Tartans in the outfield
By SANDY WILLIAMS
February 23, 2005
As the weather alternates between 6 and 60 degrees, we can only hope that winter is ending and spring is right around the corner. The coming of spring can mean only one thing: the start of the Spring 2005 Baseball Club season.
After ending the fall season with a doubleheader win against Robert Morris University, the team is hopeful to continue winning under the direction of its President, Kevin Cohn, and the leadership of Assistant Coach Dan Green and Team Captain Matt Corbett.
The team's schedule for this season includes nine away games against local opponents on five dates: Sunday, March 13 vs. C.C.A.C. South; Sunday, April 3 vs. Franciscan University; Saturday, April 16 vs. Robert Morris University; April 24 vs. Franciscan University; and April 28 vs. C.C.A.C. Boyce. In addition, the team is excited to travel to New York on March 25 to battle New York University. The Tartans swept a doubleheader in their last encounter with the NYU Violets in the spring of 2003, and this year the Tartans are gunning for a repeat.
The team is a young one, with more than half its players freshmen and sophomores, including Nick Brown, Ming Huo, Mike Montalbano, and Tim Sandy. Adding to the young talent are new players A.J. Little, Keith Menchin, Josh Schnarr, Matt Tsau, and Adam Young.
Taking advantage of the veteran leadership and superb pitching of grad student Dan Ruef and junior Jack Bader, the team hopes to shut down opponents' offensive production before the ball is hit into play. If the opponents do get a lucky shot to the field, the solid Tartan defense, led by junior catcher Pete Sukits and freshmen center fielder Jon Dilan, will be there throwing out base runners and chasing down fly balls.
Crushing the ball to the deep corners of the park, the team relies on the power of sophomore Doug Peters, grad student Jim Soto, and freshmen Sandy Williams and Ryan Comes.
Practice was recently shifted from the evenings to three times a week at 7:00 in the morning, which allows the team to use its practice facilities freely. The daily turnout has been excellent and the team is coming together more and more. As a result, the team has more stamina and resilience, and is emerging as a more focused and better skilled baseball team, ready to take on the spring season. Recruitment of new players is vital to the continued success of the team.
We do not hold try-outs or make cuts; everyone who wishes to join the team is welcome to do so. Players that attend practice regularly see playing time, especially since many of our games are doubleheaders. For more information on joining the team, as well as a complete roster, schedule, and other information, please visit, www.cmubaseball.com. Come and support CMU Baseball!