Videos from the Final Individual Big Cat Event - The WOD

Sophomore Tim Stanton with a Strong Finish to the Workout
Senior Evan Jones goes up against Freshman Andrew Webb
Freshman Jon Hall Finishes up his Last Set of Cleans
Marquee Matchup Between High School Teammates Will Donnan and Michael Bentz
Sophomore Ben Klimesh Prepares Himself for the WOD
Klimesh and Junior Will Keiser Showing How to Compete
Keiser Completes the Workout for 3rd Place in the Event
Senior Eric Binder and Sophomore Nick Pappas Dominating the Workout
Sophomore Dom Robusto's Championship Clinching Heat and Junior Kevin Jackson's Great Effort

Big Cat Team Events Announced

This year's Big Cat team events are:
- Plate Carry Relay
- Bag Pull Relay
- Swim Relay
- Tug-of-War
- Tire Flips
- Obstacle Course

Big Cat Individual Final Standings

The final day of the Big Cat Individual Challenge was one that gave players a chance to decide their own fate in the final standings. Players were grouped based on their position on the leaderboard. The top 10 competitors going into the event performed the workout in pairs with an opportunity to leapfrog their opponent in the final rankings.

Going into the event, sophomore Dom Robusto was holding on to first place by 5 points over both sophomore Nick Pappas and junior Kevin Jackson. However, on the off day before the final event, Robusto tweaked his hamstring while running a sprint in practice so he was questionable going into the event.

The drama ensued as last year's individual champion Will Keiser posted the best time in the event giving him a legitimate chance to repeat if the top 3 were to slip up in the WOD. Pappas then ended the chance of the first repeat champion in recorded Big Cat history* by overtaking Keiser's top time by several seconds, putting him in a great position to be the new Big Cat champion.

All this time, Robusto was still a question mark and finally was allowed to compete in the event, but only under the close watch of coaches to be sure that his form was not impaired by his hamstring injury. If Vera were to see any break in form, Robusto would be shut down for the event and take a DNF, eliminating his chances to claim the crown.

So in the final heat of the WOD, Robusto and Jackson went head to head to decide this year's champion with Pappas watching closely to see if his time would hold up and give him the win. The two athlete's put on an incredible display of strength and athleticism, Robusto actually performed almost every burpee on one leg to avoid re-injuring his hamstring. The heat was neck and neck nearly the entire workout, but it was Robusto who not only won the matchup, but also finished with the top time overcoming his handicap of competing mostly on one leg.

The overall effort of every competitor throughout the competition was astounding. We now look forward to this week's beginning of the Team Big Cat Challenge. The top 6 finishers were awarded with the opportunity to be captain's for the team challenge, however, Robusto chose not to participate in the team challenge to give his hamstring an opportunity to heal and allowed senior Andrew Lawson the chance to be a captain since he was the next highest seeded finisher. Later tonight, the team events will be posted so captains will have the opportunity set up for the draft.

Here are the final standing from the Individual Big Cat Challenge:

Name	Total
Robusto	34
Pappas	40
Jackson	46
Keiser	50
Binder	53
Klimesh	59
Lawson	71
Paillet	75
Donnan	81
Murphy	84
Hunter	86
Bay	89
Bentz	90
Woodruff	92
Spriggs	94
Knowlton	96
Barron	97
Ryan	99
Haaf	99
Hall	104
Rockafellow	111
Panozzo	113
Lucero	124
Fink	131
Felix	136
Bogese	139
Grimshaw	143
Heckerl	145
Jones	145
Webb	148
Warren	151
Clements	162
Frasier	163
Calbick	168
Burden	187
Stanton	188
Foster	193
Francke	194
Robertson	206

Individual Big Cat Challenge Day 6 - The WOD

After a day off yesterday to give the players a chance to rest and recover after 5 events in 5 days, the Tigers concluded the individual portion of the Big Cat Challenge today with the WOD event.

The Tigers have been doing workouts this season that are constantly varied and very intense. The players are assigned a WOD (Workout of the Day) each day that consists of functional movements such as squats, deadlifts, cleans, pushups and pullups done over a certain period of time or for a prescribed set of repetitions. This style of training instills a competitive atmosphere in the weight room and is an extremely efficient and effective.

Players were unaware of the design of the WOD until moments before they entered the weight room to start the final event. Rumors were spread amongst players that the workout would be a max pullup/pushup contest or a max bodyweight back squat in 1 minute. The WOD was posted just after today's practice and it read:

3 Rounds of:
5 Cleans @ 135 lbs
7 Burpees
9 KB Swings (24 kg)

Although the workout was short, 2 to 4 minutes for most players, it was also grueling, leaving players lying on the ground gasping for air several minutes after completing the WOD. The times are currently being entered into the Big Cat spreadsheet to see where players ended up after the final event. Check back tomorrow to see the results of the WOD along with video and also the final standings of the individual competition.

