Feb. 9, 2011
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Continuing to breakdown every position, part two of UCFAthletics.com's season preview of the 2011 UCF baseball team details first base, and both Knights should see plenty of time this year.
First Basemen
-Sr. Jonathan Griffin - Home Run Derby winner in the Valley Summer League, hit 13 HR with the Knights last year
-RSo. D.J. Hicks - Earned a medical redshirt in 2010, will be the DH and come out of the bullpen in 2011, hit .301 as a true freshman
There is a lot of power among these two Knights. And they compliment each other very well as Griffin is a righty and Hicks is a lefty. Griffin had a very impressive summer where he was on the All-Valley League First Team and won the league's annual home run derby. That came as no surprise as he ended the 2010 campaign with the Knights with a .344 average and eight dingers in his final 23 games.
Hicks found a rhythm at the end of his freshman season in 2009 only to suffer a setback last year. Receiving a medical redshirt, he will resume his role as the designated hitter and relief pitcher that suited him well two years ago. Hicks went .301 at the dish with eight homers as a freshman, and on the mound he totaled four wins and three saves in 51.2 innings.
Opening Day is quickly approaching, as the Black and Gold will host Siena Friday, Feb. 18, at 6:30 p.m. in game one of a three-game weekend series. Season and single-game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (407) 823-1000 or by visiting UCFAthletics.com's Tickets section.