Jan. 30, 2007

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Tulane University baseball team unofficially kicks off the 2007 season on Saturday, Feb. 3, when the Green Wave host the seventh annual Alumni Game at Zephyr Field.

The day's festivities begin at 11:30 a.m. with the Old-Timer's Game, and the 2007 team will battle players from the Green Wave's past College World Series teams and professional players starting at 2 p.m. In between games, all alumni game participants and the 2007 team will be formally introduced to the crowd. Admission to the Old-Timer's Game is free, but after noon, admission will be charged.

"This is always a fun weekend for us," Tulane head coach Rick Jones said. "We've got so many former players now who are in high levels of pro baseball, so like many years, this may be the best team we play all year. It's also fun to watch the older guys get together, play and enjoy being back together on the field. Saturday is a chance for them to get to know the current team and it will be an enjoyable day of fellowship among players of all ages."

The Green Wave are 4-2 in alumni games, including last season's 10-5 loss to the former Green Wave greats. The alumni team will once again be stacked with talent as several former All-Americans and high Major League Draft picks dot the roster.

Among those expected to play on Saturday are Major Leaguers Andy Cannizaro (New York Yankees) and Tony Giarratano (Detroit Tigers), former Major Leaguer Jack Cressend, and 2006 Arizona Diamondbacks Minor League Player of the Year Micah Owings. Also highlighting the alumni roster are MLB No. 1 draft picks Jake Gautreau (2001) and Brian Bogusevic (2005) and former Conference USA Players of the Year Mark Hamilton (2006) and James Jurries (2002).

In addition, mid-80s slugger All-Americans Dan Wagner (1983-86) and Emmanuel "Tookie" Spann (1985-88) will be back on the field together. The dynamic duo were teammates for two seasons when the helped Tulane post a combined 87 wins and set a Green Wave single-season record (since broken) by going 49-15 in 1986.

The '86 team was the first Green Wave squad to advance to an NCAA Regional Championship contest and set an NCAA postseason record along with way with 51 total bases on 23 hits in a 16-6 win over Western Kentucky at the NCAA South I Regional in Baton Rouge, La.

The 2007 Tulane team, meanwhile, returns 23 lettermen, including eight starters, from last year's team and adds 10 newcomers from the 2006 squad which went 43-21, earned a ninth straight berth into the NCAA postseason and advanced to the Regional Championship Game for the third straight year.

Of the returning players, the Green Wave bring back two of its weekend starters (Sean Morgan and Brandon Gomes) on the mound as well as its set-up man (Trey Martin) and closer (Latham). From a position standpoint, Tulane will welcome back six starters: second baseman Brad Emaus, shortstop Cat Everett, outfielder Warren McFadden, designated hitter Tim Guidry and catcher Ty Wallace.

The list of new faces consists of two transfers and eight true freshmen. Sophomore right-hander Shooter Hunt comes to Tulane via University of Virginia, and spent this past summer in the Cape Cod League where he was named the No. 9 prospect in the summer league by Baseball America. Sophomore catcher Jared Dyer from San Jacinto College-North is the other transfer.

Rounding out the freshman class are utility athlete Preston Claiborne (Dallas, Texas/Newman Smith HS), southpaws Hunter Johnson (Bellaire, Texas/Bellaire HS) and Aaron Loup (Luling, La./Hahnville HS), right-handed pitchers Taylor Rogers (Round Rock, Texas/McNeil HS) and Drew Zizinia (Bellaire, Texas/Bellaire HS), outfielders Jay Ackal (Mandeville, La./St. Paul's School) and Ryan Scott (New Orleans, La./Archbishop Rummel HS), and catcher Andrew Robinson (Gonzales, La./East Ascension HS).

Any Green Wave alumni wishing to participate in the Alumni Game festivities should contact Jeff Edwards, baseball administrative assistant at (504) 862-8216 or via e-mail at jedwards2@tulane.edu.

Following Saturday's Alumni Game, the Green Wave open the regular season on Friday, Feb. 8, when they play host to Southeastern Louisiana at 6:30 p.m. at Zephyr Field. Season tickets for Tulane baseball are now for sale through the Tulane Athletics Ticket Office and can be picked up in person on the first floor of the James W. Wilson, Jr. Center, via the internet at www.TulaneGreenWave.com or over the phone at 504-861-WAVE.

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