The Great West Football Conference is looking to expand, but not in a way that would put UC Davis any closer to an automatic postseason bid in football. According to this article from the McAllen (TX) Monitor, the conference is looking into starting an all-sports division. Among the schools interested in joining this new league -- University of Texas-Pan American, Chicago State, Utah Valley State, Longwood and the New Jersey Institute of Technology. All are currently D-I Independents. I'm all for schools finding a home, but the only people who think of New Jersey as the Great West are New Yorkers, as evidenced by this famous magazine cover.
As someone who lived in New York City for four years, I can testify that this view of the world is absolutely true.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
McAtee a Dust Devil
So much for my projections.
This story indicates UC Davis pitcher Brad McAtee has signed a professional contract and will start the season with the Tri-City (Wash.) Dust Devils in the Colorado Rockies' organization:
McAtee, the Aggies' No. 2 starter who was 8-5 with a 3.18 ERA, was a 45th-round selection.
If Fitzgerald ends up with the Salem-Keizer (Ore.) Volcanoes, there will be three former Aggies in the short-season Northwest League. Ryan Royster was assigned to the Everett (Wash.) AquaSox.
This story indicates UC Davis pitcher Brad McAtee has signed a professional contract and will start the season with the Tri-City (Wash.) Dust Devils in the Colorado Rockies' organization:
McAtee, the Aggies' No. 2 starter who was 8-5 with a 3.18 ERA, was a 45th-round selection.
If Fitzgerald ends up with the Salem-Keizer (Ore.) Volcanoes, there will be three former Aggies in the short-season Northwest League. Ryan Royster was assigned to the Everett (Wash.) AquaSox.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Evans a Jammer
The Aggies were expected to lose catcher Jake Jefferies and pitcher Justin Fitzgerald, both juniors, to professional teams.
It looks like junior starting pitcher Bryan Evans is gone as well.
This story indicates Evans is on the Jamestown (N.Y.) Jammers short-season roster. Evans was picked by the Florida Marlins in the 14th round of last week's baseball draft.
Evans was 3-3 with a 4.91 ERA but he led the staff with 71 strikeouts.
It's kind of an educated guess, but don't be surprised to see Brad McAtee and Andy Suiter pass on professional contracts and return to UC Davis next season. If that happens, the Aggies' weekend rotation would likely be McAtee on Friday, Suiter on Saturday and Jeremy McChesney on Sunday. Of course, that's a long way away.
More updates on where UCD players are assigned when they become available.
It looks like junior starting pitcher Bryan Evans is gone as well.
This story indicates Evans is on the Jamestown (N.Y.) Jammers short-season roster. Evans was picked by the Florida Marlins in the 14th round of last week's baseball draft.
Evans was 3-3 with a 4.91 ERA but he led the staff with 71 strikeouts.
It's kind of an educated guess, but don't be surprised to see Brad McAtee and Andy Suiter pass on professional contracts and return to UC Davis next season. If that happens, the Aggies' weekend rotation would likely be McAtee on Friday, Suiter on Saturday and Jeremy McChesney on Sunday. Of course, that's a long way away.
More updates on where UCD players are assigned when they become available.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Coming this week
We're wrapping UC Davis' first season in Division I this week, look for a story on Sunday. By most measures, it was pretty successful.
Today, however, we have a look forward for the football program, which is going to hit the magical 90-percent scholarship funding mark this coming academic year. Leaving aside the question of why the campus isn't at 100 percent, this is a pretty big deal. It means is that starting in 2009 the Aggies can play anyone in the Football Bowl Subdivision without that FBS team having to petition the NCAA for the win to count toward postseason eligibility. More FBS schools (especially regional FBS schools) are likely, therefore, to want to play UCD. For its part, the athletic department seems to be ready to take multiple teams a year up on their offer.
The full story will be available this afternoon.
