There will be a score of new faces when UCF baseball opens the season Friday night against Siena at Jay Bergman Field.
UCF loses Zach Rodgers who was American All-Conference and the team’s ace of the pitching staff. Multi-year starters on offense such as Erik Barber, Dylan Moore, Derrick Salberg, Jordan Savinon, James Vasquez, JoMarcos Woods and Tommy Williams have all graduated.
There will be a lot of turnover for a UCF team that started out with so much promise last year and then struggled as the season came to its end, missing out on the NCAA Baseball Tournament despite a national ranking earlier in the year.
Terry Rooney, who enters his eighth season at UCF will depend on Cre Finfrock who will assume the No. 1 starting pitcher role. Matt Diorio returns as UCF’s best hitter. Logan Heiser, Sam Tolleson will see their responsibilities grow with Tolleson starting first base.
Beyond that, much is still up in the air. But Rooney is confident the incoming class of high school and junior college players are ready for the challenge.
Terry Rooney talked about the 2016 season as Rooney talked to Eric Lopez on the “SportstalkFlorida Insiders Show” on Sportstalk 1080am the Team Orlando. Rooney discussed the following :
- Leadership on Team
- Cre Finfrock being the Friday night starter
- UCF Bullpen Improvement
- Key offense players to look for
- Being better on the Road
More: 2016 Schedule / Roster
UCF opens its season at Jay Bergman Field on Friday against Siena.
