With the loss of senior leadership, a young roster of outfielders will have to step up for the 2010 season.

“We need to get better than we were last year defensively,” head coach Jim Schlossnagle said, never mentioning his team’s accomplishment of making an appearance in the NCAA Super Regional last June.

“I don’t think you can assume anything,” he said. “I’ve tried to preach that to our guys.”

On a youthful team that considers sophomores veterans, Jason Coats, the probable starting left fielder, said he is expecting to use his experience to mentor new players. He played in 57 games last season and started in 54.

“I’m prepared to step up and become a leader on the team,” Coats said. “That’s what the coaches want me to do.”

One of the recruits, freshman Kyle Von Tungeln, will potentially be placed in center field.

Schlossnagle tagged him as one of the upcoming players to watch this season. Tungeln was ranked as the 77th prospect in Texas and has a decorated high school career.
Tungeln said that shifting to the college level wasn’t easy.

“It took a little bit of adjustment,” Tungeln said. “But I think I made it and fit well into the program.”

Schlossnagle hasn’t yet determined who will be the certain right fielder, but said to look for redshirt sophomore Zac Jordan or freshman Josh Elander.

Elander was drafted in the 37th round by the Washington Nationals, but turned down the offer to play college baseball. He was also named an Under-Armour All-American in both his junior and senior year.

“Tungeln and Elander have the chance to be very strong players,” Schlossnagle said.