Today, however, we have a look forward for the football program, which is going to hit the magical 90-percent scholarship funding mark this coming academic year. Leaving aside the question of why the campus isn't at 100 percent, this is a pretty big deal. It means is that starting in 2009 the Aggies can play anyone in the Football Bowl Subdivision without that FBS team having to petition the NCAA for the win to count toward postseason eligibility. More FBS schools (especially regional FBS schools) are likely, therefore, to want to play UCD. For its part, the athletic department seems to be ready to take multiple teams a year up on their offer.
The full story will be available this afternoon.
Friday, June 6, 2008
The Lights are on
This doesn't look like much, but it's actually a very important picture. Aggie Stadium passed a major test Thursday night, when its emergency-lighting system was approved by the campus fire department. What happened Thursday was that the lights were turned up to full power and then cut off to see if the back-up generators flipped on. This is to make sure that if there's a power outage, there's enough light for people to get out of the stadium in case of emergency. All of these shots are courtesy of Enterprise photographer Greg Rihl.
Greg is a stickler for lighting. So I asked him what he thought of the place. "This is going to be a great place to shoot sports. The are no shadows and the light is even everywhere." Then he proceeded to say some unkind things about the lighting at Toomey and Halden Field at Davis High
UC Davis head coach Bob Biggs walked the field before the lights were even at full power and declared himself excited. Sept. 13's opener is going to be a pretty exciting atmosphere. Biggs also said he expects to use the stadium a little more for practice this summer and fall. For one thing, the season opener against San Jose State has been moved to 5 p.m., and he said he'll want to practice later the days just to get everyone's body accustomed to working at that time.
How good are the lights? Even this guy can look good running on the turf at Aggie Stadium.
Second day of draft
The Aggies have had four more players taken on the second day of the draft: junior closer Justin Fitzgerald (Giants, Round 11), senior center fielder Ryan Royster (Mariners, Round 13), junior pitcher Bryan Evans (Marlins, Round 14) and senior pitcher Eddie Gamboa (Orioles, Round 21).
If Fitzgerald signs, he'll be the third UCD player in the Giants' organization, joining Dave McKae and Tyler LaTorre. McKae is with the Double-A Connecticut Defenders and LaTorre is with the Single-A San Jose Giants.
More updates when they become available.
Looks like two more Aggies were taken in the later rounds: Set-up man Andy Suiter in the 32nd round by the Yankees and Brad McAtee in the 45th round by the Rockies.
The late pick of McAtee could mean that he returns to the Aggies next season and tries to improve his draft stock. McAtee was just as impressive as Gamboa at times this season and pitched well in the regional against Pepperdine. UCD pitching coach Matt Vaughn said he was surprised McAtee was taken that low.
Teams have until Aug. 15 to sign those players. Otherwise, they lose their rights and they can go back into the draft the following season.
If Fitzgerald signs, he'll be the third UCD player in the Giants' organization, joining Dave McKae and Tyler LaTorre. McKae is with the Double-A Connecticut Defenders and LaTorre is with the Single-A San Jose Giants.
More updates when they become available.
Looks like two more Aggies were taken in the later rounds: Set-up man Andy Suiter in the 32nd round by the Yankees and Brad McAtee in the 45th round by the Rockies.
The late pick of McAtee could mean that he returns to the Aggies next season and tries to improve his draft stock. McAtee was just as impressive as Gamboa at times this season and pitched well in the regional against Pepperdine. UCD pitching coach Matt Vaughn said he was surprised McAtee was taken that low.
Teams have until Aug. 15 to sign those players. Otherwise, they lose their rights and they can go back into the draft the following season.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Jefferies is a Ray
UC Davis junior catcher Jake Jefferies was selected by the Tampa Bay (Don't call them Devil) Rays as the first pick of the third round, No. 78 overall.
Jefferies was the fifth catcher drafted, following Florida State's Buster Posey (Giants, No. 5), high schooler Kyle Shipworth (Marlins, No. 6), Stanford's Jason Castro (Astros, No. 10) and another prep guy Brett Lawrie (Brewers, No. 16).
In case you're wondering, the No. 78 pick from last season, Keith Weiser of Miami, signed with the Rockies for $455,000.
UCD third baseman Daniel Descalso went in the third round last season and was the 112th overall pick.
