With Glenn Cook out after arthroscopic knee surgery and very questionable for the FSU game, Darryl Sharpton and Romeo Davis are battling for the first team MLB job.

And defensive coordinator Randy Shannon said this morning that, at least for now, Sharpton is winning that battle.

"If (the FSU game was right now) Darryl would have to be the starter," Shannon said.

Asked if it's hard to throw a redshirt freshman into the middle of the defense in a season-opener against a team like Florida State, Shannon said, "People try to get involved in it's Florida State or this or that. I tell guys every day, `Just worry about yourselves. You can't worry about other opponents. If you control what you do, everything will be easy."

Of Sharpton's play, Shannon said, "He's doing well mentally. He'll make a couple of mistakes here and there. But you have to coach them up, and Darryl will be fine."

Sharpton redshirted last year as a true freshman. He played a little on special teams before suffering an injury and being redshirted.

...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial