It’s reported below and in the Jan. 23 print edition of The Daily Reveille that outfielder Jarred Bogany batted .388 (19 for 49) with one homerun and 10 RBI’s during the fall 2006 intersquad games. These statistics were actually compiled during the 2005 intersquad games. The Daily Reveille apologizes for this mistake.
The LSU baseball team will be one man shy when it takes the field Feb. 9 after sophomore outfielder Jarred Bogany was granted a released from the team Monday.
Bogany, 20, will seek transfer to another university after just one season with the Tigers.
“Jarred didn’t want to be a part of our program,” LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri said. “We granted him a release, and he’s going to go somewhere else. I feel great about the guys we have as a part of our team, and I’m excited about seeing all of them play. I think we are going to do fine with the guys that we have.”
Bogany, a Houston native, saw action in 49 of LSU’s 59 games this past season. He finished the 2006 campaign with a .319 batting average (52 for 163), which included six doubles, 16 RBI and six stolen bases.
Bogany, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 15th round of the 2005 MLB Draft, was expected to compete for a starting outfield position after batting .388 (19 for 49), hitting one home run and driving in 10 RBI’s during LSU’s fall intersquad games.
“After fall practice and into the spring here ,Jarred had not secured a starting position, and I explained that to him,” Mainieri said. “I felt like there were other players that were playing better than him, so I’m sure he didn’t feel good about that situation. He did what he thought was best for him, and I wish him luck.”
Although sophomore infielder Buzzy Haydel would not comment on Bogany’s release or the possible impact his departure may have on the team, Haydel did say he enjoyed playing with the former LSU outfielder.
“I love Jarred,” Haydel said. “He was a great teammate, a great person and a good friend of mine. Whatever he wants to do with his life is definitely up to him. I think he’s a great ball player, and whatever he wants to do it’s his call, and I wish him the best of luck.”
Because Bogany was granted a release by Mainieri, he will not lose a year of eligibility if he chooses to play this season for another university, according to Mainieri.
This is the second LSU player since Mainieri’s hire to leave the team prior to opening day.
Senior pitcher Derik Olvey transferred to Arizona State University this past fall after compiling a 6-2 record and a 3.50 ERA this past season.
Mainieri said Bogany’s transfer will not affect the team negatively and said he is confident the remaining players can get the job done.
“It will have a positive impact on our team,” Mainieri said. “The guys that will be doing the playing and that are part of the program are excited about having a team that’s together and that’s all on the same page. Everybody is excited about achieving the same goals, and I think his release is a positive thing. If you have a player who doesn’t want to be part of the program, then you’re better off without him.”
Bogany was contacted but said it was too early early to say anything about his decision to transfer.
“It’s still up in the air right now,” Bogany said. “I don’t really know where I’m going just yet, but I am no longer going to be at LSU, and that’s all I can say right now.”
Junior pitcher Michael Bonura was also contacted but would not comment on Bogany’s release.
—–Contact Jay St. Pierre at [email protected]