Jefferies was the fifth catcher drafted, following Florida State's Buster Posey (Giants, No. 5), high schooler Kyle Shipworth (Marlins, No. 6), Stanford's Jason Castro (Astros, No. 10) and another prep guy Brett Lawrie (Brewers, No. 16).
In case you're wondering, the No. 78 pick from last season, Keith Weiser of Miami, signed with the Rockies for $455,000.
UCD third baseman Daniel Descalso went in the third round last season and was the 112th overall pick.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Super Regionals
In case anyone is wondering, UC Davis went 7-7 against teams left in the Super Regionals. The Big West will be represented by Cal State Fulleton and UC Irvine as the league did not embarass itself, unlike the SEC, which sent nine schools to the postseason but gained just two in the Super Regionals.
Here's a link to the Super Regional teams, dates and sites by Baseball America:
Check out the Enterprise blog on Thursday and Friday for updates on Aggies taken in the draft. Expect catcher Jake Jefferies to go in the first few rounds. Pitchers Eddie Gamboa, Brad McAtee, Bryan Evans and Justin Fitzgerald are also expected to be taken, along with center fielder Ryan Royster.
Here's a link to the Super Regional teams, dates and sites by Baseball America:
Check out the Enterprise blog on Thursday and Friday for updates on Aggies taken in the draft. Expect catcher Jake Jefferies to go in the first few rounds. Pitchers Eddie Gamboa, Brad McAtee, Bryan Evans and Justin Fitzgerald are also expected to be taken, along with center fielder Ryan Royster.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Stayin' alive
STANFORD - The Aggies and Cardinal are fighting for their lives in an elimination game at Sunken Diamond. Stanford is ahead 3-2 heading into the top of the fifth.
UCD pitcher Bryan Evans is laboring, but he escapes a two-on, two-out situation in the top of the inning, inducing Stanford's dangerous catcher Jason Castro to fly out to center to end the inning.
The Aggies had Stanford pitcher Jeffrey Inman on the ropes in the first inning, loading the bases with no outs. The Aggies settle for a single run and Inman seems to have settled down in the third and fourth.
Stanford's second run scored when UCD left fielder Kevin James loses Randy Molina's fly ball in the sun. Castro scored on the play and Molina wound up at second for a double.
Evans is at 91 pitches, so it will be interesting how much longer he can go.
UPDATE at 2:51 p.m. The Aggies tie the game 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth on Ryan Scoma's two-out, RBI single to right. Ryan Royster reaches on a bunt single to lead off the inning and scores from second on the single.
UPDATE at 3:03 p.m. UCD reliever Andy Suiter replaces Evans with a runner at third and one out and keeps the game tied. Jake Schlander strikes out and Cord Phelps grounds out. Evans finishes with 113 pitches in 5 1/3 innings.
UPDATE AT 3:21 p.m. Suiter works out a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh as Brandon Domarack pops up to third baseman Ty Kelly to end the inning.
UPDATE AT 3:34. Jake Jefferies, who has struggled for much of the regional, singles against Inman with one out to tie Dave Nix for the single-season school record in hits with 95. Kelly had reached on an error prior to the hit. But Inman retires Scoma to end the inning. Marco Grifantini replaces Suiter in the top of the eighth.
UPDATE AT 3:47 p.m. The Aggies summon closer Justin Fitzgerald to pitch with one on and out out in the eighth. Fitzgerald allows a single to Cord Phelps to put runners at first and third, but Joey August grounds into an inning-ending double play.
UPDATE at 4:04 p.m. The Aggies have the lead! Matt Dempsey's sacrifice fly to left scores Evan Hudson to make it 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth. UCD uses a hit-and-run single from Grant Hirnese to set up Dempsey's RBI.
UPDATE at 4:11 The lead is gone! Castro reaches on Hudson's fielding error and Brent Milleville unloads on a 1-and-0 fastball from Fitzgerald over the left-field fence. The Stanford bench is going nuts! Molina follows with a double and Trevor Fox replaces Fitzgerald, who entered the game with 15 saves. Fox strikes out Sean Ratliff but walks pinch-hitter Toby Gerhart, and Jeremy McChesney is the new UCD pitcher.
