2009 SEASON SUPERLATIVES During the past two seasons, Liberty has won 68 games, the most during the first two years under any head coach in program history. In addition, Head Coach Jim Toman’s .591 winning percentage during the span is the highest among the six head coaches to ever guide the Flames. The Flames posted 17 Big South Conference victories, the most wins by a Liberty team since joining the conference in 1992. Third baseman Tyler Bream was named a Freshman AllAmerican by the Collegiate Baseball News, becoming the fifth player in program history to receive the honor. Liberty set a new program record for fielding percentage with a .974 percentage. In addition, the Flames committed the fewest errors in the 36-year history of the program, making just 53 during the year. Liberty batters were hit by a pitch 95 times, setting a new school record. The mark eclipses the record set in 2008. The Flames finished the year ranked 13th in the country in the category. Center fielder Curran Redal set a new Big South record by hitting safely in 32 consecutive games.

TABLE OF CONTENTS LIBERTY BASEBALL

THE OPPONENTS

CREDITS

Flames in the Majors ..........................................3 Flames and Professional Baseball .......................4 Alumni Weekend.................................................7 All-Time Honor Roll ............................................8 Worthington Stadium .......................................10 Crowder/Muckel Fieldhouse ..............................12 2010 Outlook ...................................................13 Depth Chart......................................................14 Media Information............................................15 Travel Information/Broadcast Schedule .............15 Strength and Conditioning................................17 Academic Services ............................................18

2010 Opponents ...............................................50 Big South Conference .......................................54

Editor: Ryan Bomberger Assistant Editors: Todd Wetmore, Eric Brown, Paul Carmany and Jennifer Shelton Contributors: Owen Benson, Dwayne Groff, Bill Hardin and Jim Toman Cover Photography: Les Schofer Contributing Photographers: Ryan Bomberger, Jordan Crossingham, Bob DuVaul, Don Garlock, Jamie Hall, Tim Lyons, Jeff Raymond, Les Schofer, Brian Sennett, Corkey Trewin, Barry Whitten, WG Sports Photos, Rochester Red Wings and LU Archives Cover Design: Brian Wallace, Liberty Office for University Advancement Layout/Typesetting: Heather Lehosit, Morgantown Printing & Binding Printing: Morgantown Printing & Binding

2009 Year in Review .........................................56 2009 Flames Statistics ......................................58 2009 Results.....................................................59 2009 Big South Review.....................................60 2009 Big South Leaders ....................................62

RECORDS & HISTORY

Head Coach Jim Toman .....................................20 Assistant Coach Garrett Quinn..........................23 Assistant Coach Jason Murray ..........................25 Assistant Coach Adam Ward .............................26 Director of Baseball Operations Billy Daniels.....26 Sports Medicine Staff........................................27 Baseball Contact Ryan Bomberger ....................28 Support Staff ....................................................28

Chronology.......................................................64 Individual Records ............................................66 Team Records ...................................................68 Season Top 10 ..................................................69 Top Career Performances ..................................70 Team Batting and Pitching ................................72 Year-by-Year Leaders ........................................73 Year-by-Year Results .........................................76 Flames in the Postseason..................................85 Coaching Year-by-Year Summary .......................86 All-Time Roster .................................................87

THE FLAMES

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

THE STAFF

Numerical Roster ..............................................30 Pronunciation Guide .........................................31 Alphabetical Roster ..........................................31 Geographical Roster .........................................31 Flames by Class ................................................31 Player Profiles...................................................32 Photo Roster...................................................104

2010 QUICK FACTS

2009 YEAR IN REVIEW

The University...................................................92 LibertyFlames.com ............................................95 Remembering Dr. Falwell ..................................96 University Administration..................................97 Director of Athletics/Senior Staff .......................98 Athletics Administration ...................................99 Athletics Excellence ........................................100 Liberty Athletics Hall of Fame..........................102

GENERAL INFORMATION Name of School ..................... Liberty University City/Zip .............................Lynchburg, Va. 24502 Founded .................................................... 1971 Enrollment ............................................ 11, 311 Nickname .............................................. Flames Mascot .......................................................Eagle School Colors .................... Red, White and Blue Affiliation ................................. NCAA Division I Conference ......................................... Big South Founder .......................................... Jerry Falwell Chancellor ................................. Jerry Falwell, Jr. Director of Athletics .......................... Jeff Barber Athletics Department Phone ..... (434) 582-2100

TEAM INFORMATION Overall Record ......................................... 33-21 Conference Record .............................. 17-9/3rd Home Record ............................................. 19-5 Away Record ........................................... 11-13 Neutral ........................................................ 3-3 Starters Returning/Lost (position players) ..... 7/2 Pitchers Returning/Lost ................................. 6/4 Lettermen Returning/Lost ............................14/7 Newcomers ................................................... 13

COACHING STAFF Head Coach ...... Jim Toman (N.C. State, ’85, ’95) Record at School ................ 68-47-1 (Two Years) Career Record .......................................... Same Baseball Office .......................... (434) 582-2103 Assistant Coaches .... Garrett Quinn (Maine, ‘98) Jason Murray (Ball State, ’98) Adam Ward (Clemson, ’08) Director of Baseball Operations ......................... ....................................Billy Daniels (Liberty, ‘06) Athletic Trainer ........................ Scott Lawrenson Strength & Conditioning Coach ...... Colin Dugan

BASEBALL STADIUM Home Field ....................... Worthington Stadium Capacity .................................................. 1,000 Field Dimensions .... 325 (LF), 375 (LC), 390 (CF) 375 (RC), 325 (RF)

HISTORY First Year ................................................... 1974 All-Time .................................. 980-773-7 (.559)

