Jackets Begin 2011 Preseason Practice on Friday

Jan. 26, 2011

ATLANTA – The Georgia Tech baseball team will hold its first official practice of the 2011 season this Friday, Jan. 28, beginning at 2:45 p.m. at Russ Chandler Stadium.

The Yellow Jackets, currently ranked No. 19 in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper preseason poll, return 16 letterwinners and four starters (2 position players, two pitchers) from a 2010 squad that finished 47-15 overall, received a No. 8 national seed and hosted the NCAA Atlanta regional.

A few the returnees are garnering some national attention during the preseason, as junior pitchers Jed Bradley and Mark Pope, and junior infielder Matt Skole were all named to the Louisville Slugger Preseason All-America Third Team in December.

The Jackets also welcome 17 newcomers from a highly-touted recruiting class that was ranked No. 6 in the nation by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Head coach Danny Hall enters his 18th season at the helm on the Flats. The Jackets are 737-328-1 under Hall and have made 15 NCAA Regional appearances in his 17 seasons, including three trips to the College World Series.

Tech opens the 2011 season by hosting Kent State for a three-game weekend series, Feb. 18-20, at Russ Chandler Stadium.

Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 1, and continuing every day until the season opener, fans can go to ramblinwreck.com/baseball to learn more about the 17 newcomers in the “Countdown to first pitch” series.

Tickets are still available to the 2011 Baseball Benefit Dinner on Feb. 17 at the Georgia Tech Hotel. High-powered sports agent Scott Boras will be this year’s guest speaker at the event. RSVP to Nick Scherer at nscherer@athletics.gatech.edu or by calling 404-894-2261.