Thursday, February 25, 2010

MACON, Ga. - The Atlantic Sun Baseball Series of the Week features Jacksonville in week two of the baseball season as the Dolphins host the JU Invitational.

Richmond, No. 22 Oklahoma and Valparaiso head to Sessions Stadium for the JU Invite as Jacksonville looks to rebound from a slow start. The Dolphins, picked second in the A-Sun Preseason Coaches poll, have opened the season with a 1-3 mark. One of the biggest issues plaguing Jacksonville has been injuries as the Dolphins have lost a majority of starting pitchers to the injury bug including Matt Loosen. Loosen, a unanimous selection to the preseason all-conference squad, posted a 4-1 record a season ago with a 4.16 ERA and ranked nationally in strikeouts (59th, 91).

With the injuries Chris Kaminski has been moved from closer to starter and has not disappointed. The junior earned a selection to the preseason all-conference squad as a relief pitcher but made his first appearance in 2010 as a starter. Kaminski went seven innings for the Dolphins without giving up an earned run and help JU earn a victory against UNC Wilmington.

Chuck Opachich jumped out of the blocks in the 2010 season posting a .600 batting average and a .733 slugging percentage in the first four games of the campaign. Adam Brett Walker has also been an early bright spot for the Jacksonville offense. In two games in 2010 the freshman has posted a home run, two RBIs and a .778 slugging percentage.

Oklahoma enters the JU Invitational ranked No. 22 having posted a four-game sweep against San Diego State to open the 2010 campaign. The Sooners starting pitching staff heads to Sessions Stadium after giving up only seven earned runs in the opening weekend.

The Richmond offense exploded for 48 runs on 42 hits in winning two games on college baseball's opening weekend, junior Billy Barber was named the co-Player of the Week in Atlantic 10. Barber batted .545 and slugged .909 for the Spiders in three games.

Valparaiso enters the JU Invite winless after being swept by McNeese State on opening weekend. Ryan O’Gara led Valpo offensively in the first weekend of the college baseball season posting a .364 batting average and a .818 slugging percentage. Jon Gulbransen posted a solid outing on the mound for the Crusaders going six innings in relief and striking out ten.       

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.