Big Cat Day 5 - Hill Sprint

Friday's event tested not only the player's ability to sprint uphill, but also their ability to deal with surrounding elements. First, the event was complicated by the fact that they not only had to sprint approximately 150 meters uphill, but they were also weighed down by a 50+ pound sandbag. On top of that, they had to deal with the rain and a cool night in San Antonio.

Unlike the previous events where players stuck around to view the results of others in a particular event, after completing the Hill Sprint, players were happy to head back to the locker room to get out of the rain and the cold. Fortunately, many of them were provided a shuttle back down the hill after running the spring to regain leg strength and catch their breathe after a tough all out sprint.

Sophomore utility man Dom Robusto claimed the victory in the event with a stellar time of 26.49 seconds. With the win and the separation he created between his competitors, Robusto overtook the overall lead in the individual Big Cat competition. Former chart topper Kevin Jackson put together a solid time at 28.92 seconds up the hill, but enough players came between him and Robusto to see Jackson lose claim of the lead.

Here were the results of Friday's Hill Sprint Event:

Name	Time		Points
Robusto	26.49		1
Binder	27.29		2
Pappas	27.54		3
Lawson	27.93		4
Fink	28.11		5
Paillet	28.3		6
Barron	28.53		7
Keiser	28.71		8
Klimesh	28.88		9
Jackson	28.92		10
Ryan	28.92		10
Donnan	29.03		12
Bentz	29.12		13
Knowlton	29.31		14
Rockafellow	29.5		15
Lucero	29.98		16
Hall	30.41		17
Bay	30.62		18
Bogese	31.23		19
Hunter	31.23		19
Panozzo	31.37		21
Woodruff	31.42		22
Clements	31.44		23
Haaf	31.51		24
Murphy	31.94		25
Webb	32.02		26
Spriggs	32.36		27
Grimshaw	32.85		28
Foster	32.96		29
Stanton	34.33		30
Heckerl	34.43		31
Frasier	35.81		32
Calbick	35.95		33
Jones	36.42		34
Burden	37.85		35
Francke			36
Warren			36
Felix			36

Videos From Big Cat Day 4 - Towel Hang

Yesterday's champ Kyle Felix performing the towel hang
Josh Fink holding on in the last seconds of his hang
Kevin Francke makes his return to the Big Cat Challenge
Freshman John Hall and Will Donnan go head to head
Former individual leader Ben Klimesh in his attempt at the towel hang
Ryan Murphy's towel hang with commentary from Noah "mono" Solomon
Matt Grimshaw finishes up his attempt and Nick Pappas puts up a stellar towel hang
Kevin Jackson and Dom Robusto battle it out for first place

Big Cat Individual Standings After 4 Events

Things have really tightened up at the top of the leaderboard making tomorrow's event, the Hill Run, that much more pressure filled for those competing for the top spot. The event will test both speed and power as players will be sprinting up a 150 meter hill carrying a weighted object. Here are the overall standings going into tomorrow's Hill Run...

Name	Total
Jackson	28
Robusto	32
Pappas	35
Keiser	39
Klimesh	40
Binder	44
Paillet	47
Bay	47
Spriggs	51
Woodruff	52
Lawson	56
Murphy	59
Hunter	62
Bentz	62
Donnan	63
Haaf	66
Felix	70
Panozzo	71
Barron	73
Hall	73
Ryan	77
Knowlton	78
Warren	88
Heckerl	88
Webb	89
Grimshaw	90
Bogese	91
Jones	92
Fink	96
Rockafellow	96
Calbick	105
Lucero	108
Clements	109
Frasier	118
Francke	128
Stanton	130
Burden	132
Foster	134
Robertson	140

Big Cat Day 4 - Towel Hang

Today's event, the towel hang, brought about a new look to the top of the leaderboard. Sophomore Ben Klimesh and senior Eric Binder, who held the top 2 spots the first 3 days of the Big Cat Challenge, each had their struggles with the towel hang and were both bumped down a few notches on the leaderboard. Junior Kevin Jackson and Sophomore Dom Robusto were the last two competitors in the event and each held on longer than the previous top time and battled it out for first place. In the end, it was Jackson who outlasted Robusto by 10 seconds and claimed his first win in this year's individual Big Cat Challenge.

After a rough start to Big Cat, both Jackson and Robusto have rallied in the past couple events to find themselves atop the overall leaderboard with Jackson holding on to first place and Robusto right behind him in second. Also hopping to the top of the standings are sophomore Nick Pappas who is currently in 3rd place overall and junior Will Keiser who sits in 4th place.

