Feb. 14, 2008

Each Tuesday and Thursday leading up to UAB's first game of the season with Ball State on Feb. 22, UABsports.com will preview the 2008 Blazers. Today we take a look at the Blazer pitching staff and on Thursday, we sit down with UAB pitching coach Doug Kovash to take a deeper look at the Blazer arms.

Though the Blazers improved in nearly every statistical category on the mound in 2007, UAB head coach Brian Shoop is still looking to see improvements from his more experienced bullpen.

"Last year, we were 10-4 on Fridays, 7-7 on Saturdays and 3-11 on Sundays," Shoop said. "We have to improve on Sundays and in mid-week games and that is completely dependent on pitching depth and hopefully that has improved."

Eleven pitchers return from 2007 and five very capable new arms have been added to the mix. Expected to lead the Blazers on the mound again this season are senior Brandon Wallace and junior Mitch Kloskowski.

Kloskowski served as the team's primary Friday night starter in 2007, compiling a record of 5-5 with a 3.84 ERA and 52 strikeouts. Wallace appeared in 21 games last season, earning four saves with a 4.71 ERA and 24 strikeouts, while not giving up a single home run or triple.

"Mitch is our No. 1 guy again and I think you have to put Brandon as our No. 2 again," Shoop said. "They will both have a ton of innings in some capacity. There is still a lot of competition going on and there is a lot of uncertainty as to what everyone's roles will be."

Sophomore left-hander Shay Crawford is another returning starter looking to have another strong year. Crawford was voted to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team after earning four wins in 13 starts in 2007.

"Shay returns and he threw a lot as a freshman and threw really well at times and struggled at times," Shoop said. "He'll play a huge role again, we're just not sure if it will be as a starter or out of the pen."

Junior right-hander Kyle Roberson is back after making several mid-week starts in 2007. Roberson shined during fall training, leaving the Blazer coaching staff very optimistic about his 2008 campaign.

"Kyle had a great fall and was the most impressive to us so he is certainly going to get an opportunity to pitch and succeed," Shoop said.

Leading a large contingent of relievers is junior right-hander James Oliver who led the club with 22 relief appearances in 2007, earning one win and one save, while boasting a 4.20 ERA.

"James is exactly what you want in terms of character out on the mound," Shoop said. "When he fails, he immediately starts rooting for his teammates and he's just not blown away by failure, he's ready to get back out there. His arm strength has improved and he just has the right makeup for a pitcher."

Junior Beau Pender is a talented new right-hander who came to UAB from Gulf Coast (Fla.) Community College. A 45th round draft pick by the New York Mets in the 2006 MLB Draft, Pender has spent the past year recovering from an arm injury and will slowly get acclimated to being a front-line arm for the Blazers.

"Beau we signed to be a weekend guy before he got hurt," Shoop said. "We'll have to wait and see how his injury unfolds, but if he is healthy, then I think he's a legitimate weekend guy and I think that before it's all said and done he will be just that. He's got a power breaking ball and throws with a really nice angle."

Another talented newcomer is junior left-hander Johnny Volk who came to UAB from Allen County (Kan.) Community College where he was a first-team All-Jayhawk Conference selection.

"Johnny is really unorthodox and has a good arm from the left side and had a very good fall," Shoop said. "He could start or relieve so we'll have to wait and see what role is best for him, but I expect him to pitch a lot."

Two freshmen that are expected to provide solid depth on the mound are Blake Huddleston and Trey Vice, both of whom showed great promise in the fall. Huddleston was a Birmingham News All-State selection at Cullman High School in Cullman, Ala. and can also be used as a middle infielder. Vice had a stellar career at Westbrook Christian in Wellington, Ala. where he had a career ERA of 0.82.

"I think Blake and Trey will both be in the mix," Shoop said. "I think they will both be very good Division I players in time. Trey throws from the left and Blake has a late-sinking running fastball and there is a real place for that."

A trio of seniors in right-handers Dustin Colburn and Brandon Flaherty and left-hander Paul Jones are also expected to log a great deal of innings this season. Colburn earned three wins on the mound last season, while Flaherty made 21 relief appearances and held an ERA of 3.42. Jones saw limited action in 2007, logging 9.1 innings.

"Dustin pitched a lot last year and we are hoping for him to have a better year this season," Shoop said. "Paul is another left-hander who threw a ton of strikes in the fall which was a huge emphasis for us.

"Brandon had a good fall as well. He has a really good changeup and has improved it and gained confidence in it. He's a good athlete on the mound and can field his position really well."

Other arms looking to get time on the mound this season are sophomores Robert Brewster and Mikael Saway who are each trying to rebound from injury plagued seasons in 2007. Senior Rodney Wodson, junior Benji Waite, a transfer from Samford, and freshman Jeff Younger will also be vying for innings on the mound.