The University of Akron Athletics
Fall Ball Begins for UA Baseball
September 20 | Baseball
With fall practice underway, optimism is high for the University
of Akron baseball team in head coach Pat
Bangtson's third season at the helm.
Last year, the Zips (23-24, 8-16 Mid-American Conference) posted an
eight-game improvement in the win column despite playing their
fewest games (47) since 1981 (43) due to weather conditions. On top
of that with 20 letterwinners returning, compared to just five
lost, UA appears ready to take the next step.
"We are into our second week of practice and the team has been
training hard," Bangtson said. "The weather's been great and the
guys are serious about coming in here and doing what it takes to
compete for a MAC championship this year."
One of the biggest differences at practice thus far has been the
new playing surface of Lee Jackson Field. A new irrigation system
was installed and the infield surface was re-graded in a
significant renovation project during the summer.
"The new infield is a treat to have as the hops are more true and
it plays much faster than before," said Doug
McNulty (Homer City, Pa./Homer-Center), one of two
all-conference players returning for the Zips. "It's going to be a
big boost for our infielders and our pitchers won't have to worry
as much about slowly hit ground balls taking bad bounces."
McNulty, who had a breakout season in 2007, was named to the
All-MAC second team last season and will continue to provide pop in
the middle of the Zips' potent lineup. He set career highs in
batting average (.356), hits (64), triples (4), home runs (4), RBIs
(36) and stolen bases (11) a year ago. His team-high hitting mark
was 6th in the MAC while his average of 1.45 hits per game was
third.
He was named to the all-star team for the Carolina Sox of the
Southern Collegiate Baseball League last summer after batting .295
with seven doubles, a team-high two triples and 16 RBI in 36
games.
"Playing baseball in South Carolina was a great experience and it
was an honor to be selected to the all-star team," McNulty
said.
Also headlining the list of offensive returners is All-MAC first
teamer Kurt Davidson (North Canton, Ohio/Hoover), who
became the school's all-time home runs leader last season.
Davidson, an All-MAC second teamer in 2006, continued to emerge as
one of the top hitters in the conference after leading the Zips in
a number of offensive categories including home runs (10), RBIs
(44), runs (40), total bases (109) and slugging percentage
(.553).
Davidson also became just the third Akron player to be named to the
ABCA/Rawlings All-Region team and its first since 1997.
With McNulty and Davidson anchoring an offense that was ranked
sixth in the league last season, the Zips should have an
opportunity to score a lot of runs.
"I think this year's offense has a ton of potential," Davidson
said. "Coach has been stressing playing team baseball more this
year than before. We have speed, power and can play small ball if
we have to. Anytime you have seven hitters returning to your
lineup, you're going to look for big things. But we still have to
work hard and prove ourselves to the MAC."
Davidson just completed another outstanding season of summer ball
for the Waynesboro Generals, ranked sixth in the nation by pgcrosschecker.com, of the
Virginia Valley League. The slugger was named to the all-star team
for the second consecutive year and helped guide the team to a
championship.
"This summer was an amazing experience for me," Davidson said.
"Being able to win both the regular season championship and then
the playoffs was something that I'll never forget. From that
experience, I think I can bring a leadership to the team as someone
who has won a championship in college. It might have been in summer
ball, but the competition is just as difficult, especially when
playing against some of the top players in the country."
"I learned what hard work it took for us to win that championship,"
Davidson added. "We might not have had the best players, but we
played as a team. In years' past, I was more of a leader by
example. This year, being my last, I am taking the initiative to be
more of a team leader."
Fall World Series
The 2007-08 Zips will get the opportunity to showcase their talents
in the annual best-of-five Blue and Gold Fall World Series, which
will be held at Lee Jackson Field from Oct. 8-12. Once again, more
than bragging rights will be on the line as the winning team will
be treated to a steak dinner, while the losing team will be fed hot
dogs. All games are tentatively scheduled to start at 3 p.m.
Diamond Legends Classic Reminder
As a reminder, the baseball program will play host to its
third-annual golf tournament, the Diamond Legends Classic, on
Saturday, Sept. 29, at Raintree Country Club in nearby Uniontown.
All UA letterwinners, fans, alumni and supporters are welcome to
participate in the event. Interested parties are encouraged to
register quickly as spots are limited.
The Classic is a major fund-raiser in which all proceeds benefit
the UA baseball program, while also serving as an event designed to
bring former Zips together with the current coaching staff.
To register, download the attached brochure and mail to:
Blair Danner
The University of Akron
Athletics Development
Akron, Ohio 44325-5201
Raintree Country Club is located in Uniontown, Ohio, just 10
minutes east of I-77 between Akron and Canton. For directions visit
www.raintreegc.com. For more information about this event, contact
Blair Danner at 330-972-2695 or via email at danner@uakron.edu.
Registration for Baseball Elite Skills Camp Open
The University of Akron baseball program would also like
to remind those interested in participating in its Baseball Elite
Skills Camp to register quickly. The camp, which will be held on Saturday, October 6, at 9
a.m., will allow participants
the opportunity to hone their skills on the field and will include
pitching, hitting, defense and base running instruction.
To register, complete the
attached form above (PDF) and return with payment to:
Baseball Office
Stile Athletics Field House
Suite 297
Akron, OH 44325-6302
The camp is open to all high school athletes and will be held at Lee Jackson Field and/or
the Stile Athletics Field House depending on weather
conditions. The Zips coaching
staff and current UA players will be on hand to provide supervision
and instructional guidance for all those interested.
Once again, the camp will be
split into two sessions with the first session reserved for
infielders and outfielders and the second for pitchers and
catchers. Registration for the first session will begin at 8:30
a.m. while the those looking to sign up for the second session may
do so at 11:15 a.m. The cost for each session is
$75. For those interested in attending both sessions, the cost is
$90.
For more information, please contact assistant baseball coach,
Brian Donohew at (330) 972-2393 or email
him at donohew@uakron.edu.
