Chad Green Completes Fall Baseball Practice

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- After opening the fall with its first full-squad practice on Sept. 4, the Louisville baseball team concluded six weeks of workouts with the seventh annual Pizza Bowl last Saturday at Jim Patterson Stadium.

Following the completion of fall ball, head coach Dan McDonnell, entering his seventh season leading the Louisville baseball program, provided UofLsports.com with a review of what the six weeks of competition and training revealed.

Comments from head coach Dan McDonnell on Louisville’s 2012 fall workouts

Overview: “It was a busy fall, with expansion construction at Jim Patterson Stadium going on in the background. We were blessed with great weather again and we were able to get a lot accomplished.”

Pitching: “The pitching at times was very impressive. Chad Green (Effingham High School graduate), Jeff Thompson, Jared Ruxer and Kyle Funkhouser were the most consistent and each of them was dominant at times. Nick Burdi, Dace Kime, Cody Ege and Jonah Philley had some impressive stints out of the bullpen.”

Hitting: “The offense had its share of success led by newcomer Coco Johnson in the outfield and returning catcher Shane Crane. Ty Young, Adam Engel, Zach Lucas and Cole Sturgeon also racked up their share of hits throughout the fall.”

Defense: “In a couple of the scrimmages, the defense really shined, but not consistently enough through the fall. Sutton Whiting flashed the glove in the Pizza Bowl making a move in the infield.”

Recap: “It's clear we should pitch and we should be able to score runs. However, for this team to accomplish what it wants in the month of June, we will have to make a commitment to become a great team defensively.”

About Louisville Baseball

Louisville, which won its third BIG EAST regular season title in the last four seasons in 2012, is led by the return of seven of its school record 10 All-BIG EAST performers from last season, including second team outfielders Adam Engel and Cole Sturgeon. Most of the Cardinals’ pitching staff returns for 2013, led by BIG EAST Rookie of the Year and Freshman All-American right-hander Jared Ruxer. Overall, Louisville returns 21 letterwinners from the 2012 team, which finished 41-22 and advanced to an NCAA Regional for the fifth time in six seasons.

Head coach Dan McDonnell enters his seventh season leading the Louisville baseball program. In his six previous seasons, McDonnell is 258-122 with three BIG EAST regular-season titles, two BIG EAST Tournament titles, five NCAA Regional berths, two NCAA Super Regional appearances and one College World Series berth.

The Cardinals will resume full-squad preparations for the 2013 season on Jan. 25, while the opening weekend for Louisville in 2013 is set for Feb. 15-17. The Cardinals’ complete 2013 schedule is expected to be released later this fall.

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