URI baseball team begins new season down South

By: Kayla Panu

Posted: 2/28/07

02/28/07 - After finishing with a 43-16 record and winning its fourth straight Atlantic 10 regular season title last year, the University of Rhode Island baseball team began its new season in Florida last weekend.

The team traveled to Florida for a four-game series against Florida International University starting last Friday. They went 1-3 with below average pitching and defense, head coach Jim Foster said. He was positive about his teams offensive production, however.

Without having stepped onto a field all winter, the Rams were challenged by a very strong team.

"You never know what you're going to get in the start," Foster said about the first few games of each season.

On Friday, the Rams lost 15-10 against the Golden Panthers when they let 10 runs score in an unruly bottom of the third. On Saturday they played a doubleheader, winning the first one 6-4 but losing at night 12-11. On Sunday URI lost 15-13.

"It's kind of what you expect when they hadn't been on a field yet," Foster said. He added that they have their legs underneath them now.

Senior captain Ryan Cunningham was named A-10 Baseball Player of the Week this week.

"Ryan has been a special player for us," Foster said. "He is a real solid college baseball player and he is great to have around. He is a great kid."

He was also named to the College Baseball Foundation National Weekly Honor Roll. He went 10-for-19 in the four-game series with nine RBIs, five runs scored and one stolen base.

When asked how the team compares so far to last season, Foster said, "We've got a chance to be very competitive again if the pitching and defense shape up."

Foster also added a new member to his coaching staff, Phil Davidson, on Feb. 2. Davidson attended North Carolina State University as a pitcher and was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in May 2005. He played about a year in the minor leagues before being hired by Foster.

"He is a big help with the pitching staff," Foster said about Davidson. "He came in and helped with day-to-day operation and time management. He is doing a good job."

Coming back from losing its two A-10 contests in the playoffs least season, the team has added about nine new players to the roster while only losing about five seniors from last year.

Senior catcher Dan Tucker did not play last season but has returned this year. Also added to this year's roster are freshman first baseman Jack Greenberg, two new second basemen Fernando Robles and Oliver Palmer, outfielder Zoey Angulo, and four new pitchers. The pitchers include freshmen Nick Greenwood, Eric Smith, Dan Rossignol, and Mark Fraser.

The team's goals this season are to win the A-10. "Our goals every year are to win the regular season, the playoffs, and make it to the regionals," Foster said. In the conference, Charlotte and St. Louis are usually URI's biggest competitors, Foster said, but it could be anyone else as well.

Last year they lost to St. Louis in the A-10 playoffs 3-2 and to George Washington 6-5. "Last year was a great year," Foster said. "We tied the record for the most wins in a single season." They also had the NCAA leader in pitching last year with Steve Holmes. In May 2006, the New York Mets drafted him in the fifth round.

This year they hope to have a good spring, weather wise. "We keep our fingers crossed for a decent spring," Foster said. "We are going to see how it goes and hope for the best."

"If it is a decent day, come out and enjoy the game," Foster said.