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Questions abound as Jaguars begin fall practices

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Ray Maldonado prepares to throw a pitch during a game last season. Finding a replacement for the Cuero product, who went 9-2 with a 2.54 ERA and 84 strikeouts in his senior year, is one of the main goals for Jaguars as they begin practices this week.
  • BY MIKE FORMAN - MFORMAN@VICAD.COM
  • Originally published October 18, 2009 at 6:03 p.m., updated October 19, 2009 at 12:30 a.m.

Terry Puhl would enjoy seeing former Houston Astros teammate Phil Garner get a second chance to manage the team.

Garner was interviewed by the Astros on Saturday as a possible replacement for Cecil Cooper, who was fired on Sept. 21.

Puhl will begin his third season as the head coach at the University of Houston-Victoria when the Jaguars begin fall practices Monday at Riverside Stadium.

Garner led the Astros to the World Series in 2005 and served as UHV's interim coach during the 2008 season when Puhl left to coach Team Canada in the Olympics.

"I think generally the progression is you go from UHV to the Astros," Puhl joked.

Puhl will be in a more serious mood as the Jaguars prepare for their third season of competition. UHV will have to replace most of the starters from a team that went 34-17 and advanced to the NAIA playoffs for the first time.

"Almost half the team is new," Puhl said. "This is the time when I get the hitters and build good habits in them."

Puhl and pitching coach Doug Heinold's first order of business will be finding starting pitchers to make up for the loss of Ray Maldonado and Austin Hitt, who combined for 19 wins last season.

Returnees Casey Newman, Bobby Gomez, Rex Garner and Darrel Stevens will vie for starting spots along with newcomers Daniel Lopez, a transfer from Texas-Pan American, and Pete Ontiveros, a transfer from Concordia University.

"We'll have about five of them competing for the spots," Puhl said. "From what I've seen we'll be in good hands."

Second baseman Michael Prestera, who missed much of last season with a knee injury, will return along with David Baker, Josh Bromberg and Josh Darnell.

"We'll be looking at a lot of players, very much so this year," Puhl said. "We may not be set for a while. I'll be looking for a player or two between now and Christmas."

The Jaguars will work out six days a week and will likely play a scrimmage against Alvin Community College before opening the season.

"It may take some time before I get them changed the way I want them to be," Puhl said. "This is where I do my hard work. The spring is just kind of the games. There is a lot of teaching and changing to be done in the next six weeks."


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Comments

  • jaguarfan jaguarfan Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Did Ray Maldonado sign Pro?...he was a great pitcher and would love to see him play in the minor leagues.
    Maybe Coach Garner will pick him up! Love the Jaguars and Astros!!!

    October 19, 2009 at 2:36 p.m.
  • YTDogs YTDogs Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    I'd like to see Terry manage them. Or, BGO.

    October 18, 2009 at 7:08 p.m.