Bulls Pitching Coach Takes Position at Houston Baptist University
Published on August 26, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
Durham, NC - The Durham Bulls today announced pitching coach Xavier Hernandez has accepted the position of assistant baseball coach with Houston Baptist University. Hernandez has served as pitching coach for the Bulls since 2007, a run which has included four division titles, a Governors' Cup and a National Championship.
"It's been a great run with the Tampa Bay Organization and here with the Durham Bulls," Hernandez said after Wednesday's loss to the Norfolk Tides, "While I'm somewhat saddened to be leaving, I'm very excited as are my wife and four children since I'm going back home and still doing what I love to do, coaching baseball. I'll get to spend a lot more time with my family."
Hernandez's pitching staffs in Durham have generally been among the best in the International League. This season, the team leads the league in ERA (3.45), shutouts (14), fewest hits allowed (1084), fewest runs allowed (496) and fewest home runs (92). The club is third in strikeouts with 969. In his time he has developed young major league stars such as Jeff Niemann, David Price, Andy Sonnanstine and Jeremy Hellickson.
Hernandez, who will join the staff after the Bulls' season ends, was an assistant coach with the Huskies from 1999-2001 before joining the Tampa Bay staff. He earned bachelor's degrees in psychology and sociology from HBU.
HBU Head Baseball Coach Jared Moon is happy to have Hernandez back at his alma mater.
"We are excited to have someone with so much experience and so much knowledge join our team," Moon said, "Xavier brings a wealth of experience as a professional player and coach, and brings instant credibility to our pitching staff. More importantly he knows HBU and knows what kind of student-athletes we are looking for."
Hernandez and his wife, Deborah, reside in Sugar Land, TX along with their four children.
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