2008 Woodie Awards
URI baseball team begins new season down South
Kayla Panu
Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: Sports
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."
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."