Feb. 24, 2003
Truman Baseball Team Awaits Season Opener
Truman Preview: With two seasons under his belt, Bulldog head coach Lawrence Scully feels confident in his returning players' ability to lead the newcomers to back-to-back winning seasons.
Catching
Sophomore Mark Kirchhoff (Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge), a returning honorable mention all-MIAA selection, will be the starting catcher for the 'Dogs. As a freshman, Kirchoff split time behind the plate. Defensively, he has a strong arm and put out 73 runners last season, and will be counted on offensively as well after leading the team with a .330 batting average last year.
Freshman Mike Arway (Wildwood, Mo./Eureka-Rutgers University) is likely see some playing time too.
"Mike receives the ball very well," Scully explains. "He also calls the game well and understands our pitchers' strengths and weaknesses." Freshman Joe Vanzo (Taylor Springs, Ill./Hillsboro), while still learning how to catch at the college level, could also see some time behind the plate.
Infield
Senior Brian Walters (Bloomington Ill./Normal West), an all-MIAA selection, has retained the No. 1 spot at first base. In the field, Walters boasted a .984 fielding percentage, putting out 124 runners. At bat, Walters was the most feared 'Dog. He led the conference in home runs (10) and topped the team with a .661 slugging percentage. Walters moved up to third among Truman's career homerun leaders with 21 and ranks among Bulldog career leaders for at bats, hits, doubles, total bases and runs batted in.
Freshman Jon Peckron (Ballwin, Mo./Marquette) has secured a backup role at first base. At Marquette High School, Peckron led the conference in stolen bases, was a second-team all-conference selection and was picked for the Suburban West all-county team.
"He excels defensively", Scully said, "and is making great strides at the college level."
Jeff Sparks (Kirksville, Mo./Kirksville-Missouri-Columbia) is also an option at first base and will serve as a designated hitter.
Freshman Adam Davis (Fulton, Mo./Fulton) will fill in as the 'Dogs' second baseman. Davis left a mark while in high school as well, setting records for hits, triples and stolen bases and had a 20-game hitting streak. He was also a first-team all-conference and all-district selection.
"Davis has great speed, is athletic and a left-handed hitter, so he'll bring a lot to our game," explains Scully.
Backing up Davis will be freshman Neil Stransky (Mount Vernon, Iowa/Mount Vernon).
"Neil has a good bat with some surprising power," Scully said.
Team captain and senior Scott Theriault (Cary, Ill./Barrington) will start at short-stop. While he struggled at the plate last season, he has worked hard to get back the swing he had in 2001 when he concluded the season with a .333 batting average.
"Scott is a great reflection of what we want our program to be," Scully said. "He's a hard working athlete that gives his best every day."
Freshman Richard Whitehead (Festus, Mo./Festus-Merrimac C.C.) is likely to redshirt the 2003 season at the No. 6 position on the field.
Junior Jamie Wolf (Kirksville, Mo./Kirksville) has been moved to third base from the outfield. Wolf played third base in high school and spent time guarding the bag his freshman year.
"Wolf an athletic and talented player who will do extremely well at third base," Scully said. Freshman Andrew Pitts (Jefferson City, Mo./Helias) will also see time at third. As a senior, Pitts was named first-team all-district and first-team all-conference.
Outfield
Freshman Josh Rubin (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) looks to start in left field. Rubin was a first-team all-conference selection, played for Team Illinois in the Midwest Showcase and was selected as one of the top 20 players at the Florida Marlin's tryout camp.
"He can run, he can throw and he can hit - he's a well rounded player," Scully said.
Center field will be patrolled by junior Brad Miller (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North).
"Brad is excellent defensively and has worked hard in the off season to improve his bat," Scully said.
Behind Miller is sophomore Andrew Paul (Maryland Heights, Mo./Parkway North).
"Andrew has made strides hitting and is still one of the fastest players on the team," explained Scully.
Sophomore Patrick Hardin (St. Louis, Mo./Chaminade) will take position in right field. As a freshman, Hardin started in 37 games leading the team in at bats (137) and hits (43) and is one of the 'Dogs' more steady players. As a left-handed hitter, he will see action in the No. 2 hole at the plate.
Pitchers
Returning to the mound as the No.1 starter is right hander senior Paul Cornejo (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway North). Scully says he is looking forward to seeing Cornejo put together a nice senior year. Last season, he led the team in games started (11), lowest ERA (with at least 20 innings pitched, 4.76 ERA), innings pitched (56.1) and lowest batting average (with at least 75 at bats), and tied for complete games. He also left his mark on the career leaders list having started in 23 career games.
Sophomore lefty Coley Lewis (Chesterfield, Mo./Chaminade) looks to take the No. 2 spot. Last season, Lewis led the team in strikeouts (43), wins (four) and saves (2). Back from redshirting the season is junior Brant Kraner (Creve Coeur, Mo./Parkway North). Kraner has worked hard post surgery to earn himself a starting position.
Freshman Colin Spillenkothen (Chesterfield, Mo./Marquette) and junior Tony Jenkins (Marshfield, Mo./Missouri-Rolla) should also start some games. At Marquette right hander Spillenkothen was an honorable mention all-district performer. Last season, Jenkins started nine games and made 12 appearances for the 'Dogs.
Junior Matt Kupferle (Ballwin, Mo./Marquette) could also see some starts this season. Kupferle struggled a year ago with an arm injury, but looks to improve on his freshman season when he had a team high four saves while striking out 21 batters in just over 30 innings.
Out of the bullpen the 'Dogs will have several options, including several new faces to compliment the veterans. Senior David Brandt (Springfield, Mo./Kickapoo), junior Jesse Bohlmeyer (Centralia, Mo./Centralia), sophomores Scott Gaines (Shelbyville, Mo./North Shelby) and Matt Maxfield (St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran South) will add experience to the mound. Freshmen Rory Geissler (Eau Claire, Wisc./Regis), Justin Weinrich (Ballwin, Mo./Lutheran South), Dan Hillen (Elmhurst, Ill./Fenwick) and Denny Foster (Festus, Mo./Festus) will also see time on the mound.
Schedule
The Bulldogs will travel to O'Fallon, Mo., Feb. 28-Mar. 2, where they will face some stiff competition. They will face Kentucky Wesleyan and regional foe Quincy University (Ill.).
"Besides facing tough teams, the O'Fallon tournament will help get the program noticed, because a lot of recruits will be there," Scully explained.
With unpredictable weather, however, the 'Dogs' season might not open until the spring break, during which they will travel to Panama City, Fla. Once back from Florida, they will take on Rockhurst (Mo.), a team the 'Dogs have yet to defeat. Conference play begins Mar. 22 at home against Emporia and the 'Dogs will only face two non-conference teams after Emporia.