Sept. 7, 2009
ATLANTA – The 2010 Georgia Tech baseball team opens its fall campaign this week, with full-squad practice starting Tuesday, Sept. 8.
The Yellow Jackets return 24 letterwinners from a 2009 squad that hosted the NCAA Atlanta Regional with a 38-18-1 overall record.
Among the everyday returning starters on the infield are senior first baseman Tony Plagman, sophomore third baseman Matt Skole, junior shortstop Derek Dietrich and senior second baseman Jason Garofalo. The lone starter in the outfield to return is junior centerfielder Jeff Rowland, who along with Plagman was selected in the 2009 MLB draft, but elected to return for his junior year.
Adding experience to the outfield will be senior Jay Dantzler and junior Chase Burnette.
Tech also returns 12 members from the 2009 pitching staff with sophomores Mark Pope, Jed Bradley, Jacob Esch and Jake Davies, juniors Deck McGuire, Brandon Cumpton, Zach Brewster, Thomas Nichols, Taylor Wood and Kevin Jacob, and seniors Patrick Long and Andrew Robinson.
“We are very excited about getting things started,” head coach Danny Hall said. “It’s always good to see the veterans and how much they have improved over the summer, and it’s also important to see how the freshmen will fit in so we can integrate them into our system. We have to make improvements as individuals and, more importantly, as a team.”
The team also welcomes five newcomers the Flats for the fall, including pitcher Luke Bard, who was also selected in June’s draft.
Starting Tuesday, the Jackets will begin practice each day at approximately 3:15 p.m., with the weekends off.
Listed below is the full fall schedule for Tech baseball:
Sept. 8 - Team Practice BeginsSept. 12-13 - Fall Showcase Camp at Russ Chandler StadiumSept. 28 - Scout DaySept. 29 - Intra Squad Scrimmages beginOct. 3-6 - Fall BreakOct. 19-21 - White & Gold World Series
Scouts from around the area will be in attendance on Sept. 28, when the Yellow Jackets participate in timed drills for major league scouts beginning at 3:15 p.m. at the stadium.
Beginning Sept. 29, Tech will play intra-squad games every day, while taking the weekend’s off. The team will not hold practice during fall break (Oct. 3-6), but will resume with an intra-squad game Wed., Oct. 7.
The annual White & Gold World Series begins Mon., Oct. 19, and continues through Wed. Oct. 21 with full games at Russ Chandler Stadium.
