Feb. 7, 2012
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By Andrea Bejarano
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Skagit Valley College, located in Mount Vernon, Wash., and UCF have built an unlikely relationship over the years. UCF head coach Terry Rooney has kept in close contact with the coaching staff from the two-year college just 50 miles from the U.S.-Canada border. Since his arrival in 2008, Rooney has reeled in three Cardinals, with UCF's current transfers on the team being senior second baseman Travis Shreve and junior left-hander Jimmy Reed.
The relationship between Rooney and SVC assistant coach Darren Westergaard dates back to the fourth-year head coach's days on the staff at LSU.
"The connection with Skagit Valley College started about five years ago when I signed pitcher Ryan Verdugo at Skagit Valley to go to LSU," Rooney said. "It was a great draft pick and he's had a great career. Once I came to UCF, I kept the connection going."
Westergaard believes the connection with UCF will continue for years to come: "As long as we do our part, Rooney will be the first person I call."
In 2011, senior right-handed pitcher Alex Besaw was the first Skagit Valley graduate to complete his two years at UCF after coming out of the bullpen five times last year, totaling six innings while stifling batters to the tune of only three hits, four strikeouts and no runs allowed.
"When you recruit, whether it's high school or junior-college kids, you tend to go to places you have relationships with," Rooney said. "They know the type of players that you want and the type of kids that would be a good fit in all areas."
As for the 3,000-plus mile journey to Orlando, Reed, a native of Mount Vernon, Wash., is used to traveling across the state-- from eastern Washington to western Washington. He notes that it is quite different traveling across the country, but is glad he made the trek.
"Without the help of Darren Westergaard and [head coach] Ben Silva, there is no way I would have ended up coming to UCF." Reed said. "It was great for them to have the connection with coach Rooney."
Reed's credentials while attending Skagit Valley were quite impressive as he posted a 4-2 record with a 1.98 ERA, 16 saves and 71 strikeouts. His 16 saves and 38 relief appearances were both program records, and his late-inning experience will be counted on many times for the Knights in 2012.
With the 2012 squad's motto being "good to great," Westergaard knows that both Reed and Shreve will have no problem making that transition for the Knights due to their never-ending effort.
"Reed and Shreve's work ethic is outstanding. They are both usually the first guys there [on the field] and the last ones to leave," Westergaard said.
The Knights saw plenty of Shreve's strong work ethic in 2011 as he led the team with 22 stolen bases and nine sacrifice bunts. The Auburn, Wash., native's rock-solid defense in 60 games at second base aided UCF in achieving a program-best .978 fielding percentage.
"Rooney gives a lot of effort," Shreve said about the example that Rooney sets for his players. "He is the hardest working coach in the nation."
Reed, Shreve and the rest of the Knights will open the 2012 season Friday, Feb. 17, against Long Island at 6:30 p.m. Admission is FREE to the newly expanded UCF baseball complex.