We're back sports fans, taking a look at the 2010 Liberty Flames baseball team. This week the Flames kick off their season facing teh Kennesaw State Owls. We're looking at the guys who will be taking the field in Liberty uniform this spring. Today its the infielders and catchers
Infielders
One thing that is a huge benefit for LU is that the entire starting infield is coming back for next year. Going around the horn starting at first base is Trey Wimmer. Wimmer tied for third on the team last year with 6 HRs going on to hit .299 with 32 RBIs (good for fifth on the team last spring). JC transfer PJ Jimenez came right in and started at second base and made a big impression, finishing fourth on the team in fielding percentage (.982). Matt Williams (not to be confused with or related to the former MLB star) came in as a true freshman and did not disappoint, hitting .288, with 49 runs scored (good for second on the team) and 13 stolen bases in 20 attempts (easily leading the team). Another freshman last year, Tyler Bream, comes back to man the "hot corner". Bream, son of former Major Leaguer Sid Bream, made about as big a splash as a freshman could make before going down to injury. Despite only playing 46 games, he finished third on the team in hitting (.337), tied for the team lead in home runs (8) and led the team in slugging percentage (.572). He was voted a freshman All-American and if not for his injury, probably would have been an all conference selection.
Finally, the biggest change in the infield actually comes from behind the plate, where four year starter all conference selection Errol Hollinger graduated. The cupboard is by no means bare behind the plate as senior Nate Thompson, Hollinger's primary backup, will take his place. behind thompson for the most part will be transfer Jerry Neufang as well as Trey Wimmer although expect most if not all of his action to be at first base.
Two players look to get their chances on the field this year in Josh Richardson and Austin Taylor. Richardson comes to the Flames after finishing his career at Greenbrier Christian Academy as the Virginia State Player of the year for private schools and Taylor comes fron the Florida panhandle after spending a year at Tallahassee Community College where he led the team in runs scored (67) and RBIs (56) so he certainly brings a big bat to the mountain. Taylor was also selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2007 MLB player entry draft.
Tomorrow we will wrap up the player portion of our preview by looking at the outfield.
Until then...
Fan the Flames
All information and statistics comes from the Liberty Flames official athletic website www.libertyflames.com
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