STORRS, CT (December 8) -- Seniors Dave Tokarz (Seymour, CT), Mike James (Roswell, GA) and Mike Leonard (Vernon, CT) have been selected University of Connecticut baseball team captains for the upcoming 2004 season in a vote by their teammates.

A utility player, Tokarz hit at a career-high .333 clip in 2003, and his father John played for Connecticut from 1972-75. The ‘72 UConn squad finished with a record of 20-7 and advanced to the College World Series.

Mike James boasted a team-leading 2.93 ERA in 2003 as UConn’s closer. James saved 11 games last season and is currently UConn’s all-time saves leader with 22. Chris Hayes (‘90-’93) is second with six saves. James was named to the 2003 All-Northeast Region Second Team.

Catcher Mike Leonard earned mention on the All-BIG EAST Second Team after batting .294 and knocking in 29 runs in 2003. Leonard was solid behind the plate last season, committing only five errors and earning a fielding percentage of .982. Leonard, a career .311 hitter at UConn has 156 hits in his three years to go along with 12 home runs and 87 RBI’s.

Head coach Jim Penders comments on his team’s selection:

"I am very pleased with the players’ selection of their captains," said Penders. "Dave, Mike, and Mike all possess the leadership skills necessary to be very good captains. They are all well-rounded young men that have the respect of their teammates and good heads on their shoulders. They will have their hands full with such a young squad this season, and time will tell how well they handle this huge responsibility. I am confident they will be up to the task. I intend to rely upon them heavily in assisting the coaching staff with the implementation of our plan of getting better each day in every way. In so doing, they will be tremendous assets as we build toward our goal of competing for a Big East championship."