Schoenrock makes pitch for hiring new assistant

As he recruits this summer for his American Athletic Conference baseball team, University of Memphis baseball coach Daron Schoenrock won’t limit his search to prospective pitchers and position players.

Schoenrock will have to find a new pitching coach too.

Fred Corral, who spent the past four seasons at the U of M, recently accepted an offer to become pitching coach at the University of Georgia. Corral, a former University of Tennessee assistant, will be returning to the Southeastern Conference, where he served on the Volunteers staff from 2003 to ’04 and 2008 to ’09.

“I’m happy for Fred, it’s a great opportunity,” Schoenrock said. “He did a great job for us. I really felt we were fortunate to keep him for four years.”

During his stint at the U of M, Corral was instrumental in developing several Tiger starters, including right-hander Dan Langfield and left-handers Sam Moll and Erik Schoenrock, Daron’s son. Langfield was a third-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, while Moll went in the third round (to Colorado) and Schoenrock in the 11th round (to San Diego) in last month’s draft.

Daron Schoenrock, also a former Georgia pitching coach, called Corral’s return to the SEC “a good move for him.”

Schoenrock said he expects to begin the interview process for Corral’s replacement next week.

“I do have some guys in mind,” Schoenrock said. “Whoever comes in is going to have to rebuild the rotation after (losing Moll and Erik Schoenrock). I think we’ll attract some candidates with a high amount of experience.”

The Tigers posted a 3.05 team earned-run average this year, the lowest ERA in 37 years.

Three of Corral’s four pitching staffs recorded 400 or more strikeouts, including a record 462 in 2010.

Under Corral’s tutelage, Erik Schoenrock became the first player in school history to earn Conference USA Pitcher of the Year honors, an award he won after this season. Moll, a first-team All- CUSA selection, became the school’s second-highest draft pick (for a pitcher) and third-highest overall behind Dave Anderson (first round) and Chad Harville (second round). Moll went 9-3 with a 2.30 ERA.

Corral, 47, said he was appreciative of his time at the U of M, but added “it’s time for a new chapter in my life and returning to the SEC is a goal fulfilled.”