Here are the results from today's event, the Towel Hang:

Name	Time		Points
Jackson	118.5		1
Robusto	108.64		2
Keiser	93.21		3
Bay	90.96		4
Bentz	88.98		5
Calbick	88.16		6
Spriggs	87.01		7
Pappas	86.83		8
Paillet	81.97		9
Grimshaw	78.01		10
Hall	76.59		11
Woodruff	76.51		12
Knowlton	76.37		13
Bogese	75.06		14
Haaf	74.08		15
Fink	72.4		16
Francke	66.45		17
Lawson	66.42		18
Heckerl	65.15		19
Murphy	62.28		20
Warren	61.94		21
Jones	61.78		22
Clements	61.64		23
Lucero	59.92		24
Hunter	59.64		25
Klimesh	58.8		26
Donnan	58.58		27
Felix	57.65		28
Binder	56.79		29
Rockafellow	56.48		30
Panozzo	56.21		31
Barron	55.58		32
Burden	51.57		33
Ryan	47.99		34
Webb	44.96		35
Frasier	35.12		36
Stanton	28.57		37

Videos from Big Cat Days 2 and 3

Strongman Event
Kyle Felix's Winning Effort
Seniors Andrew Lawson and Evan Jones go head-to-head
Michael Bentz and Chris Ryan post strong runs
Marquee Matchup between Eric Binder and Ryan Murphy
Freshman Kyle Bogese takes a spill in his heat
Senior Mike Hunter matches up against Freshman Kelly Woodruff
Roommates John Paillet and Mike Panozzo race for bragging rights

Wall Ball
Kyle Felix vs. John Paillet
Jackson vs. Warren
Klimesh vs. Pappas
Rockafellow vs. Woodruff
Binder vs. Clements
Hunter vs. Jones

Big Cat Interview Day 2

Roommates Kyle Felix and Dom Robusto finished 1st and 2nd in the Strongman event and were asked to comment on their performances and the Big Cat Challenge. Each has a different perspective on the challenge as a whole so check out the video to see what they had to say...

Video

Unofficial Big Cat Challenege Day 3 Results

Today's event was Wall Ball. In this competition, players were had to perform a deep squat with a 20 lb. medicine ball in hand and heave it over a 10 ft. marker on a wall as many times as they could in 1 minute. What turned out to be the deciding factor for many of the competitors was efficiency as opposed to speed, as players were not alloted points if they did not touch the ball beneath them or get the med ball throw over the designated line.

As it stands, Sophomore Weston Haaf, barefooted and fresh off a meal in Mabee dining hall, holds the lead in the Wall Ball event with 35 successful attempts. A few pitchers who threw in yesterday's Spring World Series game were unable to compete in today's event due to day after pitching bikram yoga. These competitors will be allowed to make up today's event at a later date...

Sophomore Dom Robusto and Sophomore Nick Pappas each put themselves in good position to make a late push in the running for the individual championship by placing high in today's Wall Ball event while Senior and current Big Cat leader Eric Binder slipped up a bit and allowed the competition to gain some ground.

Tomorrow's event, the towel hang will test each individual's grip strength and we could possibly see some fluctuations in the leader board.

Here are the results from today's Wall Ball event:

Name	Total		Points
Haaf	35		1
Lawson	33		2
Pappas	31		3
Robusto	30		4
Barron	30		4
Klimesh	30		4
Jackson	30		4
Spriggs	30		4
Binder	29		9
Donnan	29		9
Webb	29		9
Felix	28		12
Bay	28		12
Ryan	28		12
Murphy	28		12
Warren	28		12
Keiser	27		17
Jones	27		17
Hunter	26		19
Knowlton	26		19
Woodruff	26		19
Frasier	26		19
Heckerl	26		19
Rockafellow	25		24
Paillet	24		25
Lucero	24		25
Stanton	24		25
Bentz	22		28
Grimshaw	22		28
Hall	22		28
Burden	21		31
Clements	16		32
Fink
Panozzo
Foster
Bogese

SWS Moved Back

The Tigers were forced to move the Spring World Series back a day or two due to some light rain yesterday afternoon. The Tigers, however, still took advantage of the new field-turf practice facility for a fun but wet practice. The Tigers took the time to address bunt coverages, run-downs, and fundamental IF, OF, and C practices.

Coach Scannell works with INF on Trinity's new field-turf practice facility.

Big Cat Standings After 2 Days

After 2 events, Senior pitcher Eric Binder sits atop the leaderboard jumping Sophomore pitcher Ben Klimesh by finishing 6 spots ahead in yesterday's Strongman event to take the overall individual lead. Players returned to the Intramural field yesterday after Game 1 of the Spring World Series for Day 2 of the Big Cat Challenge. The Strongman event proved to be more than just an event based on brute strength, but also requiring speed, agility, and a little finesse.

