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Senior power will be needed for run at toppling dominant Mankato
Huskies' best chance at NCC title lies in their pitching, defense and a plethora of seniors who will need to stay injury-free
By Drew Herron/Contributing Writer
 Media Credit: Michael Martin/Managing Editor Senior pitcher Nate Hoelscher, a St. Cloud River Bat over the summer, will be just one of four strong upperclassman arms the Huskies will rely on to eat up innings during the 2002 campaign. Hoelscher ranked second on the team last year in innings with 32.2 and first in strikeouts with 37.
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In the NCC, seeing Minnesota State University, Mankato, at the top of the baseball standings has become something of a way of life. To knock them off the top of the hill, it will take an experienced team playing their best baseball.
Experience will not be a concern for the Huskies baseball team this season. Five senior infielders, one senior outfielder and four senior pitchers return to a team that finished third in 2001. Solid starting pitching, mistake-free fielding and speed are the Huskies' recipe for success in 2002. The Huskies open the season Friday against Concordia, St. Paul, at the Metrodome before traveling to San Antonio, Texas, March 11 to 15.
Pitching and defense are undoubtedly the team's greatest strengths, and there is no shortage of good starting pitching with experience to choose from.
Four senior starters � Matt Beyer, T.J. Sigstad, Nate Hoelscher and Theran Kahl are likely to make up the rotation that will be needed to consume innings and ease pressure from a young and inexperienced bullpen.
"They have tons of experience, they've started for a couple years now, and they'll be our go-to guys," said assistant coach Shane Quesnell. "We hope to get a lot of innings from those guys and don't have to go to the pen a lot."
Beyer, the most experienced of the four, pitched 40.1 innings last season, struck out 26, and put up a 4.43 ERA on his way to a 4-2 record. Hoelscher struck out 37 hitters in 32.2 innings last year and Kahl posted a 4-1 record in seven appearances. Sigstad made seven relief appearances before suffering an injury. Other returning players with pitching experience include junior Nick Miller and sophomore Blayne Penney.
With historically inconsistent offensive production, the Huskies may need to rely, at times, on their defense and solid starting pitching. The Huskies posted a .964 fielding percentage last season, their second best in school history. The senior-led Husky infield could be the best in the conference.
"I don't think there's anyone better," Quesnell said. "I would say it's us and Mankato, as far as defense goes."
Andy Gretz is starting at first base and is a marvel defensively.
"He's one of the best defensive first basemen I've ever seen," Quesnell said. "We've got loads of confidence when he's in there."
Last season, Gretz boasted a 1.000 fielding percentage, recording no errors in 140 chances.
Second baseman and co-captain Mike Holman hit .325 last season with a .397 on-base percentage and drew 14 walks. Chris Kratochvil played third base last year part time, and is expected to start this year. Kratochvil is a sound defensive player with great awareness. Pete Burkstrand returns to shortstop after a solid defensive season last year in which he recorded a .909 fielding percentage and started 23 games. Freshman Kevin McDonald, a left-handed hitter, could see some action backing up at second, third or short, and sophomore Parnell O'Connor is a left-handed hitting first baseman who is expected to contribute while backing up Gretz. Both players may also fit well as a designated hitter to face right-handed pitching.
Catching is another position where the Huskies bleed depth. Senior Mark Fischer is a solid defensive catcher with a great arm and power at the plate. Senior backup catcher Mark Dingman, a right-handed hitter, also is expected to play some at first base as well as play a critical DH role against left-handed pitching. Dingman hit .345 last season with a .621 slugging percentage and a respectable .452 OBP.
Thursday was the first day back at practice throwing and catching for starting right fielder Craig Flippen after breaking a bone in his hand. Flippen still has another full week of rehab, but could play sometime towards the middle of the Texas trip depending on a doctor's clearance. A senior with a strong arm and good speed, Flippen hit .321 last season, stole eight bases, and led the team in doubles with eight. The Huskies will miss Flippen's presence, but head coach Denny Lorsung has confidence in his potential replacements.
"We've got guys who can play out there. Kratochvil can play out there, Gretz can play out there," Lorsung said. "We're just going to have to play it by ear."
Sophomore Kyle Heckendorf will play center field. Heckendorf, an excellent defensive player with good power and very good speed, played last season in a limited role, but hit .308.
Competing for the starting job in left will be sophomores Dustin Fenwick and Jason Pasko, as well as first-year player Will Spencer. Pasko has good speed and could also play infield.
The loss of all-conference left fielder Brad Sarauer from last season leaves the team in search of a leadoff hitter.
"We need to find a leadoff hitter. It could be Dustin Fenwick. It could be Kyle Heckendorf," Quesnell said. "The biggest question mark will be the leadoff. We'll play around with it down in Texas in the first couple games, and hopefully get a guy that looks good there."
The middle of the order is all but set with Mike Holman, Mark Fisher and Andy Gretz. Heckendorf and Dingman will be plugged in somewhere around the meat of the order.
"Depending on if a lefty or righty is throwing," Quesnell said, "we may see more of MacDonald in the lineup, we may see Dingman."
Solid offensive production and staying injury-free are two areas that are critical for this year's success.
"I'm excited about the speed we have on this team," Quesnell said. "(We have) even more than last year, and we're going to have to use it. We're definitely going to have to manufacture runs and play smart."
Cooperative weather is another item of concern for the Huskies.
"Our hitting is going to have to stay a lot more consistent than it was last year and we need good weather," said Quesnell. "We need to play a lot and get the games in to get our guys in a better groove."
Last season, the Huskies missed out on a total of 21 games due to bad weather. Some other teams in the conference who experience better weather have been able to start earlier and play more games. Northern Colorado has already played eight games and will have played two more before the Huskies play their first.
If SCSU is to win the NCC championship, they'll most likely have to dethrone perennial favorite MSU, Mankato. The Mavericks are returning 11 starters from last season and are ranked 19th in the NCAA Division II preseason poll.
"I think we'll match up well (against Mankato)," Quesnell said. "Our starting four pitchers will be as tough as their starting four. I'm sure they'll have a tougher bullpen. They're claiming right now they have three guys throwing over 90 (miles per hour). Pitching will definitely be their strength. If our hitters hit up to expectations, we'll match up well."
Consistent hitting and run production, in addition to solid pitching and defense, just might be enough for the Huskies to turn the tide of power in the NCC. Only time will tell.
Check the sports section of Thursday's University Chronicle for a preview of the 2002 softball season.
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