CORBIN ANNOUNCES BASEBALL COACHING STAFF 7/12/02

Head Coach Tim Corbin

Erik Bakich

Derek Johnson

Mike Holder

Vanderbilt baseball head coach Tim Corbin has announced his 2002-2003 coaching staff. Joining the new Commodore skipper will be Eric Bakich, Derek Johnson and Michael Holder.

Bakich was alongside Corbin last season at Clemson as a volunteer coach on Jack Leggett's Tiger coaching staff. Bakich will head Vanderbilt's recruiting efforts as well as instruct outfielders and hitters.

"Eric brings a lot to the program," Corbin said. "He is a high energy guy with a great knowledge of the game who loves to get on the road and recruit. When I began to put together a staff here it was important to get him on board."

Bakich joined Clemson prior to the 2002 season after working as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at East Carolina. A talented collegiate player at East Carolina, Bakich was a key member of Pirates' squads that won consecutive Colonial Athletic Association championships in 1999 and 2000. The two-year letterman earned All-CAA honors as an outfielder in 2000 after posting a .315 batting average with 14 home runs and 85 RBI. Bakich graduated from East Carolina in 2000 with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science.

Bakich started his collegiate career at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., where he lettered as a third baseman from 1997-1998. He took All-Conference and All-Northern California honors as a sophomore, batting .452.

Two years ago Bakich signed a professional contract with the Springfield Capitals of the Frontier League in the Independent Professional Baseball League. He played professional baseball into 2001 before taking the assistant strength coach position at East Carolina.

Corbin maintained the services of Johnson and Holder from the staff of former head coach Roy Mewbourne. Johnson, who came to Vanderbilt in the summer 2001, will continue his responsibilities as the Commodores' pitching coach. Including his four years as pitching coach at Stetson, Johnson has coached four pitchers to Freshmen All-American honors, including Vanderbilt left-hander Jeremy Sowers last season. At Stetson, he was instrumental in the success of two-time All-American Lenny DiNardio.

"I spoke to several people and they all liked Derek a great deal," Corbin said. " He has a great knowledge of pitching. Several pitchers have done very well under him and the players are very comfortable working with him. He also has several years of experience as a recruiter."

Holder, who joined the Commodore staff prior to the 2002 season, will continue to work with hitters and catchers. As an assistant coach at Middle Georgia College in 2001, he helped direct the team to the Junior College World Series and a No. 9 ranking in the final Junior College Division I poll.

"I've known Michael for some time," Corbin said. "He is a grinder, an extremely hard worker who understands the game."

Corbin was hired as Vanderbilt head coach on June 25.

-VU-