Baseball: Hughes Brothers Challenge
February 27, 2004 04:43 PM | General
February 27, 2004
 |
||
| Fritz |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University baseball coach Greg Van Zant learned a lot about his team during last weekend’s three games at the Homewood Suites Shootout in Charleston, S.C.
The Mountaineers (1-2) were within two outs of taking two out of three games last weekend and come into this weekend’s games with a little more pitching depth and a new defensive alignment in the infield.
Van Zant plans on starting junior right-hander Shawn Miller Saturday afternoon against Marist (0-3) in the second game of the Hughes Brothers Baseball Challenge; Marist plays UNC Wilmington in the first game at 1:30 pm. Miller was terrific in his season debut against Old Dominion, striking out nine and walking just one in five innings of work. Freshman Wes Osbourn came in and cleaned up the final four innings to earn the save.
Van Zant was also impressed with the way senior right-hander Justin Asbury threw in a 5-4 loss to The Citadel.
“Those three threw the ball pretty well,” said Van Zant.
The coach isn’t sure who will start Sunday’s game against UNC Wilmington, now 0-5 after losses to Elon and South Carolina.
Van Zant also welcomes the return of junior right-hander Chris Amedro, who will be available to throw and inning or two this weekend. A total of 10 different pitchers saw action last weekend. Juniors Zac Cline and Marty Fagler did not make the trip to Wilmington this weekend.
“They’re not far enough along in their throwing programs to pitch this weekend,” said Van Zant.
The coach has altered his defensive alignment in the infield. He plans on starting freshman Justin Richards at third against a right-handed pitcher and sliding second baseman Mike Christoforo over to third and playing junior Chasen DeLeon at second against a left-hander.
Third basemen were responsible for all five of West Virginia’s errors last weekend.
After the first week, centerfielder Lee Fritz has picked up where he left off last season batting .417 with four runs scored. Leftfielder Jake Serfass is batting .385 with six runs scored and Stan Posluszny is hitting .364 with a home run and seven RBI. Six players are hitting better than .300 after the first week of play.
“We have the makings of a pretty good offensive club,” said Van Zant.
Because of inclement weather in Wilmington this week, the schedule has been adjusted. Instead of playing games on Friday, West Virginia will face Marist 45 minutes following the conclusion of the Marist-UNC Wilmington game set to start at 1:30 on Saturday, and will face UNC Wilmington on Sunday at 4 pm.
All four games of the Hughes Brothers Baseball Challenge will be played at Brooks Field in Wilmington, N.C.
