Feb. 12, 2014

UNLV-CMU Game Notes

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV baseball team enters the 2014 season coming off of its best season since 2004 after it finished 37-20 (18-12 Mountain West) in 2013. The Rebels look to build off that momentum, but doing so is not going to be an easy task. UNLV has loaded up the schedule and has added 15 new faces to the program. However, the team returns 17 letterwinners, seven of which are defensive starters, and six pitchers from a team that finished second in the Mountain West.

SCOUTING THE REBELS
Junior RHP Erick Fedde comes into the season after a red hot summer that saw him pitch at an elite level in the Cape Cod League and make two appearances for the USA Collegiate National Team, including a start against the Cuban National Team. Fedde was named to Baseball America's Preseason All-America Second Team heading into this season. The Rebels also return junior RHP John Richy, who has had a stellar fall and looks to push Fedde for the Friday starting spot this season. Richy, who was the national pitcher of the week after his performance against Stanford last season, spent the offseason perfecting his pitches. Perfect Game lists him as the No. 13 best prospect in the Mountain West entering this season. Sophomores Kenny Oakley and Bryan Bonnell will round out this weekend's pitching rotation. Oakley looks to pick up where he left off after having a solid freshman campaign. Bonnell bounced back and forth from the mound to first base last season, but will primarily pitch for the Rebels moving forward. He had a strong summer and has looked great this fall. Sophomore Brayden Torres looks be one of the best options out of the bullpen early on this season. Torres had a great summer in the California Collegiate League and has been dominant this fall. UNLV will also return Zack Hartman, who missed most of last season due to a shoulder injury that saw him get Tommy John surgery last March. He enters the 2014 season with 16 career saves, which is tied for the most saves in school history. Senior Patrick Armstrong is the top returning hitter for UNLV and the Mountain West. He averaged .373 last season and hit 15 doubles and seven home runs while driving in 40 runs. Armstrong will also be the Rebels' starting first baseman entering the year. Younger brother Joey Armstrong returns for his sophomore season, but will move from third base to center field. Joey Armstrong had a great summer in the Texas Collegiate League and saw action at third base, outfield and catcher. Junior T.J. White will return to the hot corner this season after spending last season at shortstop. White hit .335 last year and led the Rebels with 12 stolen bases.

SCOUTING THE CHIPPEWAS
The Central Michigan Chippewas were in the midst of a rebuilding year last season. The Chips finished with a 25-32 overall record, but return most of the talent from one year ago. Junior first baseman Cody Leichman led the squad from the plate in 2013 with a .341 average. The Chippewas also return infield starters Pat MacKenzie and Noel Santos at second base and shortstop, respectively. Heading into the season, the third base position is still up for grabs. CMU also returns three starters to the outfield. Junior Nick Regnier will roam center field, while sophomore Neal Jacobs will be in left and sophomore Logan Regnier will be in right field. Jacbos hit .271 in 2013, but he had six home runs, which ranked second on the team. From a pitching standpoint, the Chippewas boast a talented and deep staff. Leading the charge will be junior RHP Jordan Foley. He was recently named the No. 37 junior prospect in the country and the top prospect in the MAC by Baseball America. He went 6-6 a year ago with a 3.08 ERA and recorded 90 strikeouts. Senior Pat Kaminska is coming off an injury and looks to add depth to the starting rotation. Freshman Nick Deeg and sophomore Adam Aldred are young but extremely talented.

UNLV-CMU HISTORY
The UNLV Rebels own a 7-4 record over the Central Michigan Chippewas. The Rebels and Chips most recently opened up the 2011 season at Earl E. Wilson Stadium with a four game series which saw UNLV take 3-of-4 games. The two teams first met in 1988 when the Chippewas beat the Rebels 10-7 in the NCAA Regionals (Tempe). That was the only game in the series that has not been played in Las Vegas.

ON DECK
After the four-game series with the Chippewas, UNLV will play its first road games of the 2014 season. The Rebels will travel to Knoxville, Tennessee to play the Tennessee Volunteers. The Vols opened the 2013 season at Earl E. Wilson Stadium and this will serve as UNLV's return trip. This will be the first time that the Rebels and Volunteers have played in Tennessee. UNLV has a 4-2 overall record against the Vols.

MARKETING PROMOTIONS
This season there will be several promotions and giveaways at UNLV baseball games. The first giveaway will be Friday night, which has been dubbed "Fleece Blanket Night." Saturday is "Trading Card Day" and fans can collect the first series of trading cards featuring UNLV baseball players.

SAVE MONEY AND TIME, BUY ONLINE
UNLV Athletics is implementing a new system for the baseball season where fans can purchase their tickets to a home game online and save money. Visit UNLVtickets.com to purchase a ticket for just $5 and select the "Free Will Call" option. The deal expires three hours before the first pitch of every home game. Prices for individual games are $8 for adults, $6 for faculty/staff and seniors and $5 for groups of 15 or more (Group tickets must be purchased at least one day in advance for the game). Children 12 and under and UNLV students with a valid student I.D. are free.