Assoc. Athletics Comm. Dir./Baseball Contact Ryan Bomberger Office Phone ..............................(434) 582-2605 Email ........................... [email protected] Assistant Athletics Comm. Dir. Paul Carmany Office Phone ...............................(434) 582-2604 Email [email protected] Assistant Athletics Comm. Dir. Eric Brown Office Phone ...............................(434) 582-2294 Email [email protected] Athletics Comm. Graduate Assistant Jennifer Shelton Office Phone ...............................(434) 592-4849 [email protected] Athletics Communications Fax .. (434) 582-2076

ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS A.D. for Athletics Communications Todd Wetmore Athletics Communications Office Phone (434) 582-2292 Email [email protected]

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Athletics Comm. Mailing Address 1971 Unversity Blvd. Lynchburg, VA 24502 Website..................................LibertyFlames.com

FLAMES IN THE MAJORS

SID BREAM

DOUG BRADY

Years at Liberty: 1979-81 12 Years in the Majors Major League Debut: Sept. 1, 1983

Years at Liberty: 1989-91 One Year in the Majors Major League Debut: Sept. 5, 1995

1983-85 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Los Angeles Dodgers 1985-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh Pirates 1991-93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Atlanta Braves 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Houston Astros

1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chicago White Sox

LEE GUETTERMAN

RANDY TOMLIN

Years at Liberty: 1978-81 11 Years in the Majors Major League Debut: Sept. 12, 1984 1984, 85-87 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seattle Mariners 1988-92 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .New York Yankees 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .New York Mets 1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. Louis Cardinals 1995-96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seattle Mariners

Years at Liberty: 1986-88 Five Years in the Majors Major League Debut: Aug. 6, 1990 1990-94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh Pirates

3

FLAMES & PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL Sid Bream

First Baseman Pittsburgh Pirates

1976

CLAY ELLIOT, SS

CHICAGO WHITE SOX Signed Free Agent

1981

1981

1982

SID BREAM, 1B

LEE GUETTERMAN, LHP

DOUG SMITH, RHP

Third Base Coach Pittsburgh Pirates

RENARD BROWN, OF SEATTLE MARINERS Drafted 3rd Round

1987

1986

PAT SIPE, 1B

NILES CREEKMORE, RHP

1988

1989

MONTREAL EXPOS Signed Free Agent

CLINT HORSLEY, RHP RANDY TOMLIN, LHP ST. LOUIS CARDINALS Drafted 29th Round

PITTSBURGH PIRATES Drafted 18th Round

MONTREAL EXPOS Signed Free Agent

TONY BEASLEY, 2B BALTIMORE ORIOLES Drafted 19th Round

BERNIE YOUNG, OF

PITTSBURGH PIRATES Drafted 21st Round

Tony Beasley

1986

JEFF MINCEY, C

1978

ATLANTA BRAVES Drafted 10th Round

LOS ANGELES DODGERS Drafted 2nd Round

1982

1976

SEATTLE MARINERS Drafted 4th Round

MINNESOTA TWINS Drafted 28th Round

FLAMES & PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL Randy Tomlin Pitcher Pittsburgh Pirates

1989

1989

1990

JAMEY MASON, C

DOUG REYNOLDS, C

FRANK SPEEK, RHP

1990

1991

1992

CALIFORNIA ANGELS Drafted 51st Round

BALTIMORE ORIOLES Drafted 33rd Round

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS Drafted 26th Round

DOUG BRADY, SS

RODNEY ASHBY, RHP

MONTREAL EXPOS Drafted 9th Round

CHICAGO WHITE SOX Drafted 12th Round

CHICAGO CUBS Signed Free Agent

1993

1994 & 1995

1995

1996

1997 & 1998

1998

JASON BAKER, OF

DANNY HODGES, LHP

DAVID BENHAM, C 1997-NEW YORK METS

JASON BENHAM, 3B

TODD SAMPLES, OF

RICH HUMPHREY, RHP TERRY WEAVER, 3B 1994-CINCINNATI REDS HOUSTON ASTROS Drafted 57th Round

Drafted 23rd Round 1995- SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS Drafted 21st Round

LOS ANGELES DODGERS Signed Free Agent

1998

1998

1998

DAVID DALTON, SS ATLANTA BRAVES Signed Free Agent

TIM HARRELL, RHP

LOS ANGELES DODGERS Drafted 20th Round

PHIL KOJACK, RHP

PITTSBURGH PIRATES Signed Free Agent

CHICAGO CUBS Drafted 41st Round

1998

BENJI MILLER, RHP

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS Drafted 21st Round

Drafted 41st Round 1998-BOSTON RED SOX Drafted 12th Round

BALTIMORE ORIOLES Drafted 37th Round

1998

2000

STEVE WRIGHT, OF

BRIAN ADAMS, LHP

SEATTLE MARINERS Drafted 17th Round

BOSTON RED SOX Drafted 8th Round

FLAMES & PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL

2000 & 2004

2000

Drafted 31st Round 2004-TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS Signed Free Agent

CLEVELAND INDIANS Signed Free Agent

DAN VALENTIN, RHP 2000-OAKLAND ATHLETICS

SCOTTIE SCOTT, C

2001

JOSH BREY, LHP

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS Drafted 4th Round

Jason Jones

Pitcher Rochester Red Wings Minnesota Twins AAA

2002

JOEY MONAHAN, SS CHICAGO CUBS Drafted 7th Round

2003

2003

MONTREAL EXPOS Drafted 14th Round

BOSTON RED SOX Drafted 35th Round

LARRY WAYNE YORK, 2B ERICH CLONINGER, C

2004

2005

2002

2002

STEVE BAKER, OF JONATHAN SCHNEIDER, RHP

SAN DIEGO PADRES Drafted 29th Round

2006 & 2007

PITTSBURGH PIRATES Drafted 15th Round

2007

SOLBACH, RHP GARRETT YOUNG, OF JASON JONES, RHP DAVID BECHTOLD, LHP MICHAEL 2006 -ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NEW YORK YANKEES Drafted 4th Round

