2011 record: 42-21 (lost in NCAA regional)
Coach (seasons, career record): Danny Hall (24, 987-466-1)
Gone: The Yellow Jackets lost four juniors to the draft, All-ACC pitchers Mark Pope and Jed Bradley, All-ACC third baseman Matt Skole and shortstop Jacob Esch. The loss of Pope and Bradley, who averaged nearly seven innings per start, puts pressure on Tech's bullpen.
Returning: Tech returns seven position starters, including four sophomores. Pitcher Buck Farmer moves from the No. 3 starting spot to No. 1. First baseman Jake Davies (.347 BA in 2011), center fielder Kyle Wren (.340) and right fielder/DH Daniel Palka (.297, 12 HRs) are among the top hitters back.
Three big ifs for success
- If Hall can find two consistent pitchers to back up Farmer and Matthew Grimes.
- If either third basemen Chase Butler or Alex Cruz can play good defense and provide some offense.
- If the Jackets can get past the NCAA regional round for the first time since going to the College World Series in 2006.
Schedule
February: 17 Kent State (Rock Hill, S.C.), at Winthrop; 18 Kent State (Rock Hill, S.C.); 19 at Winthrop; 22 at Georgia Southern; 24-26 Ohio State; 29 Kennesaw State
March: 2-4 Rutgers; 7 at Georgia State; 9-11 at N.C. State; 13 Wagner; 16-18 Virginia Tech; 20 at Georgia; 23-25 at Boston College; 27-28 Georgia Southern; 30-31 Duke
April: 1 Duke; 3 at Kennesaw State; 6-8 Florida State; 10 Mercer; 13-15 at Wake Forest; 17 Georgia State; 20-22 at North Carolina; 24 Georgia (Turner Field); 27-29 Clemson
May: 5-6 Charlotte; 9 Georgia; 11-13 at Virginia; 15 at Mercer; 17-19 Miami
Compiled by Ken Sugiura