Junior Kyle Felix and Sophomore Dom Robusto were heavily favored going into the event and lived up to the expectations finishing 1st and 2nd with Felix edging Robusto by .4 seconds. Both Felix and Robusto put themselves back in contention for the individual championship after less than stellar performances in the Agility Course event.

Today's event provides the top performers to create some separation from the rest of the pack, but don't be surprised if a couple players in the middle of the pack step up today and get themselves in the running.

Here are the standings after 2 events:

Name	Total
Binder	5
Klimesh	10
Paillet	11
Keiser	18
Hunter	18
Woodruff	20
Jackson	23
Pappas	24
Donnan	26
Murphy	26
Bentz	26
Robusto	27
Felix	29
Ryan	30
Bay	30
Hall	31
Lawson	36
Panozzo	36
Barron	37
Spriggs	40
Rockafellow	41
Webb	44
Knowlton	45
Bogese	47
Heckerl	49
Grimshaw	49
Haaf	50
Clements	51
Jones	52
Warren	54
Fink	55
Lucero	57
Foster	60
Frasier	62
Calbick	63
Burden	65
Robertson	66
Stanton	66
Francke	75

Big Cat Interview with Ben Klimesh and Eric Binder

After Day 1, Sophomore Ben Klimesh and Senior Eric Binder sit atop the leaderboard. Find out what they thought about the event and how they think the Big Cat Challenge will finish up.

video

Big Cat Day 2 - Strongman Results

Big Cat Day 2 - Strongman Results

Here are the result from last night's Strongman event.

Name	Time		Points
Felix	26.7		1
Robusto	27.1		2
Binder	27.52		3
Bentz	28.5		4
Barron	28.57		5
Bay	28.64		6
Hunter	28.7		7
Paillet	28.85		8
Klimesh	29.09		9
Keiser	29.2		10
Knowlton	29.46		11
Ryan	29.47		12
Murphy	29.5		13
Pappas	29.6		14
Jones	29.75		15
Woodruff	29.82		16
Fink	30.2		17
Jackson	30.24		18
Spriggs	30.3		19
Donnan	30.3		20
Rockafellow	30.31		21
Panozzo	30.6		22
Grimshaw	30.94		23
Hall	31.3		24
Webb	31.96		25
Frasier	32		26
Lawson	32		27
Lucero	32.27		28
Foster	32.69		29
Burden	32.9		30
Warren	33.46		31
Heckerl	33.7		32
Stanton	34.16		33
Haaf	35.5		34
Bogese	35.69		35

Spring World Series Game 1 Recap

Team Maroon takes a 1-0 series lead with a 5-4 win over Team White in yesterdays opening game of the Spring World Series. Clint Robertson got the start for Team Maroon, squaring off against Josh Fink for Team White. Robertson ran into trouble early, giving up runs in the first two innings, but settled down after that and pitched 5 innings brilliantly. Josh Fink matched him pitch for pitch, going 4 1/3 innings while only allowing 3 runs. Ryan Lucero pitched out of a bases loaded jam in relief while only allowing one run in two innings of work. Kyle Bogese closed the door for Team Maroon, throwing 2 innings to get the save while allowing no runs on 0 hits. Offensively, Nick Pappas had 3 hits for Team Maroon and Kyle Felix added 2 more, including a double in the win. Paul Knowlton, filling in for Kevin Francke at 3B, added a huge 2 RBI single up the middle for Team Maroon.

A bright spot for the Tigers was behind the plate. Catchers Kyle Felix and Kelly Woodruff combined to throw of 4 of 6 potential base stealers while allowing zero passed balls and calling the games for Fink and Robertson.

Game 2 is scheduled for today at 4 pm at E.M Stevens Field, with Ben Klimesh and Eric Binder taking the mound in an All-Chicago match-up of hard-throwing righties.

Spring World Series Opening Day

The Tigers open the Spring World Series today with the first pitch being at 4pm. The starting pitchers for today's opening game are Clint Robertson vs Josh Fink. Clint is a 5th-year senior from Dallas, TX who is featured in the Player Spotlight section of the blog. Josh Fink is a redshirt from Coronado, CA. Josh and Clint are both expected to be impact pitchers this year for the Tigers, and with the hitters using wood bats, we expect a low-scoring game today at E.M. Stevens Field. Check back for pictures and results from the game!

Tiger Players Post Exceptional Team GPA

The Tiger players did a great job in the classroom this past semester, posting a 3.1 team GPA. The Tigers take a wide range of courses, from accounting to engineering to history to biology. The athletic department as a whole usually out-performs the average student GPA, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication that our student-athletes exhibit. Jeff Claydon, former Tiger second basemen, finished out the Spring of 2009 as an ESPN Academic All-American Selection, and is just one example of a stellar Trinity representative on and off the field. Jeff is currently enrolled in the Masters Program at Texas A&M for Accounting.

