South Florida Bulls
Big East Conference |
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Things are sunny at the University of South
Florida as the Bulls gear up for a run at the Big East title
and a post-season berth. Led by Coach Lelo Prado, in his second
year at the helm, the Bulls were picked to finish third in
the Big East Pre Season Coaches Poll. Their quest for the
Big East title rests on a mixture of both new and returning
talent.  Prado
has added 24 newcomers (10 transfers and 14 true freshmen)
to 11 returning players. The 2008 Bulls consist of 22 underclassmen
and just five seniors.
“We’re going to have some pretty
good players but we are young, so we need some of those guys
to come through for us,” said Prado. “The key
is the youth of the pitching staff and how fast they come
along.”
Despite the influx of youth, the Bulls also
return some leadership and experience. Junior shortstop Addison
Maruszak (.329, 44 RBI), the 2006 Big East Rookie of the Year,
and senior third baseman Charles Cleveland cover the left
side of the infield, while junior Brandon Smith and senior
Joey Angelberger will battle to cover first base.
On the mound, the Bulls look forward to the
return of junior right-handed pitcher Daniel Thomas, who,
despite red-shirting last season, was selected in the MLB
Draft. He chose to stay and play in Tampa as a Bull. Also
in the starting rotation is sophomore Matt Quevedo (4-3, 4.01
ERA, 71.0 innings pitched). Coming in to close will be sophomore
Shawn Sanford (3.10 ERA, 72.2 innings pitched). Coach Prado
is not shy about Sanford’s ability.
“If we can get the ball to Shawn Sanford
in the ninth inning, there’s no question that he should
be one of the best closers in the country this year,”
Prado said.
The Bulls will rely on two left-handed transfers
to come out of the bullpen. David Torcise, who was actually
on campus last year but had to sit out after transferring
from conference rival Louisville, and Teddy Kaufmann from
Miami. The pair look to make themselves stand out from a group
of young pitchers.
 “The
pitching staff is where the young bodies are,” said
Coach Prado. “Once the lights go on, we’ll see
who steps up. We have plenty of good arms and we just have
to see who’s going to produce at the right time.”
USF was forced to reload at the catcher position,
bringing in four new fresh bodies. Look for Trey Manz, a junior
who played on the NJCAA National Champion Chipola Community
College team, to lead the way.
In the outfield, the Bulls will rely on another
transfer, Ryan Lockwood (a red-shirt at Florida last year)
to roam center field this season.
“It starts in center field and having
Lockwood there is a plus,” said Prado. “He’s
one of the best guys I’ve had the luxury of coaching.
He’s going to be a leadoff guy with homerun potential.
He knows how to play the game and he should bring a lot to
the plate for this club.”
 On
either side of Lockwood will be returning starters Mike Consolmagno
(.298, 29 games started) or Joey Angelberger in right field,
and either junior Chris Rey or freshman Junior Carlin in left.
In fact, look for Carlin to spend a little time on the mound
this season, coming out of the bullpen as a left-handed pitcher.
A revolving door approach will be taken by
Prado at the DH spot, but look for Joey Angelberger (.279,
191 at-bats) and Todd Brazeal to carry the load. Eric Bauman
too.
The Bulls started the season on February
22nd against Indiana State, and took two of three games in
the series. They will play 56 games in 89 days, and 17 of
those will be against teams who won 40 plus games last year.
The Bulls will enjoy a little home cooking, though, as 18
of their first 19 games will be at home on the newly renovated
Red McEwen Field. After a game against perennial powerhouse
Oklahoma State on February 28, the Bulls will face a team
in an exhibition game on the 29th (Leap Day) that you may
have heard of…the New York Yankees. While we only cover
collegiate baseball here at Ping!baseball, we are told that
the Yankees are a pretty good team.
If coach Prado can pull his team’s
youth and experience together, don’t be surprised if
they win the Big East Championship (which will be played in
Florida this year), and play some regional ball.
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