Baseball Wraps Up Fall Practice
10/16/2002 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
Oct. 16, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - Following its most successful season in 12 years, the Southern Illinois University baseball team recently concluded its fall practice. The Salukis, who started their preparation for the 2003 season five weeks ago, had a solid fall term, according to head coach Dan Callahan.
"This fall I thought the attitude and work ethic of the team was good," said Callahan. "I felt that the intrasquad games were not only competitive, but spirited as well. Overall, I would classify it as a successful fall."
Although there were days where pitching overshadowed the hitting and hitting overshadowed the pitching, Callahan was most impressed with the team's defense.
"I think the one constant this fall was that we were pretty good on defense, which we ought to be," stated Callahan. "For the most part, we have our outfield in tact. We have our starting shortstop (P.J. Finigan) and second baseman (Greg Andrews) returning, and I don't think we're going to lose a lot at third base. I think first base will be up for grabs as far as who's going to play, but we'll have some options."
And options is what the Saluki coaching staff will have this spring, thanks to some freshmen and junior college transfers who proved that they can warrant playing time as well.
"Nathan Emrick (Griggsville, Ill.) and Josh Markle (Longmont, Colo.) swung the bat extremely well and will vye for playing time," added Callahan. "Brendan Lutz (Ingleside, Ill.) proved that he belongs here defensively. He's got a ways to go with the bat, but he held his own behind the plate and that was a heckuva adjustment considering he came in here and all the sudden had to face a 14-15 man pitching staff."
"If we had to pick one player who maybe improved the most over the course of the fall, it might have been Matt Brewer (Springfield, Ill.)," continued Callahan. "He also has a way to go at the plate, but I think it's a situation where he's going to battle for some playing time in the outfield. On the mound, I thought Tyler Norrick (Festus, Mo.) and Adam Snyder (Pittsburgh, Pa.) held their own too. Additionally, Eric Alvarez (Miami, Fla.) proved that he's talented enough to swing the bat as a freshman."
Along with the solid new talent, returning veterans Cory Newman (Ottawa, Ill.), Sal Frisella (St. Louis, Mo.), Ross Kowzan (DuQuoin, Ill.) and 2002 MVC Newcomer of the Year Toby Barnett (Kallaroo, W. Australia) help give the Salukis the right offensive and defensive combination Callahan expects.
"I can't say that any one facet of the game stands out more than any other heading into the spring," explained Callahan. "I'm hoping we've got some good balance. We'll have some question marks as far as who's going to play day in and day out, but think we'll be a pretty good club on defense. I think we have the capabilities of being just as good on defense as last year and I'd like to see us turn the corner a little bit more on the offensive side. We're hoping guys like Cory, Sal, Ross and Toby, guys in the top half of our order, pick up the slack at the plate and cut down on their strikeouts to provide more offense."
SIU's five-week fall camp consisted of lifting and conditioning in addition to its everyday practice routine. The first week was run like a mini-spring training. As the fall progressed, each day consisted of individual work, positional work and team work. The team also played occasional intrasquad games.
The Salukis will open their 2003 season with a three-game series at Centenary beginning Friday, Feb. 14 (7 p.m.).