By Whitney Spencer
Last season the University of Louisville baseball team swept the Big East regular season and conference titles and advanced to the Super Regionals of the NCAA Tournament.
With a schedule that holds 31 games at Jim Patterson Stadium, 41 games against Bowl Championship Series Conference schools and 12 games against NCAA Regionals teams from last year, the Cardinals will be competing against some proven teams in college baseball.
The Cardinals return seven position starters and most of the pitching staff from last year’s team. The Cards also added one of the top-ranked recruiting classes in the nation, with their 2009 class.
“It’s was a very successful year for us on the recruiting trail, and our coaches always work extremely hard to sign extremely talented players who can step in and contribute to our team,” said baseball head coach Dan McDonnell.
The freshman class is highlighted by two right-handed pitchers, including Andy Flett and one left-handed pitcher. Louisville also signed several position players, including second basemen Kyle Grieshaber, third baseman Cade Stallings, outfielder Jarred Clarkson, and two-way player Zak Wasserman.
“I think the freshmen are very talented,” said senior first baseman Andrew Clark. “The pitchers are solid, and the hitters can compete. They are definitely a mature group and love to get after it on the field and in the weight room. As they develop, they will continue to bring success to the program.”
One of the right-handed pitchers, Matt Koch, was one of the top prospects coming out of high school. As the top prep prospect in Iowa, he was a four-sport standout that harnessed a fastball reaching 93 miles per hour, and an 82-mph slider. Koch saw opportunity in bringing his skills to Louisville.
“I loved the coaches and the facilities and I wanted a chance to play in the College World Series,” said Koch.
After losing third baseman Chris Dominguez to the Major League Baseball draft, third baseman Cade Stallings is here to try to fill that position. With his physical play, he has the opportunity to step in and play third base immediately. Stallings’ aggressive swing gives him the ability to overpower balls, which adds to his skills as a player.
Shortstop Kyle Grieshaber didn’t take long to impress U of L coaches, and it didn’t take long for Louisville to impress the Chesterfield, Missouri shortstop. Grieshaber, who chose the Cardinals over interest from several other schools, was impressed by everything about the Louisville program, including the opportunity to compete for the starting shortstop position as a freshman.
“We have a lot of talented newcomers on this squad that we believe will earn plenty of opportunities to succeed at the plate and on the mound,” said McDonnell. “But we’re not expecting any of them to replace two of the best players in school history, in Chris and Justin [Marks].”
In addition to one of the top recruiting classes, the Cards will have first baseman Andrew Clark back for his senior season, after he opted not to join the Chicago Cubs, following the MLB draft.
“It was a difficult decision to return,” said Clark. “As a matter of fact, I told the Cubs I was going to sign, and had a flight for Arizona on a Wednesday afternoon. I met with Coach [McDonnell] on a Monday the week I was leaving, and well, here I am…It was definitely a hard decision, and something I prayed long and hard about. But it has been worth every bit of it.”
As a junior last season, Clark was second on the team in hitting, with a .350 average, 9 home runs and 55 RBIs. He started at first base in 64 of the Cardinals’ 65 games.
The impact of the new class of Cardinal baseball players remains to be seen, but McDonnell has confidence in every position on the team.
“We have a highly talented group of returning players, from a Big East championship and NCAA Super Regional team, that will carry the load for us in 2010,” said McDonnell. “And we’ll see which newcomers can make an immediate impact for us.”
The Cardinals know the season will be tough, but are up for the challenge. With the return of so many pivotal players, especially Clark at first base, the Cards are ready to defend their Big East titles.
“My expectations for this year are to go all the way,” said Clark. “I want this team to have the mentality and team chemistry it takes to get the ring with the number one on it. We have had some great success in the past few years, but that’s just not enough.”