COLORADO ROCKIES Drafted 28th Round

Drafted 48th Round 2007 -ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

BOSTON RED SOX Drafted 46th Round

Drafted 19th Round

2007

2007

PHILLIP LAURENT, OF

MICHAEL JUST, 2B

SAN DIEGO PADRES Signed Free Agent

HOUSTON ASTROS Signed Free Agent

2008

RYAN PAGE, LHP

TORONTO BLUE JAYS Drafted 20th Round

2008

DAVID STOKES, RHP DETROIT TIGERS Drafted 28th Round

2009

2009

ERROL HOLLINGER, C ANDREW WILSON, RHP

ARIZONA DIAMOND BACKS Signed as Free Agent

ATLANTA BRAVES Drafted 36th Round

ALUMNI WEEKEND The Liberty Baseball program completed its fall season in 2008 with an alumni game over the University’s Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 23-24. The two-day weekend included a golf outing, a dinner and a game underneath the lights at Worthington Stadium.

Coach Jim Toman meets with alumni

On the 23rd, 46 alumni took part in the golf outing at London Downs Golf Course in nearby Forest, Va. In the evening, 130 alumni and family members attended a dinner celebrating Liberty baseball, past and present. The program’s founder and first coach, Al Worthington, and former coach Johnny Hunton, along with Liberty Director of Athletics Jeff Barber and Flames Club Director Bob Good, spoke after the dinner to the group. Former Liberty major leaguers Sid Bream (1979-81), Lee Guetterman (1978-81) and Randy Tomlin (1986-88) were among the former players who attended the dinner. On the evening of the 24th, Bream, Guetterman and Tomlin were among 54 former Liberty players who participated in the alumni game under the lights at Worthington Stadium. Coach Hunton and Coach Worthington led the two squads, with Hunton’s team winning.

Former Liberty Coach Johnny Hunton

David Benham

Sid Bream and Liberty’s first head coach Al Worthington

ALL-TIME HONOR ROLL JASON BENHAM

RENARD BROWN

RICHARD DeWITT

VASID COACH OF THE YEAR 1991 2000

Johnny Hunton Dave Pastors (Co-Coach)

TEAM MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS

BRIAN HARRELL

MATT STEWART

DARREL MANUEL

ALL-AMERICANS

ECAC ALL-STAR TEAM

First Team 1981 Sid Bream, 1B NAIA, NABC 1981 Lee Guetterman, RHP NAIA 1982 Renard Brown, OF NAIA

First Team 1991 Doug Brady, 1F 1998 Jason Benham, 3b

Second Team 1981 Darrell Manuel, OF NAIA

COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT

PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS Third Team 2006 Aaron Grijalva, 1B Collegiate Baseball

Second Team 1992 Danny Brahn, OF 1998 Steve Wright, OF

1998 2005 2006 2008

David Benham, C Jason Benham, 3B Phillip Thompson, P Phillip Laurent, OF David Giammaresi, 1B Errol Hollinger, C Clarence Nicely, RHP

FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICANS

VASID ALL-STATE

2000

First Team 1991 Doug Brady, IF Chris Robbins, IF Danny Brahn, OF 1996 Steve Wright, OF 1998 Jason Benham, 3B Steve Wright, OF 2000 Keith Butler, OF 2002 Larry Wayne York, 2B Marcus Maringola, OF 2004 Jeremiah Boles, OF 2005 Phillip Laurent, OF 2006 Phillip Laurent, OF 2007 Garrett Young, OF

2005 2009

Keith Butler, OF Collegiate Baseball, Baseball America Joey Monahan, SS Baseball America Aaron Grijalva, 1B Collegiate Baseball Tyler Bream, 3B Collegiate Baseball

COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN COLLEGE DIVISION First Team 1980 Richard DeWitt, SS

UNIVERSITY DIVISION Third Team 1998 Jason Benham, 3B

ABCA ALL-ATLANTIC REGION First Team 1991 Doug Brady, SS Chris Robbins, 2B 2000 Josh Brey, P Second Team 1998 Steve Wright, OF

Second Team 2006 Michael Just, 2B Chad Miller, 3B 2008 David Stokes, P 2009 Curran Redal, OF Shawn Teufel, P Honorable Mention 2000 Josh Brey, P Dan Valentin, P 2002 Joey Monahan, SS 2005 Aaron Grijalva, 1B

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1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Richard Zazuetta Bill Brown Clay Elliott Jeff Mincey Lee Guetterman Sid Bream Sid Bream Sid Bream Renard Brown Darrell Manuel Todd Nelson Pat Sipe Pat Sipe Rodney Carter Randy Tomlin Tony Beasley Todd Swisher Doug Brady, Chris Robbins Mike Kreider Rich Humphrey, Charlie Kim Jeremy Tully Jake Hines Steve Wright David Benham Jason Benham Anthony Pennix Keith Butler, Josh Brey, Dan Valentin Trey Miller Kelly Knouse Chad Bryan Jeremiah Boles Aaron Grijalva Phillip Laurent Garrett Young Errol Hollinger Curran Redal

Sid Bream

ALL-TIME HONOR ROLL AL WORTHINGTON AWARD WINNERS 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Tim Harrell Darren Adams Brian Harrell Chad Bryan Jeff Haines Daniel Bote Josh Butcher David Bechtold Chad Miller Tim John Ryan Page Errol Hollinger

