Feb. 13, 2002
ROCK HILL, SC – During the 2001 season, getting recognition from the college baseball polls was like pulling teeth for the Winthrop baseball team.
The team started off hot and continued to play well all season. The Eagles had a two-game sweep of Florida, wins at Clemson, Georgia and Alabama, wins over Indiana, North Carolina, North Carolina State, and two over Kentucky. Despite the success, it wasn't until the end of the season when the team finally got recognition and after falling to East Carolina in the Wilson Regional Finals, Winthrop finished 24th in Baseball America's final Top 25 poll.
This season is a different story. Winthrop started off 36th in Collegiate Baseball's preseason poll and just recently received 15 votes in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 College Coaches Poll. Winthrop is 2-0 after sweeping a two-game set with Marshall on Feb. 9-10.
"It is extremely gratifying for the Winthrop baseball program to receive preseason recognition for 2002," said head coach Joe Hudak. "I believe it is a tribute to the success we have had over the past few years as well as the quality of our players."
Two individuals on the team also received some preseason honors. Ben Thurmond and Todd Leathers were both chosen as preseason All-Americans by Collegiate Baseball.
This weekend the Eagles will get their first big test of the 2002 season as they travel to Gainesville, FL for a two-game series with the Florida Gators. Florida is ranked 14th by Collegiate Baseball, 18th by Baseball America, and 10th by the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 College Coaches Poll. The Gators are coming off two wins at nationally ranked Miami, bumping the Hurricanes as many as 10 spots in the polls.
Last season Winthrop headed down to Gainesville with a 5-1 record and little respect. Some of the Florida players had never heard of Winthrop. Well after the two-game sweep they will more than likely remember the Eagles this year. Winthrop outscored Florida 25-12 in the two games (11-7 win and 14-5 win).
This is a perfect opportunity for the Eagles to keep gaining national attention.
"Our goal has been to build a program that competes nationally year in and year out," Hudak said. "This recognition means that we are moving in the right direction. While it is certainly satisfying to receive the preseason recognition, the most important thing is where we are at the end of the year."