UPDATE at 4:28: Stanford continues to pile it on. The Cardinal up the lead to 7-4 with consecutive RBI singles from Zach Jones and Schlander against McChesney. Colin McCusker is UCD's seventh pitcher.
UPDATE at 4:31: Phelps' RBI single scored one more run, but Joey August hits into a double play to end the inning. Stanford leads 8-4 heading to the bottom of the ninth.
FINAL UPDATE at 4:44: Kelly and Jefferies each single with two outs, but Scoma grounds out to end the game. With the hit, Jefferies is the school's single-season hit leader with 96. Kelly was 8-for-13 in the regional and finishes the season at .397.
STANFORD 8, UC DAVIS 4.
The Cardinal will play Pepperdine at 5:45 p.m.
UCD pitcher Bryan Evans is laboring, but he escapes a two-on, two-out situation in the top of the inning, inducing Stanford's dangerous catcher Jason Castro to fly out to center to end the inning.
The Aggies had Stanford pitcher Jeffrey Inman on the ropes in the first inning, loading the bases with no outs. The Aggies settle for a single run and Inman seems to have settled down in the third and fourth.
Stanford's second run scored when UCD left fielder Kevin James loses Randy Molina's fly ball in the sun. Castro scored on the play and Molina wound up at second for a double.
Evans is at 91 pitches, so it will be interesting how much longer he can go.
UPDATE at 2:51 p.m. The Aggies tie the game 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth on Ryan Scoma's two-out, RBI single to right. Ryan Royster reaches on a bunt single to lead off the inning and scores from second on the single.
UPDATE at 3:03 p.m. UCD reliever Andy Suiter replaces Evans with a runner at third and one out and keeps the game tied. Jake Schlander strikes out and Cord Phelps grounds out. Evans finishes with 113 pitches in 5 1/3 innings.
UPDATE AT 3:21 p.m. Suiter works out a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh as Brandon Domarack pops up to third baseman Ty Kelly to end the inning.
UPDATE AT 3:34. Jake Jefferies, who has struggled for much of the regional, singles against Inman with one out to tie Dave Nix for the single-season school record in hits with 95. Kelly had reached on an error prior to the hit. But Inman retires Scoma to end the inning. Marco Grifantini replaces Suiter in the top of the eighth.
UPDATE AT 3:47 p.m. The Aggies summon closer Justin Fitzgerald to pitch with one on and out out in the eighth. Fitzgerald allows a single to Cord Phelps to put runners at first and third, but Joey August grounds into an inning-ending double play.
UPDATE at 4:04 p.m. The Aggies have the lead! Matt Dempsey's sacrifice fly to left scores Evan Hudson to make it 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth. UCD uses a hit-and-run single from Grant Hirnese to set up Dempsey's RBI.
UPDATE at 4:11 The lead is gone! Castro reaches on Hudson's fielding error and Brent Milleville unloads on a 1-and-0 fastball from Fitzgerald over the left-field fence. The Stanford bench is going nuts! Molina follows with a double and Trevor Fox replaces Fitzgerald, who entered the game with 15 saves. Fox strikes out Sean Ratliff but walks pinch-hitter Toby Gerhart, and Jeremy McChesney is the new UCD pitcher.
UPDATE at 4:28: Stanford continues to pile it on. The Cardinal up the lead to 7-4 with consecutive RBI singles from Zach Jones and Schlander against McChesney. Colin McCusker is UCD's seventh pitcher.
UPDATE at 4:31: Phelps' RBI single scored one more run, but Joey August hits into a double play to end the inning. Stanford leads 8-4 heading to the bottom of the ninth.
FINAL UPDATE at 4:44: Kelly and Jefferies each single with two outs, but Scoma grounds out to end the game. With the hit, Jefferies is the school's single-season hit leader with 96. Kelly was 8-for-13 in the regional and finishes the season at .397.
STANFORD 8, UC DAVIS 4.
The Cardinal will play Pepperdine at 5:45 p.m.
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