DOUG BRADY

JOSH BREY

LEE GUETTERMAN

RICH HUMPHREY

JOEY MONAHAN

CHRIS ROBBINS

BIG SOUTH ALL-CONFERENCE First Team 1992 Danny Brahn, OF 1993 Rich Humphrey, P 1993 Charlie Kim, OF 1994 Charlie Kim, OF 1995 Jason Baker, OF 1996 David Benham, C Steve Wright, OF 1997 David Benham, C 1998 Jason Benham, 3B Steve Wright, OF 1999 Anthony Pennix, UTL 2000 Keith Butler, OF Kelly Knouse, 1B Scottie Scott, C Dan Valentin, P 2001 Trey Miller, OF 2002 Marcus Maringola, OF Larry Wayne York, 2B Matt Hagen, 3B Joey Monahan, SS 2003 Chad Bryan, 1B 2004 Jeremiah Boles, OF 2005 Phillip Laurent, OF 2007 Kenneth Negron, 2B Tim Nanry, DH 2008 P.K. Keller, OF 2009 Curran Redal, OF Shawn Teufel, LHP Second Team 1994 Terry Weaver 3B 1995 Tim Harrell P Jake Hines 2B 1997 Benji Miller, P 1998 David Benham, C David Dalton, SS Brian Harrell, P Benji Miller, P 1999 Scottie Scott, C 2000 Jay Sullenger, 2B Joey Monahan, SS Josh Brey, P 2001 Steve Baker, OF Larry Wayne York, 2B Josh Brey, P Anthony Pennix, P

2002

2004 2005 2006

2007

2008 2009

Steve Baker, OF Kelly Knouse, 1B Jason Jones, RHP Carlos Garcia, 3B Chris Zuvich, P Michael Just, 2B Phillip Laurent, OF Chad Miller, 3B David Giammaresi, 3B Tim John, P Garrett Young, OF Errol Hollinger, C David Stokes, P Errol Hollinger, C

2000

2001 2002

2003

2007

2008

Keith Butler

2009

Jason Suitt, P (MVP) Larry York, IF Jay Sullenger, IF Keith Butler, OF Trey Miller, OF Keith Butler, OF Matt Hagen, 3B Marcus Maringola, OF Keith Butler, DH Erich Cloninger, C Phillip Laurent, DH Chad Bryan, UTL Jeff Brown, DH P.K. Keller, OF Ryan Page, P Aaron Grijalva, 1B Phillip Laurent, OF Phillip Thompson, SP Patrick Gaillard, SS P.K. Keller, OF Michael Solbach, P Dustin Umberger, P Garrett Young, OF Cody Brown, INF Steven Evans, P Jeff Jefferson, OF Dustin Umberger, P Garrett Young, DH Errol Hollinger, C P.J. Jimenez, 2B

BIG SOUTH ALL-TOURNAMENT

SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

1993

2000 2001

1997

1998

1999

Rich Humphrey, P (MVP) Beau Martin, C Sheldon Bream, 1B Scott Harmsen, SS Charlie Kim, OF Jason Benham, 3B Ryan McClellan, 1B/DH Mike Giordano, OF David Dalton, INF (MVP) Steve Wright, OF Bryan Byler, OF Phil Kojack, P Benji Miller, P Anthony Pennix, UTL Trey Miller, OF

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Brian Harrell (Co-Scholar Athlete) Matt Stewart

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR 1995 2000

Tim Harrell Keith Butler

PLAYER OF THE YEAR 1998 2000

Jason Benham Keith Butler

COACH OF THE YEAR 1998

Dave Pastors

SEASON PREVIEW After posting 68 wins in 2008 and 2009, the most by a Liberty head coach in his first two seasons, under Jim Toman, the 2010 Liberty Flames baseball team will look to continue the program’s progression by capturing a Big South Championship and participating in a NCAA Regional for the first time since 2000. “We have to take that next step,” stated Toman. “And, the next step is winning the conference’s regular season title or winning the Big South tournament, and getting into a NCAA regional.” With seven of their eight position starters back from last season’s 33-21 squad and the addition of several new pitchers to bolster the mound staff, the Flames are optimistic about their chances of obtaining their goals this season. “I am pleased with the depth of our team,” noted Liberty’s third-year head coach. “We have several capable players at each position and 16 pitchers. We will have a lot more options to go to and a lot more moves that we can make during a game. “With a stronger bullpen, I think we will be able to shorten games. In the past, we didn’t have enough people in the bullpen we could go to. But now, we have at least seven guys we can count on to come in at any point in the game and shut down the opposition.” The Flames will return 17 players, including its entire starting infield, from last year’s roster. Last season, Liberty had the highest fielding percentage (.974) and committed the fewest errors (53) in the 37-year history of the program. In addition, the Flames welcome back three members to their roster, who sat out last season. Liberty will add 13 new faces to its roster in 2010. Nine of the baker’s dozen are pitchers. “A lot of our returning guys did well in the fall, and several of our newcomers look like impact players,” stated Toman. “By the time spring rolls around, we should have everyone healthy and ready to go. It should be an exciting team.”

