Northwestern University Athletics
Batter Up! Northwestern Opens Season at Red Raider Classic
2/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 17, 2011
Red Raider Classic
Friday, Feb. 18 vs. Utah Valley, 11 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 19 vs. Western Michigan, 11 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 19 at Texas Tech, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 20 at Texas Tech, 1:30 p.m.
Dan Law Field
Lubbock, Texas
Live Video/Audio: RaiderVision All-Access
Gametracker: NUsports.com
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The boys of summer return to action this weekend as the Northwestern baseball team opens its 2011 season at the Red Raider Classic in Lubbock, Texas.
The campaign gets underway at 11 a.m. Friday as the Wildcats face Utah Valley. Saturday's action pits NU against Western Michigan at 11 a.m. followed by a contest against host Texas Tech at 2:30 p.m. The Wildcats and Red Raiders square off in a rematch at 1:30 p.m. Sunday to close out the Classic.
Northwestern is coming off a third-place Big Ten finish a year ago, going 13-11 against conference foes and 24-32 overall.
Three All-Big Ten selections from last season return to the field for the Wildcats in 2011. Senior third baseman Chris Lashmet (.327, 8 HR, 43 RBI) and junior first baseman/relief pitcher Paul Snieder (.353, 7 HR, 36 RBI) were both first-team picks. Junior Trevor Stevens (.292, 4 HR, 15 SB) was a second-team honoree at shortstop in 2010, though he's expected to make the move to the outfield this year.
Junior pitcher/infielder Zach Morton, who led the Big Ten in batting average a year ago, was also a first-team selection but will miss the 2011 campaign after suffering a knee injury in the off-season.
Junior Chris Kontos (.288, 10 2B, 23 RBI) returns to the lineup in right field, while Geoff Rowan (.279, 9 2B, 25 RBI) makes the move from left field to catcher. Sophomore Jack Havey (.276, 12 RBI), a Big Ten All-Freshman Team pick, will see time at first base and designated hitter as well as on the mound.
Speaking of the bump, junior right-hander Francis Brooke is back after tying for the team lead with five wins while pacing all starters with a 4.33 ERA. He also ranked second in the nation in fewest walks per nine innings pitched, offering just seven free passes in 89 1/3 innings of work.
In the bullpen, Snieder led the Big Ten and tied a school record with 12 saves a year ago and limited opposing batters to a .177 average. Southpaw Matt Gailey returns for his senior season after leading all Wildcats with a 1.52 ERA in 2010.
Northwestern is also incorporating a large group of 12 freshman into the mix to go along with its solid returning core. Newcomers expected to see playing time right off the bat include shortstop Kyle Ruchim, second baseman Patrick Miller and left-handed pitcher Dan Tyson.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday vs. Utah Valley - RHP Francis Brooke vs. RHP Blake Krahenbuhl
Saturday vs. Western Michigan - RHP Luke Farrell vs. LHP Casey Webber
Saturday vs. Texas Tech - LHP Jack Havey vs. LHP Robbie Kilcrease
Sunday vs. Texas Tech - RHP Michael Jahns OR LHP Dan Tyson vs. LHP Ben Flora
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