Big Cat Challenge Kick-Off: Day 1 Wrap Up

Yesterday marked not only the first day of spring practice for the Tigers, but also the beginning of the 4th Annual Big Cat Challenge. The Big Cat Challenge is a competition that entails both team and individual events that allow the players to compete in different physical capacities. The events range anywhere from a swim relay to a strongman contest and everything in between.

The Big Cat is typically held in the Fall, but this season the decision was made to move it to the Spring so that players could show off all the hard work they put in throughout the offseason and winter holidays. This year's competition involves 6 individual events and 6 team events. Players will first complete the individual portion of the contest and will continue next week with the team events.

Today's event, the Agility Course, kicked off the Big Cat Challenge with lots of excitement and a few surprises. The course proved to be much tougher than it appeared as several players struggled with the final set of agility cones and hurdles. Past individual champions Will Kaiser (8th Place) and Mike Hunter (11th Place) each fared well and put themselves in the hunt for a chance to hold the crown once again. However, at the end of the day, the dynamic duo of Ben Klimesh and Eric Binder sit atop the leaderboard, but tomorrow things could change with an event that provides both a strength and agility challenge. Those sitting at the bottom of the rankings have a chance to pick up some serious ground if they are able to perform well in tomorrow's event, at this point, it's still anyone's title...

Video 1 - Senior Andrew Lawson Shows his Experience and Dominates the Final Set of Hurdles

Video 2 - Junior John Paillet Finished up the Agility Course and Celebrates in Dance

Video 3 - Freshman Tyler Rockafellow Stuggles with the Hurdles at the End of a His Heat

Video 4 - Ben Klimesh Dominates the Course for the Win

Results After Day 1...

Name	Time		Points
Klimesh	50.76		1
Binder	51.28		2
Paillet	52.23		3
Woodruff	53.99		4
Jackson	54.01		5
Donnan	54.17		6
Hall	54.73		7
Kaiser	54.87		8
Lawson	55.21		9
Pappas	55.35		10
Hunter	55.61		11
Bogese	56.44		12
Murphy	56.82		13
Panozzo	56.89		14
Clements	57.06		15
Haaf	57.12		16
Heckerl	57.16		17
Ryan	57.19		18
Webb	57.26		19
Rockafellow	57.32		20
Spriggs	57.87		21
Bentz	58.48		22
Warren	58.56		23
Bay	58.95		24
Robusto	58.95		25
Grimshaw	59.18		26
Calbick	60		27
Felix	60.33		28
Lucero	60.39		29
Robertson	61.28		30
Foster	61.61		31
Barron	61.76		32
Stanton	62.13		33
Knowlton	62.48		34
Burden	62.84		35
Frasier	63.65		36
Jones	63.75		37
Fink	66.69		38
Francke	98		39

Tigers Set To Begin Practice Today

The Tigers open up the start of the season today with a team meetings and equipment pick-up, followed by practice this afternoon. Today's schedule of events:

11:30 am: Team Meeting
12:00 pm: Players report for gear and equipment pick-up
12:30 pm: Lunch
1:15: Position player early hitting
1:45: Practice

Check back for updates on the previous days practice as well as pictures, player spotlights, and other news surrounding the Tiger program.

Freshman Poll: Why Trinity?

The fall of 2009 was a good one for the Tiger freshmen as they got their first taste of college baseball while settling in academically and being away from home for the first time. Some players stayed close to home (Knox Schroller, Alamo Heights, San Antonio), while others came from as far away as California (Kevin Clements, Pacific Grove HS; Kevin Francke, Mater Dei HS; Chris Ryan, Menlo HS) and Virginia (Kyle Bogese, Richmond). Other states are represented as well, notably Georgia (Kelly Woodruff, Atlanta), Illinois (Jon Hall, Chicago) and Colorado (Ryan Lucero, Cherry Creek; Andrew Webb, Mullen). As with every incoming class, these players were faced with many options of where to spend the next 4 years of their baseball lives. So why Trinity? What made students from all over the country choose to come to a liberal arts school in the heart of Texas? We had the players anonymously rank what swayed their decision on a 1,2, and 3 point basis, choosing from the following options:

Coaching Staff, Program History, Traditions, Game-Day Atmosphere, Current Players, Academics, and Strength and Conditioning Program

The players ranked their top 3 criteria, and the top 3 reasons that this years freshman class chose Trinity was:

Coaching Staff, Program History, and Academics

Coaching Staff- Led by Tim Scannell, the Tiger coaches are commited to winning games as well as creating players and, more importantly, people that this program can be proud of. With a .690 winning percentage, as well as 9 professional players under Coach Scannell's leadership, the Tiger program remains in good hands. The staff is commited to Trinity being at the top of the college baseball landscape, as well as placing players in the best summer leagues in the country.

