Oregon Tech - Baseball
Tech second baseman Ryson Mauricio picked up post-season accolades, as he was selected All-Conference and to the Region I team. Mauricio set a single-season hits record at Oregon Tech with 69 on the 2008 season and will be looked upon to lead the Owl offense in 2009. |
The 2009 Owl Baseball Team Sets Sight on Post-Season Play
With a new coaching staff taking over for the 2008 season, no one knew what the expectations would be on the new season. Weather conditions forced the Owls to play on the road the first half of the season and saw Tech get off to a slow start with a 3-18 record in their first 21 contests. From there, the Owls found the bats and played some defense, winning their next 11 of 13 and going 19-12 their final 31 games, including two wins over Region I powers University of British Columbia and Concordia University, along with a 1-0 win and first ever shutout over No. 2 ranked Lewis-Clark College. The Owls did not make the Region I playoffs, but did finish the season 22-30, giving Tech only their 3rd 20+ win season in school history.
In an injury plagued season, Tech's Lee Eklund played in only 31 games but still led the squad with a .367 batting average and in homeruns with 5. Eklund drove in 20 runs for the Owls in 2008 and will be asked to put up big numbers for Tech in 2009. |
Eight Owls received post-season honors, including 1st team all-conference awards to Casey Burton, Ryson Mauricio, Sean Teaters and Kenny Simmons. Making the HM team were Trent Smith and Derek Jacobson. Gold Glove winners went to Kenny Simmons, Quinn Hummel and Casey Burton. A trio of Owls picked up Region I honors including 1st team nods to Mauricio and Teaters, while Burton picked up a Gold Glove award. Ryson Mauricio also set an all-time single season hits record for Tech with 69 on the season and senior pitcher Ryan Henry was selected to the All-American Scholar-Athlete group.
Second-year head coach Matt Miles and his staff has signed several junior college transfers and incoming freshman to compliment the 2009 roster. The Owls have over 50 games on the 2009 schedule and will enter a new league next season, including four teams from Northern California. Expectations for the 2009 season are high and post-season play will be the goal for the 2009 Owls team.