Dustin Umberger

A LOOK AT THE FLAMES BY POSITION Pitching The Liberty mound staff this season will be given a boost by the return of right-hander Dustin Umberger and left-hander Shawn Teufel. The seniors are expected to fill two of the three weekend starting spots in the Flames’ rotation. “Dustin is well on his way back to health after sitting out last year due to injury,” said Toman. “He has been a fixture of the pitching staff in his previous three seasons and we expect him to be one of our top guys. “Shawn Teufel returns after a nine-win season and Steven Evans comes off a seven-win campaign last year. I would expect them to be in our rotation also.” Umberger enters his final season in a Liberty uniform ranked seventh on the school’s career strikeout list with 194. The team captain has logged 267 innings for the Flames, posting a record of 17-10 with three saves. In 2008, Umberger led the Big South Conference with 88 strikeouts in recording an 8-3 mark with a 3.80 ERA. Teufel, also voted a team captain, earned first team All-Big South honors in 2009. The left-hander finished the year second in the Big South with nine wins and third with 72 strikeouts. He was also among the conference leaders in ERA (4.33). Teufel went 9-2 in 14 games over 72 2/3 innings, winning six consecutive starts from March 22 to May 2. Evans went 7-2 with a 3.96 ERA and a save in 2009. The junior left-hander appeared in 16 contests, tying Teufel for the team-high in innings pitched by logging 72 2/3 innings. The trio of returners will be joined by newcomer Keegan Linza as a starter. The 6-5 right-hander transfers to Liberty from Northwest Florida State Community College, where he was an all-conference performer. “We have at least eight pitchers behind those four who did well enough in the fall that we think we can use in the spring,” commented Toman. Heading that group is senior Carter Browning, who was used solely out of the bullpen last season. The right-hander was second in the Big South and led the Flames with 29 appearances in 2009. Browning recorded a 2-2 mark with four saves and a 3.94 ERA over 48 innings. He will be joined by fellow right-handed returners, sophomore Chris McDougal, who saw mound time in 15 contests in 2009, and senior Dane Beakler, who returns to the roster after receiving a medical redshirt last season. Freshmen Josh Richardson and Cameron Giannini, along with juniors Bryan Cole, J.J. McLeod and Chris Roach will see plenty of mound time this season. Zane Bator, Daniel Brown, Tim Dudley and Josh Healey will also compete for innings.

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Shawn Teufel

Catchers For the first time in four years, a new face will be behind home plate for the Flames. Four-year starter Errol Hollinger graduated this past May, leaving the position open to competition for the first time since 2005. However, Toman likes the options he has at the position. “We have three guys who are good enough to be there come the spring,” stated the former catcher. “Nathan Thompson stepped up this fall and preformed well, Jerry Neufang is a highly touted junior college transfer and Trey Wimmer, who started at first base last year, is also a front line catcher. So, I feel like we have several guys who can get it done behind the plate.” Thompson, a senior, was selected by his teammates as a team captain in the fall. The senior has a career .270 batting average, while Neufang transfers from South Florida Community College, where he was named to the Florida Junior College All-State team and led the state of Florida’s junior colleges with 17 home runs last season. Wimmer rounds out the possible candidates at the spot. In 2009, he saw all his game action at first base. Infielders The Flames return all four starters on the infield from last year’s squad. Starting three freshmen and a junior college transfer, the Liberty infield helped the 2009 Flames set a school record with a .974 fielding percentage and commit the fewest errors ever by a Liberty team with 53 over 54 games.

SEASON PREVIEW “We didn’t know what to expect from this group last year as they were all new, but they ended up helping us to set a school record for fielding, which is very impressive,” noted Toman about his infield. “They are all back this year, which is great, plus we brought in three new infielders who are pushing those guys.” At first base, Wimmer, a sophomore, returns after hitting .299 with 32 RBIs, six doubles and six home runs in 53 games last season. Joining him at the position is freshman Justin Sizemore, who had a strong fall and is pushing for playing time, and senior Zane Bator. Both Sizemore and Bator could also be in the line-up this spring as the designated hitter. Senior P.J. Jimenez returns at second base. Last season, Jimenez committed four errors in 51 games and was named to the 2009 Big South All-Tournament team. At the plate, he swung a hot bat in the second half of the season, finishing the year with a .271 batting average, 13 doubles and four home runs. At shortstop, sophomore Matt Williams will look to build upon his solid freshman campaign of 2009. Williams, who also was the Flames’ leadoff hitter last season, started all 54 games, making only 10 errors and hitting .283 with 12 doubles and 49 runs scored. At third base, 2009 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Tyler Bream returns for his second season at Liberty. Despite having his season cut to 46 games due to injury last year, the sophomore hit .337, while finishing the season third in the Big South with 57 RBIs and ninth with a .572 slugging percentage. Bream also had 16 doubles, two triples and eight home runs in his maiden season in a Flames uniform. According to Toman, newcomers Josh Richardson and Austin Taylor are pushing for playing time at the middle infield positions and third base, giving Liberty five options at the three positions. Richardson, a freshman who also could see time on the mound, was the 2009 Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) State Player of the Year, while Taylor, a junior college transfer, was a 43rd round draft pick out of high school by the Cincinnati Reds in 2007. Outfielders Just like the rest of the roster, the Flames return several players with significant playing time during their Liberty careers in the outfield for 2010. “We have seven outfielders and even a few infielders we may move to outfield,” noted Toman. “Who plays out there, especially left field, may depend on who is hitting the best at the time. “It is a good problem to have, as we have a bunch of guys out there who can swing the bats a little bit.” Leading the outfield returnees is 2009 Big South All-Conference first team member Curran Redal. The senior is expected once again to roam center field for the Flames. Last season, Redal hit .380 with

42 RBIs and 50 runs scored. In addition, he had 13 doubles, four triples and six home runs, while being one of the hardest hitters in the nation to strikeout in 2009, ranking ninth in the country by fanning only once per 21.3 at bats. The outfielder set a Big South record by hitting safely in 32 consecutive games last season. In left field, experience abounds, but who mans the spot remains unsettled. Returners Doug Bream, Jeff Jefferson, Kenneth Negron, Justin Richardson and Kizuku Scott are all vying for playing time in left field. Doug Bream played in 46 games, with 34 starts in the outfield last season. The junior hit .355 with 33 RBIs, 13 doubles and six home runs. Meanwhile, Jefferson, also a junior, played in 38 games, all in the outfield in 2009, hitting .310 with five doubles and seven home runs. Joining them in the left field mix are two converted infielders, Negron and Scott. Negron, a senior who was All-Big South as a second baseman in 2007, has hit over .300 in a season twice during his collegiate career and adds speed to the roster, as he has stolen 20 bases in his two years at Liberty. Scott, like Negron, played on the infield, seeing time at both second and third base last season. The sophomore hit .236 in 27 games in his first year of college baseball, while battling injuries. Richardson is also in the mix in the outfield. However, the sophomore, who bats from the left side, is likely to see most of his action as the designated hitter, and pinch hitting roles after several big pinch hits for the Flames last season. In right field, transfer Michael Robertson and Casey Brown are possible options. Robertson, a sophomore, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in

40th round of the MLB Draft last June. He adds speed to the Liberty roster. Brown hit .314 in 42 games after transferring to Liberty from junior college in 2009. The senior could also see some playing time in center field.

