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Virginia Commonwealth University is nearly ready for its 2010 Baseball season. The Rams kick things off on Friday, Feb. 19, when they head to Charleston Southern for a three game set in Charleston, S.C. This week, we’re previewing the 2010 Rams. Today’s entry will focus on the VCU infield. INFIELDERS (2009 Statistics in parenthesis) It’s an athletic group and includes a number of high school shortstops, a staple of Keyes philosophy. “We try to go out and get shortstops because the best players are usually shortstops and then you move them,” Keyes said. “They’re generally the best athletes and the best multi-tool guys.” At third base, junior Joe Van Meter (.343 BA, 36 RBI) (pictured, left), a former high school shortstop himself, returns. Van Meter was the Rams’ top hitter a year ago and plays exceptional defense. A former Arizona State recruit, Van Meter is poised for a big season. Van Meter and his live arm will see some time on the pitching mound, and when he does, he’ll likely be backed up by capable freshman Nick Kime, a 5-11, 180-pound infielder from Stafford, Va. Senior Doug Otto (.343 BA, 25 RBI, 38 R) will start at shortstop for the second straight season. In 2009, after two years at Johnson County Community College, Otto started 45 of 46 games for the Rams and ranked second in hitting. Greg Fujii, a junior college transfer, could spell Otto at short. Fugii has good speed and hit .268 over the summer while playing for the Battle Creek Bombers of the Northwoods Lead in Michigan.
At first base, junior Michael Cheatham (.273 BA, 13 RBI) and sophomore Brett Mikionis (.172 BA, 29 AB) will battle for the starting nod. However, the two players could see time side-by-side, with one serving as the designated hitter. Both Cheatham and Mikonis possess a powerful right-handed stroke and will need to be successful for the Black and Gold in 2010. “If both of those guys are in the lineup it means we’re having a good year,” Keyes said. “Those are the two guys that have to drive in a lot of runs for us.” Senior Nick Furry (.279 BA, 1 HR, 7 RBI) (pictured, right) is in line to handle most of the catching assignments. Furry is an experienced receiver and a veteran of 77 games, including 47 starts. Sophomore Taylor Perkins (.250 BA, 10 RBI) is a talented right-handed hitter, and will back up Furry behind the plate. “That’s probably where we need to see the most improvement as the season goes along and that’s a work in progress,” Keyes said of his catchers. “The catchers need to lead the pitching staff. We’re not there yet. We need one of these three guys to step up and be talented enough to do it on the field, but also have the intangibles of understanding the hitters and reading the hitters and being able to do those things.” TOMORROW: OUTFIELD. |
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Coming off a sensational offseason, Richard Gonzalez (.301 BA, 22 RBI) is entrenched as the starter at second base. Gonzalez hit .331 for the New Market Rebels of the Valley Wooden Bat League this summer and started 42 games for the Rams a year ago. He’s about as sure-handed as they come and committed just five errors last year for VCU. All rights reserved.
