unknowns last year, the Sooners' hard work paid off to display a very balanced squad that ranked in the top 25 nationally in several offensive and defensive categories. Oklahoma was solid defensively once again with a .976 fielding percentage, it also hit over .300 as a team for the fifth straight year and connected for the second most homers in program history (105). The Sooner pitching staff was no slouch either, recording the first team ERA under 4.00 since 1984. The 3.76 ERA was accompanied by a school-record 583 strikeouts.
“While we look back with pride on our recent success, we are extremely excited and motivated to get things started for next season,” said Golloway. “We were a young team in 2010 and will use that experience and build upon that success to make the journey back to Omaha.”
The excitement building across Sooner nation is easily understood as the program returns a large group of savvy veterans entering their third and fourth year inside the program in Elliott Blair, Garrett Buechele, Ryan Duke, Chris Ellison, Casey Johnson, Tyler Ogle, Michael Rocha and Cameron Seitzer. That list of experience alone is long, especially in college baseball, but it's bolstered by the likes of Ricky Eisenberg, Ryan Gibson, Drew Harrison, Jack Mayfield, Cody Reine, Eric Ross, Bobby Shore and Max White, all of which made significant contributions in their first season in Norman in 2010.
“It was a calming effect last year to look out and see Garrett Buechele and know what he can do,” said Golloway. “This year, we not only know what Garrett can bring, but we know what Cameron Seitzer, Chris Ellison, Michael Rocha, Bobby Shore, Cody Reine, Caleb Bushyhead and all of those guys can do."
In the offseason, the experience laden team voted Blair, Buechele, Ogle and Rocha the 2011 team captains.
“Garrett is the vocal guy that keeps everyone loose, and what he does on the field speaks for itself,” added Golloway. “Tyler is vocal and real serious. Elliott is a perfectionist, a model student athlete and a great leader. Rocha has experienced everything practically everything and can be a father figure to the young hurlers.
“All of them bring something a little different. You look at the experience of the captains and you have 15 years combined, just one year shy of the maximum. That is crazy experience and a solid group to help lead this club.”
OU will depend on that leadership and experience as it faces a grueling schedule in order to make the program's 34th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and earn a return trip to the College World Series.
The journey back to Omaha begins on Friday, Feb. 18 as the Sooners host William and Mary in a four-game set. It's all part of a nine-game home stand to begin the 2011 season for the Sooners.
Fans can purchase season tickets at the OU Athletics Ticket Office or by calling 800-456-GoOU.
Johnson and Carmichael Postgame vs North Carolina
Monday, June 02
BB Highlights: OU 9, UNC 5
Monday, June 02
Johnson, Dickerson, Willits Postgame vs North Carolina
Sunday, June 01
BB Highlights: OU 17, Nebraska 1
Sunday, June 01