Curran Redal

FLAMES AT A GLANCE Center Field Redal C. Brown

Left Field Negron D. Bream Scott Ju. Richardson

Shortstop Williams Jo. Richardson (p)

Second Base Jimenez Taylor

First Base Wimmer (c) Sizemore Bator (p)

Third Base T. Bream

Left-Handed Pitchers Teufel Evans Roach Dudley Catchers Thompson Neufang

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Right Field Robertson Jefferson

Right-Handed Pitchers Umberger Beakler Linza Cole Giannini McDougal Browning D. Brown McLeod Healey

WORTHINGTON STADIUM March 28, 2008 was a historic night in the 37 years of Liberty University baseball, as for the first time a night game was contested at Worthington Stadium. A record crowd of 3,183 saw the Flames host Coastal Carolina in the Big South Conference opening game for both squads. Also unveiled that evening was a new state-of-the-art public address system. The installation of lights and public address system are just a few of several improvement projects which have taken place at the stadium over the past three years. Before the beginning of the 2008 season, a field turf collar was installed around the home plate area, along with the placement of windscreens down each baseline and the refurbishment of the stadium’s scoreboard. Inside the adjacent Crowder/Muckel Field House, the Liberty team locker facility was refurbished with a Tuflex floor surface and a new paint scheme and interior design was implemented throughout the building. Last year, a new batter’s eye was erected in centerfield along with the stadium’s bullpens being relocated to behind the outfield walls. Inside the field house, a new mud room was built and several computers were purchased and added to the team lounge for players’ use. Also, the training room was relocated in the building and upgraded. In addition, the Flames’ locker room was named the Greg and Dotttie Clendenin Locker Room in honor of the former Liberty baseball player and his wife’s generous donation to the program, which helped provide funding for many of the upgrades at the facility over the past two years. Prior to this season, padding was installed on the outfield fences, while inside the field house upgrades were made to both the kitchen and team lounge areas. New furniture, wall art, a new air hockey table and a refurbished pool table are just some of the new features in the clubhouse. Liberty University moved into Worthington Stadium during the 1979 season after playing and practicing at other fields throughout the city of Lynchburg for four years. At the time the Flames moved to Worthington Stadium, it was named Liberty Field.

On May 3, 1986, the field was officially named Worthington Field after former Liberty Baseball Coach and Athletic Director Al Worthington. The Flames posted a 19-3 win over Maryland in the inaugural game. Worthington came to Liberty in 1974 after playing professional baseball with the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins. He built a strong base for the program and recruited former major leaguers and Liberty players Sid Bream, Lee Guetterman and Randy Tomlin. Worthington posted a 343-191 mark at Liberty as the Flames moved from the NCCAA level all the way to the NCAA Division I ranks under his leadership. He also piloted Liberty to three fifth-place finishes at the NAIA World Series, from 1981 to 1983.

Al Worthington The name was changed from Worthington Field to Worthington Stadium during the 1995 season. Worthington Stadium was recognized in 1998 by Sports Turf Magazine as the “Diamond of the Year” in college baseball. The Flames have an overall record of 505-231-5 at the facility since its inception in 1979. The state-of-the-art Crowder/Muckel Field House opened in 2003, adjacent to the stadium. It includes locker facilities, restrooms, indoor batting cages, private boxes and a team lounge. The field received a face-lift in the summer of 1999, as new Bermuda grass was laid out in the infield. During the winter of 2000, a new netting backstop was put in place, replacing the steel backstop, which had been in place since the stadium’s inception.

YEAR-BY-YEAR RESULTS AT WORTHINGTON STADIUM 2009.......................................................19-5 2008 .................................................11-12-1 2007.......................................................23-9 2006.......................................................22-9 2005.......................................................24-5 2004.....................................................20-12 2003.......................................................9-12 2002 .................................................13-10-1 2001.......................................................23-9 2000.......................................................18-8 1999.......................................................13-9 1998.......................................................20-9 1997.......................................................10-8 1996.....................................................10-10 1995.......................................................21-8 1994 .................................................14-12-1

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1993.....................................................10-11 1992 ...................................................14-7-1 1991.......................................................23-4 1990 ...................................................13-5-1 1989.......................................................15-5 1988.........................................................8-7 1987.........................................................5-9 1986.......................................................15-3 1985.......................................................14-9 1984.......................................................15-4 1983.......................................................25-4 1982.......................................................24-4 1981.......................................................18-4 1980 ......................................................20-6 1979 ...................................................16-2-1 Total ..............................505-231-5 (.685)

Worthington Stadium at Night

Liberty Starter David Stokes Delivers a Pitch

Flames Celebrate Scoring Game’s First Run

Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. Throws out the First Pitch

Part of a Stadium Record Crowd of 3,183 looks on

Sun Sets at Worthington

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CROWDER/MUCKEL FIELDHOUSE

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STRENGTH & CONDITIONING The Liberty strength and conditioning program is used to help develop stronger and more competitive baseball players and athletes. It ensures each athlete gets the maximum benefit from resistance training, improved quickness, injury prevention and sport specific conditioning. Our athletes train year round using various strength training and conditioning methods, looking to challenge them both physically and mentally. Liberty Baseball Strength & Conditioning Coach Colin Dugan

15

MEDIA INFORMATION MEDIA CREDENTIALS

PHOTOGRAPHY POLICIES

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

Working press credentials for Liberty home baseball games can be obtained by contacting the Liberty University Athletics Communications Office. Due to space limitations, seating cannot be guaranteed in the Liberty baseball press box. Only requests from sports writers of daily newspapers and sports directors of television stations, along with media agencies covering the visiting team, will receive top priority. Credentials will not be mailed, but can be picked up at the baseball press box on game day. An I.D. may be required when picking up credentials.

