The Blazers head into the 2006 season hoping to improve on a 31-27 record from 2005. Larry Giangrosso (seventh season) looks to lead the Blazers to their fourth consecutive winning season, third consecutive Conference USA Tournament and maybe even further, the NCAA Tournament. The Blazers were picked to finish Seventh in the Conference USA Preseason Pole as picked by the C-USA Coaches.

2006 Roster:

Player: Number: Position: Year:

Phillip Bell, 4, Infielder, Sophomore
J.R. Bond, 9, Outfielder, Junior
Robert Brewster, 17, Infielder, Freshman
Kevin Cope, 3, Catcher, Freshman
Torrey Croft, 26, Catcher, TR Junior
John Wayne Donahue, 21, Outfielder, TR Junior
Jorge Gutierrez, 1, Infielder, TR Junior
Brett Hall, 2, Infielder, Sophomore
Ryan Keedy, 25, Infielder, TR Junior
Billy Lichtner, 33, Infielder, Sophomore
Ryne Lovdahl, 23, Infielder, TR Junior
Ryan Metcalf, 7, Infielder, Senior
Donny Muth, 11, Catcher, RS Sophomore
Levi Patmon, 6, Outfielder, Junior
Danny Sawyer, 42, Catcher, TR Junior
Steven Turner, 16, Outfielder, TR Senior
Zac Ward, 15, Infielder, Junior

Grant Addison, 31, RHP, Junior
Jim Crew, 37, RHP, Sophomore
Kasey Croft, 28, RHP, TR Junior
Brandon Flaherty, 20, RHP, Sophomore
Derek Hanks, 34, RHP, Freshman
Mitch Kloslowski, 38, RHP, Freshman
Jacob Legg, 10, Outfielder/LHP, Senior
Chandler Miller, 30, RHP, Senior
Randy Mills, 35, RHP, Senior
Drew Murray, 39, RHP, Freshman
Lyle Northington, 14, LHP, Senior
Kyle Roberson, 40, RHP, Freshman
Mikael Saway, 36, RHP/Outfielder, Freshman
Ben Styes, 27, RHP, TR Sophomore
Heath Tapscott, 24, RHP, Sophomore
Mitch Thorn, 19, RHP, TR Junior
Allen West, 43, RHP, Senior

Expectations:

The Blazers return 16 letterwinners from last years team that finished the season 31-27. In the field and at the plate the team should rely on returning starters Ryan Metcalf, Zac Ward and J.R. Bond, plus the team could also see Phillip Bell, Brett Hall, Levi Patmon and transfer Jorge Guitierrez contribute plenty this season. The weakness for UAB could be off the mound where the team does not return a proven starter capable of leading the team. So..the team will look for a few players to step up and produce, if they expect to win games. This could come from the arms of Heath Tapscott, Randy Mills, Brandon Flaherty or Jim Crew. UAB has a few question marks entering the 2006 season, especially in the rotation, so..if these questions can be met then…maybe…UAB could play spoiler to the hopes of one of the top three teams.