Ready for redemption
Chris York
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Sports
The promise of spring is looming as baseball season begins this Saturday for the Gorillas.
PSU looks to end its five-year absence from the post-season in 2010. Pitt was picked to finish ninth in the MIAA preseason poll released on Jan. 29.
In 2009, the Gorillas struggled throughout the year, unable to get a good win streak of more than two games at a time. The Gorillas finished 15-38 in '09, but have a more experienced team heading into this year's campaign.
PSU will rely heavily on its All-MIAA utility player, senior Jason Murphy. Murphy had a solid junior season batting .280 on the year with 12 doubles, seven home runs and 28 RBIs. Several other veteran players will be looked at to lead the way, like senior outfielder Rhett Rigby. He started in 42 games last year hitting at a .289 clip and knocking in eight homers to lead the team in the long ball department.
Senior Zach Potter went .298 from the plate his junior season and also had an on-base percentage of .363 in 48 games. Junior infielder Taylor Sibala started in all 53 games last season, and his glove will be needed. Sibala did his best brick wall impersonation in '09 as he put up a gaudy .950 fielding percentage, participated in 31 double plays and accounted for only 11 errors in a 53-game season.
The Gorillas look to get tougher from the mound, as they have a trio of lanky lefties to give a nice option for the right hand dominant bullpen. Juniors Scott Brady and Nick Herrera each stand at 6-3 and Kansas City Kansas Community College transfer Tyler Link should intimidate with his 6-5, 220 lb. frame. The Gorillas will have 17 juniors this year, including junior college transfers, to complement six returning seniors. Head coach Steve Bever enters his 19th season as skipper for the Gorillas. As he stands with a 495-404-lifetime record, Bever is currently only five games shy of reaching his 500th career win at PSU.
PSU travels to Lawton, Okla., to play at noon Saturday, Feb. 6, and Sunday, Feb. 7, to begin the season against Cameron University, weather permitting. The Gorillas will play double-headers each day.
PSU looks to end its five-year absence from the post-season in 2010. Pitt was picked to finish ninth in the MIAA preseason poll released on Jan. 29.
In 2009, the Gorillas struggled throughout the year, unable to get a good win streak of more than two games at a time. The Gorillas finished 15-38 in '09, but have a more experienced team heading into this year's campaign.
PSU will rely heavily on its All-MIAA utility player, senior Jason Murphy. Murphy had a solid junior season batting .280 on the year with 12 doubles, seven home runs and 28 RBIs. Several other veteran players will be looked at to lead the way, like senior outfielder Rhett Rigby. He started in 42 games last year hitting at a .289 clip and knocking in eight homers to lead the team in the long ball department.
Senior Zach Potter went .298 from the plate his junior season and also had an on-base percentage of .363 in 48 games. Junior infielder Taylor Sibala started in all 53 games last season, and his glove will be needed. Sibala did his best brick wall impersonation in '09 as he put up a gaudy .950 fielding percentage, participated in 31 double plays and accounted for only 11 errors in a 53-game season.
The Gorillas look to get tougher from the mound, as they have a trio of lanky lefties to give a nice option for the right hand dominant bullpen. Juniors Scott Brady and Nick Herrera each stand at 6-3 and Kansas City Kansas Community College transfer Tyler Link should intimidate with his 6-5, 220 lb. frame. The Gorillas will have 17 juniors this year, including junior college transfers, to complement six returning seniors. Head coach Steve Bever enters his 19th season as skipper for the Gorillas. As he stands with a 495-404-lifetime record, Bever is currently only five games shy of reaching his 500th career win at PSU.
PSU travels to Lawton, Okla., to play at noon Saturday, Feb. 6, and Sunday, Feb. 7, to begin the season against Cameron University, weather permitting. The Gorillas will play double-headers each day.
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