Photographers are not permitted inside the Worthington Stadium fence or to take photos from the roof of the dugouts.

On game days, the Flames’ locker room is closed to media after games, home or away. Head Coach Jim Toman and requested players will be made available after a brief 10 minute cooling off period. A representative of the Liberty University Athletics Communications Office will assist in coordinating interviews.

GAME PRESS SERVICES The Liberty University Athletics Communications staff will be at your service throughout the contest. All members of the media will be provided with line-ups, roster cards, press guides and other pertinent information. Full statistics will be available at the end of the game. Telephones and a fax machine will also be available for the media’s use.

INTERVIEWS POLICIES During the season, Head Coach Jim Toman is available for interviews weekday mornings, except Wednesday, and before or after practice in the afternoons. Players are generally available before or after practice and are not available for interviews prior to games. All interviews must be arranged through the Liberty Athletics Communications Office at least one day in advance at (434) 592-2292. Please do not call the baseball office. Players will not be asked to miss class or study hall for interviews.

MEDIA OUTLETS RADIO WRVL- 88.3 Jerry Edwards, Station Manager Box 25,000 Lynchburg, VA 24506 Phone: (434) 582-3688 Fax: (434) 582-2994

VISITING RADIO STATIONS Liberty University will have a phone line in its press facilities for use by visiting broadcasters. Visiting stations will need to bring all of their own equipment required to originate a broadcast. Please clear up any questions on equipment prior to the date of the game. All calls must be made collect or direct dial from the station to the baseball field. There is an emergency line in case of technical difficulties. The emergency line is (434) 582-2914.

TELEVISION WDBJ-TV/Channel 7 Travis Wells, Sports Director P.O. Box 7 Roanoke, VA 24022-0007 Phone: (540) 344-7000 Fax: (540) 344-5097

WWMC – 90.9 “The Light” Jamie Hall, Station Manager 1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, VA 24502 Phone: (434) 582-3691 Fax: (434) 582-7461

WSET-TV/Channel 13 Dennis Carter, Sports Director 2320 Langhorne Rd. Lynchburg, VA 24051 Phone: (434) 528-1313 Fax: (434) 847-8800 WSLS-TV/Channel 10 John Appicello, Sports Director 401 3rd St. SW Roanoke, VA 24011 Phone: (540) 981-9110 Fax: (540) 343-2059

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS TODD WETMORE

RYAN BOMBERGER

PAUL CARMANY

ERIC BROWN

JENNIFER SHELTON

Assistant AD for Communications

Associate Athletics Communications Director

Assistant Athletics Communications Director

Assistant Athletics Communications Director

Athletics Communications Graduate Assistant

Contact for: Football and wrestling [email protected]

Contact for: Baseball, men’s soccer and men’s and women’s tennis [email protected]

Contact for: Men’s and women’s track and field, volleyball and women’s basketball [email protected]

Contact for: Men’s basketball, men’s golf, women’s lacrosse and athletics web site [email protected]

Contact for: Men’s and women’s cross country, women’s soccer and softball [email protected]

1971 UNIVERSITY BLVD. • LYNCHBURG, VA 24502 • PHONE: (434) 582-2292 FAX: (434) 582-2076 16

MEDIA INFORMATION PRINT Liberty Champion Sports Editor 1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, VA 24502 Phone: (434) 582-2124 Fax (434) 582-2420 Lynchburg News and Advance Chris Morris, Sports Editor Chris Lang, Beat Writer 101 Wyndale Drive P.O. Box 10129 Lynchburg, VA 24506 Phone: (434) 385-5554 Fax: (434) 385-5538

The Richmond Times Dispatch Sports Editor P.O. Box 85333 Richmond, VA 23293 Phone: (804) 649-6554 Fax: (804) 775-8085 The Roanoke Times Sports Editor P.O. Box 2491 Roanoke, VA 24010 Phone: (540) 981-3100 Fax: (540) 524-4698 WIRE SERVICES Associated Press Sports Desk 600 East Main St.

College Baseball.Rivals.com Kendall Rodgers, College Editor Phone: (615) 507 3935 Website:collegebaseball.rivals.com

Richmond, VA 23219-2684 Phone: (800) 552-9935 Fax: (800) 357-8525 COLLEGE BASEBALL OUTLETS Baseball America Aaron Fitt, Assistant Editor Phone: (800) 845-2726 Website: BaseballAmerica.com

CollegeBaseballInsider.com Sean Ryan, Phil Stanton. Editors Website:CollegeBasellInsider.com

College Baseball Blog Brian Foley, Editor Website: thecollegebaseballblog.com

National College Baseball Writers Association Bo Carter, Executive Director Website: sportswriters.net/ncbwa

Collegiate Baseball Lou Pavlovich, Jr., Editor Phone: (520) 623-7815 Website: baseballnews.com

Southeastern Baseball Mark Etheridge, Publisher Phone: (205) 886-7978 Website: SEBaseball.com

2010 TRAVEL PLANS

LIBERTY FLAMES BROADCAST SCHEDULE

FEB. 19-21 – KENNESAW STATE Hotel: Hilton Garden 895 Cobb Place Kennesaw, GA 30144 Telephone: (678) 322-1140

This season, the Flames Sports Network is scheduled to broadcast over 40 Liberty baseball contests this season either by radio or video streaming. With Nick Pierce providing play-by-play, radio broadcasts will be provided by 90.9 FM The Light and video will be streamed on the Big South Network. Links to the broadcasts are provided on LibertyFlames.com.

