Friday, September 07, 2012

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 7, 2012) – Preparations for the 2013 ETSU baseball season got underway on Thursday as the Bucs opened fall practice at Thomas Stadium.

Over the next 45 days, the Bucs will hold 28 practices, along with having intrasquad scrimmages on the weekend.

“It was great to get on the field,” said head coach Tony Skole. “There was a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm, and to be able to get out on our own field has been very beneficial to the team. Our goal over the next several weeks is to have 28 practices over the next 45 days, while also holding some scrimmages on the weekend. We hope by the time the fall season ends, that we have a good plan in store as we head into the spring.”   

Overall, the Bucs return five of their top eight hitters from 2012, including Clinton Freeman (Jonesborough, Tenn.). Freeman led ETSU in batting average (.365), hits (81), doubles (14), and RBIs (50). Among Atlantic Sun leaders, Freeman tied for second in hits, ranked fourth in average and RBIs, sixth in slugging percentage (.550), and tied for 10th in home runs (7). Along with Freeman, outfielder Andrew Green (Powell, Tenn.) is the other returner to play in all 55 games a year ago.

Meanwhile, on the mound, right-hander Kerry Doane (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) ranked in the top-10 nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio and walks allowed per nine innings last year. Doane ranked fourth with an 8.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio, while his 0.96 walks allowed per nine innings ranked seventh. In addition to Doane, freshman righty Jimmy Nesselt (Plantation, Fla.) set the ETSU record for fewest hits allowed per nine innings as he issued 7.6 hits.

For more information on Buccaneer baseball, visit ETSUBucs.com.