Program History- Tiger Baseball has a rich history of winng baseball here in Texas. Just recently, Rick and Micky Mahler were both elected into the TU Hall of Fame Class of 2009. Mickey is Trinity's All-Time Leader in Wins with 28 and enjoyed a 9-year Major League Career, while Rick had a 13-year Major League career from 1976-1991. The Mahler brothers were teammates at Trinity and again with the Atlanta Braves in 1979. That year, the Mahler brothers pitched in the same game against the Houston Astros. Rick passed away in 2005, and the TU Baseball Family misses him dearly.

PS. (We're waiting for our Evan Bronson vs. Chuck Huggins matchup in upcoming World Series games when the Washington Nationals play the Toronto Blue Jays.)

Academics- It's no secret that Trinity is a world-class education. It is exciting to see our player's embrace academics as they mold themselves into young men we can be proud of as they continue on and represent the school and this program positively in the community.

We are expecting big things from this group, both in the classroom and on the field!

Thank you to the Tiger Class of 2013 for your answers and insight into what helped shape your decision to attend TU.

Written by Grant Chambers

Fink, Felix Sign Summer League Contracts

Josh Fink and Kyle Felix have signed on to play ball this summer in the prestigious New England Collegiate Baseball League with the Lowell All-Americans. Trinity Baseball has had a rich history with the league, sending players Ryan Cavan, Drew Bignall, Chris Ashmos, and Adam Frey to Lowell, while Jason Armstrong, Evan Jones, and Eric Binder, among others, played for competing organizations. This summer will be Kyle's second straight with the All-Americans. Last summer, Kyle hit .279 with 13 doubles and a home run in 136 At-bats. He was also selected to the NECBL All-Star Game and participated in the Home Run Derby. Josh Fink, a redshirt freshman out of Coronado, CA, will be spending his first summer in Lowell. Josh threw well this fall, including being the winning pitcher in Fall World Series Game 2. Congratulations to both players!

Tiger Baseball Set to Kick-Off 2010 Campaign

The Trinity Tigers are returning to campus this weekend and ready to begin the 2010 season. The team will participate in the Spring Edition of the Maroon and White World Series to open up the year. The Spring World Series is a continuation of the Fall World Series won by Team White under Tiger Hitting Coach J.C. Bunch and former Tiger SS Stosh Hoover. The series will be Best-of-3 and will feature the same rosters as the FWS. Coach Zack Fregosi looks to get some revenge after going 1-6 in the FWS. Starting pitchers for the 3-game series are yet to be determined, but will be posted once named.

December 3, 2009:

Player Spotlight on: Clint Robertson

As an upperclassman, how do you view the team and program differently than you did as a freshman and sophomore? What things do you know now that you wish you would have known before? Do you feel better prepared for the upcoming season with that blend of experience and age?

When I came into the program, my focus was more on making the team (didn't happen for me the first time) and then on getting innings. Now in my fifth year, my goals are a lot less personal and more team oriented. While I still have self-expectations, my main focus right now is on the World Series. I wish I would have known before I got here that the best way to realize that goal is a complete team focus and concept. While I don't always have the right words of wisdom to share, the only way teammates learn is from talking to each other. When I came in to the program, I had no idea how anything worked on the college level. Over my time here, I have picked up a lot of things, so I try and offer that to everybody else. Particularly having been everything from cut, to mop-up reliever, to closer, to starter, I try and let people in those roles know the things I have learned. Another big factor is knowledge I gained last year during my injury. It is amazing the things you see and focus in on when you're hurt and have nothing to do but focus on the small things. That's what the game of baseball is all about. Small moments that tilt in the favor of one team or the other. I hope to be able to recognize those moments this year with the experience I've gained and take advantage of them.

How impressed are you with the freshman class, both pitching and positionally?

This is easily the best freshman class I've ever seen at Trinity, which is saying a lot since our team was mostly younger when we went to the Regional the year before last. The pitching additions are talented as always but this group seems more polished than any I can remember. The freshman hitters really have a chance to be special. There is a lot of raw offensive talent on display and some of the fielders can make plays that very few D3 players are capable of making. There will be some early struggles probably, but I expect big things from both the freshman pitchers and hitters this year.

How did you view the fall from a productivity standpoint? What are this team's strengths and weaknesses as we head into the season?

