Southern Illinoise University Athletics
2001 Saluki Baseball
03/15/2001 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
February 1, 2001
Southern Illinois University Carbondale returns five position players that started games in 2000, but much of the preseason excitement in Carbondale surrounded the depth of the pitching staff for Coach Dan Callahan. Callahan's excitement has been tempered by the loss of three of his top five starters due to academics, which may have turned a Saluki strength into a question mark in 2001. The adjustment to the unexpected loss of 222.2 of 454.2 returning innings, 34 of all 56 starts, and 159 of 293 returning strikeouts, in addition to the game experience of three veterans, could be the determining factor of the Salukis success.
"The big key will be how well some of our pitchers make the adjustment to moving up in the rotation. It's quite obvious that we're going to miss guys like junior Jake Alley (6-5, 16 starts, 94 strikeouts, 101.1 innings, 3.73 era), and seniors Brendon Fort (5-6, 14 starts, 84 innings, 44 strikeouts, 6.32 era), and Charlie Reed (2-2, 4 starts, 21 strikeouts, 6.27 era), but at the same time, this will give some other guys an opportunity," said Callahan, Saluki head baseball coach. "My gut feeling is that we've got some guys that have enough ability, and hopefully several of them will step up and assume some of the quality innings that those three guys probably would have thrown."
Team ace Alley, Fort, and Reed will have to be replaced by junior Jason Westemeir (injured in 2000), and seniors Victor Hockett (1-2 in 6 starts, 33 innings), Josh Latimer (3-7 in 11 starts, 56.2 innings), Billy Hardin (2-4 record in 16 appearances, 44 innings), and Chad McCann (eight srikeouts, 7.1 innings). Sophomore Ryan Aird (0-1 in 17 appearances, 30 innings) and freshman Jerel Dietering (Auburn, Wash) , Bill Clayton (Chatham, Ill.), and Josh Joiner (Jonesboro, Ill.), although young, will probably be given the chance to pitch and pitch early in an effort to fill quality innings.
"There were times this fall when Westemeir and Aird pitched very well. Hockett, Hardin, and Latimer were inconsistent last season and somebody from this group needs to emerge and give us quality innings. We're hoping that senior Scott Lucht's experience as a set up man last season in front of Luke Nelson will carry over into this season," Callahan stated.
Lucht, 2-0 with a 2.00 era in 2000, is expected to provide stability as the Saluki closer. Lucht had a 0.82 era in Missouri Valley Conference games. Nelson, a closer in 2000 (5-1 in 14 appearances, five saves, 3.27 era, 22 strikeouts, 22 innings), will not be able to pitch at least the first half of 2001 due to off season arm surgery, which will place more pressure on the remaining returners to perform well. The Salukis will start the season with just ten pitchers, forcing coach Callahan to be very cognizant of their health and number of innings pitched.
While the pitching staff may be a concern, one of the team strengths will be the outfield. In rightfield, sophomore Sal Frisella returns as the anchor of the outfield. Frisella, a second team All-MVC and Freshman All-American honorable mention selection, led the team in slugging percentage (.500) and finished second in home runs (5). He finished the season as an offensive threat with a .307 batting average, fourth on the team. "Sal didn't start the season with a lot of innings, but he finished strong and proved that he belongs at this level," added Callahan.
Sophomore transfer Cory Newman (Illinois Valley C.C.) is a solid outfielder who can run down balls, is the top throwing outfielder, and a good aggressive runner on the bases. Sophomore Jason Rainey played sparingly last year, but is one of the Salukis best athletes, and will be in the mix for the third outfield spot. Junior transfer Justin Maurath (Mesa (Ariz.) C.C.) and senior Steve Mazzola will be battling for consistent playing time for the final outfield spot as well. Junior transfer Dustin Downs (Lincoln Land C.C.) and freshman Nick Baughman (Bloomington, Ill.) may also get time in the outfield, which will provide depth for the Salukis.
The infield will have four new starters, even though juniors Nelson and Jeff Stanek started at different infield positions last year. Nelson, who started 52 games, will move to third base after playing shortstop last season. Stanek, who started 31 games, will move to first base after playing third base in 2000. "Our whole infield is brand new. Both guys on the corners are playing new positions (due to off-season arm surgery), but they worked at those positions during the fall," said Callahan. Callahan will rely heavily on Nelson, who was fifth on the team with a .295 batting average and 34 runs batted in, and Stanek, who hit .265 with 20 runs batted in. Freshman Tom Cigno might add a little bit of versitility at the corner infield positions. He swung the bat well in the fall at times, but lacked consistency. His playing time may be dependent on the health of Nelson and Stanek.
The middle infield will be filled with newcomers and is somewhat up in the air as the season starts. Junior transfer Ryan Murray (San Joaquin Delta (Calif.) College) will probably be given the nod at shortstop to start the season and second base looks to be a platoon situation between junior transfer Dane Kerley (Shawnee C.C.) and freshman Greg Andrews (Peoria, Ill.). Senior Roman Schooley, the top returning hitter at .343, primarily as a designated hitter in 2000, may get some playing time at second base depending on how well he adjusts defensively. Recent junior transfer John Clems (Danville Area C.C.) biggest strength is his defensive ability and he may work his way into the infield at either position depending on how well he hits MVC pitching.
The catching duties will be manned by a newcomer in 2001. Junior transfer Scott Hankey (Treasure Valley (Idaho) C.C.) gets the nod, but will be pushed by recent sophomore transfer Joe Brilliant (Yavapai (Ariz.) College) for playing time. Freshman Roy Carter (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) will be the third catcher. "I think I like our catching situation with Hankey and Brilliant. We feel like they'll do a commendable job behind the plate," Callahan added.
With some adversity to overcome, Callahan will count on tri-captains Frisella, Nelson, and McCann to provide some additional leadership. "Frisella and Nelson are everyday players that aren't afraid to take charge, who we hope will speak up when something needs to be said," stated Callahan.
The key for SIU's 2001 season will be how quick the players adapts to their new positions and gel on the field as a unit, but more importantly, how well the members of the pitching staff handle a move up in the rotation and the additional innings.
"As far as expectations, we have a lot of questions and I just don't know what to expect at this time. I think early in the season we'll have a pretty good idea of where we are offensively, and maybe we'll see how some guys come around on defense, having new guys at various positions. In addition to pitching, we just have a lot of questions in all phases of the game," said Callahan.
