Oct. 20, 2011
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By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF Baseball team finds itself among the nation's elite once more in 2011. The Knights achieved their second top-25 recruiting class ranking this year when Baseball America slotted them No. 17 overall in the country.
With the loaded 2012 class, the Knights make a return to the Baseball America rankings after hauling in the No. 10 class in 2010.
"We are extremely pleased to be recognized as having the No. 17 recruiting class in the nation," head coach Terry Rooney said. "This is a reflection of the tremendous dedication and efforts of our assistant coaches and support staff. With the continued influx of some of the most talented players in the nation and upcoming stadium renovations, the future is bright as we continue our climb into the upper echelon of college baseball."
The Knights have flourished under Rooney, consistently finding themselves in the top-25 rankings by both Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball. The recent spike in talent has helped the program make a return to the national stage. Last year, the Knights competed in their first NCAA Tournament since 2004.
A total of five Major League draft picks highlight the 2011-12 UCF baseball signing class. Of the 13 players set to join the Knights this season, seven are pitchers, including four southpaws.
The newest members of the team have been making tremendous strides in fall camp that started last month. Practicing six days a week and taking part in crucial scrimmages, the fresh faces to the program have gotten acclimated to the winning attitude that surrounds UCF baseball.
As fall camp winds down, the Knights will take part in their annual three-game Black and Gold World Series next Wednesday-Friday at the baseball complex. First pitch for Games 1 and 2 will be at 3 p.m. Game 3 will begin at 6:30 with an entertaining gameday atmosphere for the primetime affair. Admission is free to all.