My former teammate Nick Vera has taken over the weightlifting program and things are really taking off. In the weight room, everyone is more productive than they have been in the past. I think the strength and physical fitness we are creating right now is going to be a huge asset. Though the strength gains will be obvious immediately in games, I think they are really going to pay dividends come tournament time when everyone else is wearing down. Our defense is also going to play a big role this year. As a pitcher, the defense behind me is more important at times than offensive output. This year we have a team full of guys that can hit and play above average defense. Our biggest weakness on paper is our pitching staff. The numbers don't lie and we struggled last year giving up too many runs and walks. With the raw talent we have finally translating into game condition success, though, I don't expect that will be the case this year.

Favorite restaurant in San Antonio:

Cafe Jalisco Taqueria or Cafe Salsita. Both make excellent tacos at an insanely affordable price.

Favorite memory of your time at Trinity so far:

At Regionals, one of Cal St. East Bay's players hit a line drive right back at the mound to end the game. The ball must have been hit 100 mph and probably would have killed me if I hadn't gotten my mitt in the way. The force of the ball literally knocked me over. I don't remember what happened next but I've been told I ran around like an idiot afterwards.

Noteworthy skills or hobbies:

I used to be really good at Basketball in high school, but my vertical is a little limited right now after ACL surgery.

Game-day routine or superstition?

I try and wear the same white "Drillers Baseball" shirt under my jersey every game that I might pitch. I've had it since I was 14, and it seems to bring me good luck.

Whose Trinity replica jersey would you purchase if you were a fan (current or former players?)

I didn't play with him, and don't really even know who he is but I'm gonna say Clark Wheeler. He's a guy I've been compared to before and he served as a sort of measuring stick for what I could do in my time here at Trinity after a certain point in my career.

Which current Tiger would win a game of Jeopardy?

I would probably go with Noah Solomon as he's a smart guy with a pretty wide range of interests.

November 24, 2009:

Player Spotlight on: Evan Jones

As a one of a few seniors on this team, I know that I need to be a leader on the field this year. This is my last college season and I need to play every game like its my last game to help the team win. My first three seasons have been up and down success wise, so I've seen what it takes be win at this level. I hope to help the younger players know what it is like to win and go deep into the playoffs. One thing that I know now that I wish I had known before is that the time at college goes fast. This being my fourth and final season, I want to go out with the best possible season possible. I know that this team has the talent to do so. I hope that the blend of experience and age on this team will be very beneficial by the end of the season. We have many players on this team that know what it takes to win and I feel confident that we will do anything it takes to do so.

I am really looking forward to seeing how the freshman class will perform during the season. This freshman pitching class is by far the deepest I've seen in my four years here. From what I saw at the plate this fall, there is at least a handful freshman pitchers that I feel are ready to compete at this level. The freshman position players are equally ready to step up and perform, especially in the infield. Even after losing what we did in the middle of the infield last season, I feel we have the talent that can step up and have great seasons.

I felt that this fall was the most productive that we have had in the four years that I've been there. The coaches did a great job preparing us for the season during the four weeks of fall practice. The fall world series was the most competitive that we've had in the four years that I've been here. I feel that was what was missing in last years team, that killer instinct and the will to win no matter what. I can see already that this team has it. Everyone on the team feels that we have the talent to compete for a national championship this year, we all just need to step it up on the field.

Favorite Restaurant: Cafe Salsita because they have the best tacos and they have the most friendly people.

Favorite memory: My best memory at Trinity was playing Notre Dame last season and knowing that we can be competitive with high level D1 competition.

Hobbies: I enjoy playing golf in the offseason. In the summer when I play a lot, I regularly shoot in the 70s.

Game-day routine or superstition: Last season I wore that same undershirt for every game.

Whose Trinity replica jersey would you purchase if you were a fan (current or former players)?: Nick Vera's because I admire how he prepared for every game.

Which current Tiger would win a game of Jeopardy? Probably Mike Hunter he knows a lot of weird stuff.

November 17, 2009:

Player Spotlight on: Noah Solomon

I view the team and the program in about the same way I did as a freshman, which I would say is a good thing. I chose to play at Trinity because I thought it was a well-run program, with a great coaching staff and tons of support from boosters. These past two years have only reinforced these beliefs. However, my mindset as a pitcher has definitely changed. As a freshman the mental side of pitching COMPLETELY owned me and as a result I had a pretty poor season. Last year I really focused on being mentally stronger, and it reflected in my performance. With two years of experience now under my belt I definitely feel more confident and prepared heading into my junior year.

This year's freshman class has been extremely impressive in terms of both talent and the energy and passion they've brought to the program. As a group, they've been getting after it since the first day of the semester, and that type of enthusiasm really is contagious.

