Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewa Baseball Aims to Improve
3/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 9, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Steve Jaksa learned a lot about his 2003 Central Michigan University baseball team during its spring trip to Florida last week.
Now, he needs to get the Chippewas back to work to iron out the kinks.
"We learned quite a bit about a number of different players," said CMU's head coach. "We got to mix our veterans with younger players. We just have to keep on getting better.
"We started off the trip hitting the ball well, and we finished it pitching pretty well. We didn't get it together, though. We need more consistency, and that's what we'll be working on."
CMU finished its trip with a 2-5 record, posting wins over South Florida (12-9) and Michigan State (9-2). The Chippewas lost two games to rain.
"That hurt as much as anything," Jaksa said. "We needed more games and more innings. We had a couple of pitchers just get one chance. We have to keep our heads up and remain focused. Our work ethic has been excellent.
CMU will return to action this Saturday and Sunday with a three-game series at Southern Illinois University. There's a doubleheader slated for Saturday and a single game for Sunday -- both set for noon starts.
One of the big concerns is pitching. The Chippewas, using 12 pitchers in the seven games, allowed 10 or more runs on four occasions and finished with an ERA of 8.39.
Senior right-hander Jeff Garner had the performance of the week with seven innings of two-hit ball in the win over Michigan State. He fanned 14 in seven innings and picked up the win.
However, he aggravated an elbow injury and may not be able to pitch at SIU.
Another solid effort was turned in by junior right-hander David LeMieux in relief in the win over USF. He hurled five innings, allowing four hits and one earned run to pick up the win.
Even in a 2-1 loss to Eastern Illinois in the final game of the trip, Jaksa got solid pitching from redshirt freshman right-hander Ty Dunham (five innings, three hits, and two runs) and senior lefty Joey Fahndrich (three innings, three hits, and no runs).
The Chippewas didn't hit well, either, finishing with a team batting average of .227. Freshman Brian Campbell (.333), senior Ryan Krueger (.323), sophomore David Latour Jr. (.318), and senior Tommy Grubb (.310) were the best CMU hitters.
Injuries hurt here, as well. Sophomore catcher Keith Sampsell missed the middle five games with a thumb injury and true freshman Bryan Mitzel sustained a knee injury shortly after slugging a three-run homer in his second career at-bat. He did not play the remainder of the trip.
"Those injuries certainly hurt," said Jaksa. "They're two power-hitters from the right side, and we were missing some power."
One thing that CMU did on the trip was solidify its infield.
With senior Mike Gates anchoring first, the Chippewas have a trio of youngsters manning the other three slots. Latour played second, short, and third while sophomore Jeff LaFavors played second and third and true freshman Chase Welker has established himself at short. Senior Tim Groves showed his versatility by playing left, third, and catcher.
CMU's fielding percentage of .933 is misleading when you consider six errors were by the pitching staff. The rest of the team fielded .953.
"As we continue to pitch better, we'll be in more games and I think this team will start to come around," Jaksa said. As to a starting rotation for the SIU series, Jaksa was unsure. If Garner can't go, Dunham, LeMieux, and Fahndrich may all get starts against the Salukis.
Following the weekend in Carbondale, CMU will play four games in Indiana. First up is a Thursday, March 20, game at IPFW. The Chippewas will then meet Western Michigan, Butler, and host Butler in the Butler Classic on March 21-23 in Indianapolis.
