Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewa Baseball Readies for Season Opener
2/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 23, 2004
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MOUNT PLEASANT -- With a couple of feet of snow on the ground, it may not seem like baseball season.
However, for Central Michigan University, it all gets going this weekend with a three-game set at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tenn. Single, nine-inning games are slated for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Coming off an injury-plagued season that saw the Chippewas post a 25-28 record, CMU head coach Steve Jaksa is looking forward to the 2004 campaign.
"We've done everything we can do inside, so now we're excited to get outside and start playing games," Jaksa said. "We're right where we wanted to be at this point in our preseason."
While it will be the opening weekend for the Chippewas, East Tennessee State has already played nine games and sports a 4-5 record. The Buccaneers are fresh from a four-game home sweep of Xavier by the scores of 4-3, 6-1, 4-3 and 10-6.
East Tennessee State opened its season by losing three games at South Florida and two more at Georgia. CMU didn't even start practice until Feb. 3.
"We'll have 20 practices in before going to East Tennessee State," Jaksa said. "Our pitchers are progressing nicely and I think our defense will be greatly improved.
"We need to get these games in before we head out on our bigger spring trip. We'll try to do something like this every year. Instead of playing a bunch of games in a row on a spring trip, we'll now play a series and then come back home and work on areas of concern."
CMU is slated to play eight games in Utah and Nevada from March 6-14.
Jaksa indicated that he'd start senior right-hander Jeff Opalewski (2-2, 5.66 in 2003), redshirt freshman left-hander Jayson Ruhlman and sophomore right-hander Ty Dunham (2-5, 6.91) against the Buccaneers.
The Chippewas will make their first two trips with a travel squad of 30 which will give Jaksa the maximum flexibility to try many combinations.
CMU plays its first 21 games on the road before entertaining Wayne State on March 30 at 2 p.m.
Checking the Chippewas
CMU returns 18 lettermen from 2003 while losing eight. The Chippewas return six position players and 10 of 12 pitchers.
Despite losing three of its top starting pitchers (two before the season started), CMU went into the final week of the regular season with a chance for a .500 season and a shot at making the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
After opening with a 9-4 win at Northern Illinois, the Chippewas then lost three straight to the Huskies by scores of 9-7, 11-10 and 3-2.
Injury Bug ReturnsCMU will open the 2004 campaign with one veteran player already on the shelf for the season -- junior catcher Keith Sampsell with an elbow injury. He played in just 12 games a year ago because of illness and injury but did hit .288 with seven homers and 33 RBI as a redshirt freshman in 2002.
His absence opens the door for a battle for the backup slot between junior Derek Schaller and incoming freshman Brad Foutch. The returning starting catcher is Brian Campbell.
Infield VersatilityAfter fielding just .948 and allowing 170 unearned runs in 2003, defense has been a point of emphasis for the Chippewas.
The addition of junior college transfer Ryan Peel will help considerably as he can play short or third. Sophomore Chase Welker made just nine errors at short last season and fielded .962. Junior David Latour Jr., returns at second.
The Chippewas will have a new first baseman in junior college transfer Kurtis Wells who'll take the place of record-setting graduate Mike Gates.
Junior Jeff LaFavors Jr., played third a year ago and could see action at second while junior Jim Geldhof could play third if he's not in the outfield and redshirt freshman Adam Lipski is a candidate at second or third.
In the outfieldCMU has some versatility and decisions to make in the outfield where J.T. Jones and Geldhof saw considerable action in 2003.
Junior college transfer Jeremy Crum or Jones will start in center while Bryan Mitzel will work in right as well as first base. Sophomore Brian Lautzenheiser, redshirt freshman Eric Cannon, true freshman Derrick Walker and Geldhof will battle for playing time in left field.
Solid at the DHSenior Dan Griesbaum Jr., will handle DH chores much of the time after hitting .324 with 27 RBI in 2003.
