Matt Hardy Swinging

Baseball

Baseball Hosts UCI for Senior Weekend

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – As the season comes to a conclusion this weekend, it will be a weekend of celebration for the seniors that have helped build the UC Riverside Baseball program. The Highlanders will take on the UC Irvine Anteaters in a three-game set that might determine if UCI has a chance to make the College World Series tournament.
 
Games
Beach Bash Weekend
UCI: Thursday, May 23 – 6:00 p.m. – UCR Tank Top
UCI: Friday, May 24 – 6:00 p.m. – Beach Rally Towel*
UCI: Saturday, May 25 – 1:00 p.m. – Senior Night – Sunglasses Giveaway*
 
**Giveaways are subject to change
 
Seniors
Dean Miller
Miller joined the Highlander family two seasons ago even after being drafted by the Atlanta Braves. He has done nothing but hit this season and is in contention for Big West Player of the Year. He's had a hit in 42 of the team's 53 games. He's also had at least 2 hits in 13 out of the last 20 games. Miller is currently second in the Big West in home runs with 14 and RBI with 48, second in slugging percentage at .663, fourth in batting average at .363, hits with 69 and seventh in runs with 44. The senior leads the team in batting average, runs, hits, total bases and is second in home runs, OBP. He has a slash line of .363/.402/.663.
 
Yeager Taylor
Taylor has been with the Highlanders for four seasons now and has been a steady cog in the machine as he's helped build the program. He's had a solid senior season for the Highlanders this season. He has a hitting slash line of .316/.354/.439 on the year. He's second on the team with 62 hits and 37 runs while leading the team in defensive putouts with 329 and is tied for the most triples with 2.
 
Matt Hardy
Hardy is another senior who has been with the team for four seasons. He has been a "do-it-all" piece for the team and has been a great teammate throughout his whole career. This season he has been the team's most productive hitter with runners in scoring position as he's batting a team best .405 in 37 opportunities. He's also been a clutch hitter as he's third on the team with 14 RBIs with 2 outs.
 
Jared Noonan
Noonan has been with the Highlanders for two seasons now and has been a key part of the team's bullpen. He is currently second on the team with three saves and has shown the ability to get outs in tough situations for the team. He's also third on the team with three wins and has been a reliable pitcher for Head Coach Troy Percival as he has made 23 appearances on the season so far.
 
Justin Mannens
Mannens is another Highlander that has been with the program for two years now and has continually shown the importance of putting the team first. He has been a jack-of-all-trades for Percival in the infield. In his first season at UCR, Mannens showed great poise at the plate as he batted .306 with 3 doubles and a triple in 21 games. This season, he has matured with his approach and shown strong patience at the plate as he has walked 12 times in 83 at-bats.
 
 
We are looking forward to celebrating these seniors this weekend for their last home series. It will be a great weekend full of baseball, laughs and hopefully some wins.

Players Mentioned

Matt Hardy

#36 Matt Hardy

OF/RHP
6' 6"
Senior
R/R
Justin Mannens

#4 Justin Mannens

MIF
5' 8"
Senior
S/R
Dean Miller

#20 Dean Miller

OF
6' 2"
Senior
R/R
Jared Noonan

#5 Jared Noonan

RHP
6' 1"
Senior
R/R
Yeager Taylor

#21 Yeager Taylor

INF/OF
6' 0"
Senior
L/R

Players Mentioned

Matt Hardy

#36 Matt Hardy

6' 6"
Senior
R/R
OF/RHP
Justin Mannens

#4 Justin Mannens

5' 8"
Senior
S/R
MIF
Dean Miller

#20 Dean Miller

6' 2"
Senior
R/R
OF
Jared Noonan

#5 Jared Noonan

6' 1"
Senior
R/R
RHP
Yeager Taylor

#21 Yeager Taylor

6' 0"
Senior
L/R
INF/OF