FEB. 26-28 – HUGHES BROS. CHALLENGE Hotel: Jameson Inn 5102 Dunlea Court Wilmington, NC 28405 Telephone: (910) 452-5660

2/28 .........................................at UNC Wilmington (R) 3/6 ...................................................Delaware State (S) 3/7 ................................................Delaware State (SR) 3/9 .....................................................Old Dominion (S) 3/12 .........................................................St. John’s (S) 3/13 .........................................................St. John’s (S) 3/14 .........................................................St. John’s (S) 3/16 ............................................at James Madison (R) 3/17.............................................................at Duke (R) 3/19 .......................................................Manhattan (S) 3/20 .......................................................Manhattan (S) 3/21........................................................Manhattan (S) 3/23 .................................................at Virginia Tech (R) 3/30..................................................George Mason (S) 4/3.................................................High Point (DH) (SR) 4/5.................................................at Old Dominion (R) 4/9 ..........................................................at Radford (R) 4/10 ........................................................at Radford (R) 4/11 ........................................................at Radford (R)

MARCH 25-28 – UNC ASHEVILLE Hotel: Springhill Suites 2 Buckstone Place Asheville, NC 28805 Telephone: (828) 253-4666 APRIL 9-11 – RADFORD Hotel: Comfort Suites 2331 Tyler Rd. Christiansburg, VA 24073 Telephone: (540) 639-3333 APRIL 22-25 – PRESBYTERIAN Hotel: Comfort Suites 12865 Hwy 56 North Clinton, SC, 29325 Telephone: (864) 833-1800

THE FLAMES SPORTS NETWORK SCHEDULE 4/13 ..................................................................Elon (S) 4/16...................................................................VMI (S) 4/17...................................................................VMI (S) 4/18 ................................................................VMI (SR) 4/20 ................................................................Duke (S) 4/21.................................................James Madison (R) 4/30 ..................................................Gardner-Webb (S) 5/1 ....................................................Gardner-Webb (S) 5/2 ..................................................Gardner-Webb (SR) 5/5...........................................................Maryland (R) 5/14 ...............................................Coastal Carolina (S) 5/15 ...............................................Coastal Carolina (S) 5/16 .............................................Coastal Carolina (SR) 5/20 ......................................................at Winthrop (R) 5/21 ......................................................at Winthrop (R) 5/22 ......................................................at Winthrop (R) 5/25-29.............................Big South Championship (R) R – Radio • S – Video Streaming Schedule subject to change

MAY 6-9 – CHARLESTON SOUTHERN Hotel: Wingate Inn 5219 North Arco Lane North Charleston, SC 29418 Telephone: (843) 574-6762 MAY 19-22 –WINTHROP Hotel: Wingate Inn 760 Galleria Blvd I-77 and Dave Lyle Blvd Rock Hill, SC 29730 Telephone: (803) 324-9000

Nick Pierce Play-by-Play

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ACADEMIC AFFAIRS FOR ATHLETICS STAFF

ACADEMIC SERVICES

KRISTIE BEITZ Associate Athletics Director for Academic Affairs

MATT ANTHONY Academic Coordinator

Liberty’s NCAA Divison I CoSIDA Academic All-Americans Jarrod Everson First Team (Football) 1998 Second Team (Football) 1997 Mike Gelatt First Team (Men’s Soccer) 2007 & 2008

Jay Cline Second Team (Football) 2005

Megan Frazee Second Team (Women’s Basketball) 2008 First Team (Women’s Basketball) 2009

Kristin Colson Second Team (Volleyball) 2005

Clendon Henderson First Team (Track) 2008

Holly Deem Third Team (Track) 1998

Jennifer Hodges Third Team (Women’s Soccer) 1999

Jason Benham Third Team (Baseball) 1998

Liberty University student-athletes continue to score high marks in the classroom, as well as on the playing field, due to the efforts of the Liberty University Academic Affairs for Athletics Department. Kristie Beitz, in her fourth year as Liberty’s Associate Athletics Director for Academic Affairs, heads a staff which also includes Matt Anthony, Jeni Coleman and Buck Romero. Kristie Beitz oversees academic affairs for the Flames baseball program. Equipped with facilities at the Vines Center, the Williams Football Operations Center and the Hancock Athletic Center, student-athletes have convenient locations in which to utilize the staff and available resources. Student-athletes receive everything from computer use and tutorial services to lessons on study skills, time management and organizational skills. The Liberty baseball team has excelled in the classroom, with the assistance of the Academic Affairs for Athletics Department.

JENI COLEMAN Academic Coordinator

BUCK ROMERO

Danielle McNaney First Team (Track) 2005 Second Team (Track) 2004 Daniel Newell First Team (Track) 2008 Heather Sagan First Team (Track/Cross Country) 2002

2008-09 Big South Presidential Honor Roll Baseball Team Members Doug Bream Tyler Bream Errol Hollinger Lance Howe Jeff Jefferson P.J. Jimenez Steven Keener John Long Tim Rotola

Kristal Tharp Second Team (Women’s Basketball) 2005 Cathy Williams Third Team (Track/Cross Country) 1998 Arlene Zelinskas Second Team (Track) 2007

Mark Swanson Shawn Teufel Nathan Thompson Trey Wimmer

Director of Academics for Men’s Basketball