Feb. 17, 2011
Complete Release in PDF Format
WHAT'S ON TAP THIS WEEK IN AZTEC BASEBALL
San Diego State opens its 2010 campaign with three home contests against a pair of teams from the southeastern part of the country. The season opener is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 18, when Winthrop visits Tony Gwynn Stadium for a 1:00 p.m. contest. That game was moved to an afternoon contest in an attempt to avoid inclement weather expected that evening. The Eagles will return to SDSU's home field on Sunday, Feb. 20, for a 1:00 p.m. contest. In between those game vs. Winthrop, the Aztecs will face nationally-ranked Vanderbilt on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 7:00 p.m. Prior to that contest, the Commodores will play University of San Diego at 3:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
FOR OPENERS
San Diego State has a record of 47-24-1 in season openers since 1936. Since attaining Division I status in 1969, the Aztecs are 26-14 in their annual debuts. SDSU has won only four of its last 13 season debuts. The Aztecs, however, have won three of their last four season openers including victories over Cal Poly (2007), University of San Diego (2008) and Bethune-Cookman (2009). When opening the season in San Diego, SDSU has an all-time record of 28-10-1 and the Aztecs are 13-8 as a Division I school when beginning the year at home.
WEEKEND ROTATION
SDSU's pitching rotation for the opening weekend includes Bryan Crabb on Friday along with Ethan Miller and TJ Kendzora on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Crabb (4-5, 3.89 in 2010), from nearby Coronado High School, was SDSU's No. 2 starter as a freshman last year when he earned conference pitcher of the week honors twice during the season. Miller (0-2, 5.75), a sophomore from Chino Hills, Calif., was the team's No. 3 starter last season as a true freshman. Kendzora (11-2, 1 save, 2.00 as a high school senior) was an honorable mention All-American as a senior at El Toro (Calif.) High School in 2010.
COLWELL RETURNS
Senior center fielder Pat Colwell, who sat out the 2010 campaign due to injury, returns and will resume his starting spot in center field to begin the season. As a junior in 2009, Colwell batted .300 with 45 runs scored and 15 RBI. He was regarded as the team's top defensive outfielder that season, finishing with a .972 fielding percentage.
PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
Junior outfielder Brandon Meredith was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-American second team for the 2011 campaign. He was also selected to the 11-man preseason all-Mountain West Conference team in a vote of the league's head coaches and a select media panel. Meredith led the MWC last season with a .489 batting average in 2010. He also had 27 RBI in 22 league games with a .705 slugging percentage and a .575 on-base average. Overall Meredith hit .383 overall with 11 double, seven HR and 54 runs batted in.
CRABB MAKES COMEBACK
Bryan Crabb, who was the Aztecs' No. 2 starter as a freshman last season, moves into the role of No. 1 starter this season. His 2010 season ended prematurely in mid-May when he was hit in the head by a line drive during SDSU's series at Brigham Young. Crabb, whose dad Greg was a pitcher at SDSU during the 1981-82 seasons, earned conference pitcher of the week honors twice last year. His 3.89 earned run average ov3er his 13 starts is the best mark for a returning Aztec pitcher.
GETTING PLUNKED
Two of SDSU's players adept at getting hit by pitch during their college careers will be on the field this season. Senior Pat Colwell is the Aztec career leader with 31 plunkings while junior Brandon Meredith ranks third with 25. Meredith was hit 14 times during the 2010 season, a total that ranks second all-time for an SDSU batter. Colwell was hit 13 times during both the 2008 and 2009 campaigns.
YOUTH WILL BE SERVED
Of the 32 players on San Diego State's roster, 16 are true freshmen. Three others are in their first year at SDSU after arriving from the junior college ranks. Over half (20) of the athletes on the 2011 roster are from San Diego county.