MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama baseball team will hold a six-inning intrasquad game during its first official spring practice Friday afternoon at  3:15 p.m. at Stanky Field.

The Jaguars return 10 letterwinners, one redshirt and welcome 24 newcomers to the spring roster for head coach Mark Calvi’s first season at the helm.

“There are still a few (starting) jobs out there that need to be earned,” Calvi said. “I think the biggest thing is figuring out our pitching rotation. We return six to seven wins on the mound, so we just have to slot guys where we see them best helping the team and see how they perform.”

USA will have three weeks of preseason preparation before it hosts College of Charleston – ranked 32nd in Collegiate Baseball’s preseason poll – in a three-game set at Stanky Field, Feb. 17-19, to open the season.

“The work done from the time fall practice ended up until now was extremely productive,” Calvi said. “The players did an outstanding job embracing the coaches, and the coaches did a great job embracing the players. There was more attention this time of year than any time I can remember, because everyone is so new. But I thought the time was used as well as you can possibly use it. From a preparation standpoint for things you can’t manufacture – pitching and defense – that’s where we have put in the most time.”

First baseman Brad Hook returns for his senior season after hitting .328 with 13 doubles, seven home runs and 41 RBI last season. Hook also provides solid defense at one corner for the Jags, having committed just one error in nearly 500 chances a year ago.

Nolan Earley returns in right field for his junior season after a breakout year in 2011 when he hit .330 with 20 doubles, two home runs and 40 RBI.

Logan Kirkland, a Freshman All-American in 2011, returns for his sophomore season that should see him make the transition from shortstop to second base. Kirkland recorded a 21-game hitting streak last year – the longest by any Jaguar since 2003.

Jordan Patterson also returns for his sophomore campaign after spending the summer in the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League. Patterson batted .284 with 11 doubles, four homers and 32 RBI in 57 games last season.

A pair of seniors, Phillip Byrd and Jarrett Bailey, return on the mound along with sophomore Collin Blankenship. Byrd led South Alabama with a 2.55 ERA last season, and went 2-0 with a save in 18 appearances. The left-hander limited the opposition to a .190 batting average, and enters his senior season with 74 appearances – just 13 shy of breaking Mike Zimmerman’s school record of 86 career appearances.

South Alabama will kick off the 2012 season against College of Charleston Fri., Feb. 17, at 6:30 p.m.

“I feel great,” Calvi said of his feelings as his first collegiate game as a head coach approaches. “This is probably the hardest-working group of guys that I have ever been around in nearly 20 years. We have some good problems on this team. You could have a junior college All-American or a guy who has been drafted before sitting on the bench one particular game, but that’s a good problem to have. I think these kids have the character, makeup and are old enough where they will handle themselves in the correct way. But I’m excited and so are the kids, and I am really looking forward to it.”

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).