The fall season was great in terms of productivity. The competitive workouts and nutrition stuff that strength and conditioning coach Nick Vera implemented at the beginning of the semester were huge; everybody dove right in and we're still going strong. I love seeing the competition in the weight room every day, and I know my lifting partners and I have seen positive gains from this program. As a pitcher, the month long fall season and Fall World Series were also very important because it allowed guys to get on the mound and face live hitters, which is a great way to identify specific weaknesses to improve on before the spring season starts.

Heading into the season, I would identify this team's strengths as pitching, defense, and a great mix of veteran and younger players. This year's staff has a ridiculous amount of quality arms, and if the Fall World Series is any indication, our defense should be much improved from last year. I also like the balance of older and younger players; this mix of calming veteran experience and the renewing energy being brought by the new guys should form an excellent dynamic for the season. And while we lost a couple of key offensive producers from last year, I am confident that there will be people to step up and replace that production.

Favorite Restaurant: Chacho's and Challuchi's, a 24 hour Mexican restaurant, because you'll never find a bigger burrito for less money.

Favorite memory: so far from Trinity would have to be my first collegiate start, last year vs. Cardinal Stritch.

Game day routine: On game days, I make sure to eat a turkey sandwich about 3 hours before the game, with extra mustard for electrolytes. I also always wear my pants as "tweeners" aka Greg Maddux style and I never step on the foul line when I come on and off the field.

Whose Trinity replica jersey would you purchase if you were a fan (current or former players?): I would go with a throwback Mickey Mahler jersey, because he is the school's career wins leader and he went on to pitch for the Texas Rangers

November 12, 2009:

Player Spotlight on: John "JP" Paillet III

Now that I am a junior, I feel like I understand what it takes to be prepared for the season. Knowing how to make adjustments during the off season is one of the biggest lessons I have learned. Coming onto the team as a freshman and trying to have an impact on the team is always tough mentally and can be overwhelming at times. Looking back on the regionals and conference tournament as an underclassmen, you're thrown into this big game with little or no expectations and only a high school experience. Originally I was in awe of nice stadiums and good teams but with a couple years of experience I'm ready to just go and play. With an experienced junior class and a freshman class comprised of raw talent, I don't think this team can be any more prepared. This team will have more than its fair shot at making some noise in the playoffs. The goal is a national championship plain and simple.

The freshman class is exceptional and makes most of the players wonder if they were that good coming in as a freshman. The new energy that they bring day in and day out is positive and gives a new feeling to the team. I'm excited to see how we interact and bond during this season. In two years at Trinity I haven't seen any freshman pitchers dive as quickly into the thick of baseball as this freshman class has.

The fall was a great opportunity to build the team and really see where guys are going to play this year. With four practices back to back the younger guys also get to experience what it's like on an away trip where you have to play baseball and you're already tired.

Going into the beginning of spring, I think the team's greatest asset is its chemistry between returning and new players. Everyone wants to win and we trust each other to get the job done. The teams largest weakness is that we like to think so much that sometimes we forget that baseball is a game that's meant to be played and meant to be fun. If its not fun then why play?

Favorite Restaurant: California Pizza Kitchen, makes me feel like I'm home.

Favorite memory: Missing a plane to Louisville, Kentucky followed by the dog pile in a 3 run comeback win against Millsaps.

Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans

Game-day Routine: Batting Practice w/ wood.

Superstition: I don't wrap my batting gloves. My favorite Dodger is Orlando Hudson, he does it. If its good enough for him its good enough for me.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009:

The Fall World Series capped off a successful fall for the 2010 Tiger squad. The series had a good combo of pitching and offense, with top arms proving why they're top arms and some youngsters showing good things at the plate and in the field. A very talented freshman infield of Jonathan Hall (Chicago, ILL), Kevin Francke (Yorba Linda, CA), Kevin Clements (Pacific Grove, CA) and Will Donnan (Houston, TX) all showed great things both defensively and at the plate. Upperclassmen John Paillet, Kyle Felix, Evan Jones, Kevin Jackson, Kevin Calbick, and Dom Robusto all had productive fall seasons and are ready to lead the young group in the right direction. This team has a great balance of talented youngsters and players with big-game experience. Moving into the off-season, players focus on upcoming finals and strength and conditioning to get strong and healthy for the fast-approaching spring season.

-Zach Fregosi

Tuesday, November 3, 2009:

As we enter a new year, we look forward to continuing the proud tradition of Trinity Baseball, on and off the field. This season provides an opportunity for us to get back to playing baseball the way our fans, supporters, and players have come to expect baseball to be played here. While we lost a great senior class to graduation, I am very excited with the group we have moving forward and fully trust that they will represent the program well. It is an exciting time to be a Tiger, and I trust that you feel the same way. Thank you for your continued support of our student-athletes.

-Tim Scannell