It’s still early in the preseason, but UH baseball head coach Rayner Noble is encouraged by his team’s progress.
The Cougars, who are in their first full week of spring practice, held intrasquad scrimmages on Friday and Saturday. They were back on the field Tuesday for some offensive drills after spending Monday working mostly on defense.
Noble was particularly impressed with Monday’s workout.
"Everybody had unbridled enthusiasm," Noble said. "I wish people were here to see what we did (Monday); it’s hard to describe. If we can capture that on a regular basis, there’iacute;s no telling what can happen with this team."
One of the biggest tasks Noble faces is finding a viable mix of infielders. The Cougars had problems with last season’s infield defense, and Noble would like to fix that during this season.
"The really good teams out there are the ones that are playing the defense (and) pitching the ball well," Noble said. "That’s not to discount hitting, but that’s where your foundation needs to be. "That’s what we’re really trying to accomplish, and we’ve got about two and half more weeks to get things ironed out and get people in the right places before we hit Pacific (in the season-opener on Feb. 22)."
Nothing is set in stone, but if the season were to begin today, the starting infield would probably consist of junior Jimmy Cesario (first base), senior Ryan Lormand (second or third base), freshman Blake Kelso (shortstop) and either senior Bryan Pounds or junior Felix Fanaselle at second or third base. The catcher’s job could go to any of sophomores Austin Goolsby and Chris Wallace or junior Alberto Lopez.
This projected lineup could change depending on how well Fanaselle adjusts to second base.
"He played (some) at second the first two intrasquads, and he’s doing OK," Noble said. "He gets better everyday he’s out there practicing.
"He’s one of those guys where we’iacute;d really like to have his bat in the lineup, but he knows he’iacute;s got to be better defensively and that’iacute;s what we’re working on."
If Fanaselle (.296 batting average, 26 RBIs last season) struggles at second, he’ll likely serve as the team’s designated hitter and a reserve infielder.
Either way, Fanaselle should play a key role in the Cougars’ offense, which returns a few potent hitters. Cesario (.352 average, .417 on-base percentage, 35 RBIs), Lormand (.298, 39 RBIs) and sophomore outfielder Zak Presley (.306, 28 RBIs) are expected to occupy spots near the top of the lineup.
Lormand was the Cougars’ leadoff hitter last season, but Noble expects Presley to step into that role.
"He’s probably the most likely candidate because I would really like to get (Lormand) into the middle of the lineup," Noble said. "I think that (Lormand) has matured a lot, and will probably hit in the No. 2 or the No. 4 hole around (Cesario)."
Noble will have to make a lot of decisions between now and the season-opener, but he’s not worried about the future.
"I think this team is steered in the right direction, (and) our focus is where it needs to be," Noble said. "We have a purpose in what we’re doing, and I think that’s the main thing. That’s why I’m encouraged about this team. I think it has a chance to do big things."
