Baseball Begins 2012 at Furman
2/16/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 16, 2012
Miami kicks off the 2012 baseball season this weekend with a three-game series at Furman in Greenville, S.C. Games are slated for 4 p.m. on Friday, 12 noon on Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
Miami, 35-25 last season, was picked second in the East Division in the preseason Mid-American Conference poll, trailing only defending division and tournament champion Kent State. One coach also tabbed the RedHawks as the tournament champion.
Overall, the RedHawks return 15 letterwinners, with eight of those being pitchers (two conference starters). including eight on the pitching staff.
Junior Mac Thoreson (6-4, 2.22 ERA in 2011) has earned the role of opening-day starter, while junior Brooks Fiala (7-4, 2.53 ERA is slated for Saturday. Senior Shawn Marquardt (3-6, 5.00 ERA) draws the starting assignment on Sunday.
Other hurlers expected to make an impact in 2012 are Matt Rosinski (2-3, 2.45 ERA, 23 appearances), Brandon Atkins (1-2, 3 saves, 4.05 ERA, 24 appearances), Joe Neff (3-1, 3.63, 13 starts) and Seth Varner (1-1, 6.50, 16 appearqances).
In the field, Miami has a solid corps of outfielders, but needs to replace all four infielders and the catcher. Sophomore Marcus Makuch led the RedHawks in batting a year ago with a .327 average, while adding a home run and 17 runs batted in. He should continue in the designated-hitter role most of the year. Senior Bryce Redeker (.307/7 HRs/50 RBIs) is the only other returner who topped the .300 mark. Senior Ryan Brenner, who was second in the country in stolen bases in 2011 with 39, returns but will move from centerfield to second base.
As a team, the 2011 RedHawks batted .291 while posting a 3.30 team ERA. Last year, Miami fielded at .968.
