Baseball Eager to Begin Year

January 30, 2009

WEATHERFORD, Okla. - The Southwestern Oklahoma State University baseball team has its eyes on a season that is expecting to feature a marked improvement from that of last year. SWOSU coach Scott Selby has recruited a number of new players that are expected to rapidly elevate the Bulldogs fortunes from a team that finished 12-36 in his first year with the program.

"I think the players who we have back are really hungry because of how the (2007) year went overall," Selby said. "We learned we have to do a better job at finishing games and not let up just because we get ahead.  This time we plan to close the door. "

Selby kept with him a small but seasoned core of players who with addition of 24 newcomers promise to be a fun and exciting group to watch.

"It will be interesting to see how quickly the young players develop and see how the fast the team comes together," Selby said. "The big thing is our young players need to understand the team concept and work hard each day in practice," Selby said. "If that happens, you will see the results not only on the field but more importantly on the scoreboard."

The extra competitiveness on the practice and playing field should likely make for even better seasons from those Bulldogs who have experience playing in the rugged Lone Star Conference. SWOSU has back outfielders Chris Morrison, Kenny Hare and Bow Buckner along with pitchers Adam Phillips, Max Grocki and Ty Pool plus infielder Nelson Espinal.

Morrison is the star of the group as he finished the year hitting .407 with 14 RBI's and a team-leading five home runs despite not hitting in the lineup until the final half of the season. Morrison will continue to be used as a pitcher when not playing in the field. On the mound he has been outstanding winning a combined 10 games in the last two years while keeping his ERA around 6.50.

Both Hare and Buckner will again look to secure starting spots after a strong finish last year. Hare tied a team record for most triples in a season with seven and Buckner raised his batting average more than 25 points during the final two weeks. Newcomers Morgan Marr and Blake Mounce, both players with successful junior college careers, will also be in the mix for heavy playing time in the outfield.

Espinal is the lone returner on the infield that promises to be more skillful and versatile than in years past. He started 44 games as a true freshman and developed as a dependable shortstop both in the field and at the plate over the season.
Other infield positions are expected to be held down by newcomers Tyler Powel at first base, Richard Kirby at third base and Ryan Salsbury at second base. All three have the potential to play various positions and will give the Bulldogs a different look around the diamond.

Catcher will have a new face with Jon-Andrew Martin, a transfer from Murray State, getting the first look at the important position. Martin has a well-earned reputation as being a clutch hitter and someone who can often drive in runs.

Pitching is where the Bulldogs hope to make the most improvement.  Morrison leads a group of hard throwers that have worked to develop better location and tempo with their pitches. Phillips, Grocki and Pool have all have had big efforts for the Bulldogs in the past. They will try to add an extra level of consistency that will most certainly improve their effectiveness.

The most noticeable difference in the pitching staff will be in simple numbers. A total of 15 players are expected to see action on the mound this year for the Bulldogs which is far more than a year ago. Last year, the Bulldogs used only eight pitchers, which included the team's only left hander --  a student athletic trainer that was brought in at midseason.

"We got options and we got depth, two things we didn't have last year," Selby said. "Each pitcher has come from a successful program. They want the ball in their hand when it comes to crunch time and are not afraid to battle on the mound. That's something we want to see."

SWOSU will again face an always challenging slate of Lone Star Conference teams, including several teams that have made recent appearances in the NCAA Division II Postseason play. SWOSU was picked 10th in a pre-season poll of league coaches and media representatives while Abilene Christian was the overwhelming choice at the top.

"I think most of the teams are in the same boat as us," Selby said. "A lot of us have a bunch of different players. We're not to sure how they will perform over the long season. I really believe that on any given day, any team in our league can beat any other. We saw that happen last year, and I expect it to happen again this time. We just need to be ready to step up and make the one or two plays that win ball games. We do that and the results will take care of themselves."

SWOSU opens the season Feb. 1 with a two-day, four-game set at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. The Bulldogs will open the home season Saturday, Feb. 7 against Mid American Christian University with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.