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Veteran infielders
strengthen team
By Drew Diener
The Battalion
T exas A&M returns an infield this season that in
cludes veteran players at key positions as well
as a host of young hopefuls.
"We're much better than we were last year/' head
coach Mark Johnson said. "Last season we were on
just a real thin string."
Johnson said that junior shortstop Robert Harris
will be the leader of the infield this season. Harris
started 60 games last season, hitting .325 with 12
home runs and 55 runs batted in on the way to earn
ing All-SWC honors.
Johnson said A&M's increased depth has solidified
the rest of the infield while creating several platoon
situations, most notably at second base and catcher.
True freshman Rich Petru and junior college trans
fer Tom Collard are currently battling for the majority
of time at second while senior Brian Johnson, junior
college transfer Billy Carroll, and freshman Tom Buch-
man are competing for the job behind the plate.
"We're very pleased that Buchman is on our
team," Johnson said. "I think he's got the chance to
be the guy."
At first base, junior John Curl returns to the lineup
after hitting .297 with seven home runs and 30 RBI
last season. Curl said he hopes to help lead the Aggies
to another SWC championship this season while im
proving his own game as well.
"I hit the weight room pretty good this fall," Curl
said. "I worked on my stroke, trying to stay with one
swing and I feel pretty good right now."
Sharing playing time with Curl at first will be ju
nior Brian Bittiker and redshirt freshman Jason
Stevenson. Bittiker was used primarily as a pinch hit
ter last season, batting .250 while collecting seven RBI
in just 60 at-bats. Johnson said that Stevenson, who is
moving to first from third base, is capable of putting
up big numbers on offense.
On the other side of the diamond, junior Lee Fe
dora is back at third base after hitting .342 with
eight homers and 48 RBI a year ago. He will be
challenged by sophomore Paul Barber, who missed
last season after injuring his ankle in a car accident.
If Barber returns to form, Fedora could see sometime
in leftfield.
"Paul or I will be there (third base) each game so I
don't think we'll lose a step either way," Fedora said.
"He's a good player, it's fortunate that he's able to
come back after that accident."
With a full slate of veterans returning and the addi
tion of highly-touted newcomers, the Aggie infield
hopes to lead the team back to the College World Se
ries this year.
Lee Fedora
Jr. - 1L
6-0 /188
Pos: 3rd base
College Station
(A&M Consolidated)
• Bats Left
• Throws Left
Billy Harlan
Sr. - 3L
5-10/180
Pos: LF
Corsicana
(High)
• Bats Right
• Throws Right
Robert Harris
Jr. - 2L
5-8/175
Pos: SS
Houston .
(Westbury)
• Bats Right
• Throws Right
C. Alexander
So. - 1L
6-1/196
Pos: CF
Lufkin
(High)
• Bats Right
• Throws Right
Trey Moore
Jr. - 2L
6-1/198
Pos: Pitcher
Keller
(High)
• Bats Left
• Throws Left
VJe’re much better than we were last year. Last sea