University of Missouri baseball Head Coach Tim Jamieson goes into every season with high hopes and the seventh-year headman will treat the 2001 campaign no differently.

"We are always optimistic about the new season and we have high expectations for where we want to finish," Jamieson said.

The Tigers' success next season depends on what they accomplish in the fall. According to Jamieson, the fall sets the tone for the spring.

"Fall ball is the time that we (the coaches) teach our players. We try to get everyone on the same page physically and mentally," Jamieson added.

With 15 returning lettermen, the Tigers will try to improve on their 2000 record of 33-24, 13-14 in the Big 12 Conference. Jamieson expects the most production from the pitchers and outfield.

Pitchers
"We return all of our conference starters which is the good side. The bad side is they are all hurt at this point," said Jamieson on the Tigers' staff.

Senior Jon Harris (6-6, 5.47 ERA in 2000) had shoulder surgery in June and will not play in the fall. Senior Logan Dale (4-5, 6.53 ERA) had arm problems over the summer, but will play and should progress during fall workouts. Senior Pete Sansone (5-1, 6.00 ERA) had a similar situation as Dale, but has thrown in practice during the fall season. Senior southpaw Mitch Kiler (3-3, 3.83 ERA, 2 SV) also had arm problems, but should see some action.

All-American closer senior Ryan Stegall (3-1, 3.62 ERA, 12 SV) also returns. Stegall, who holds the Missouri record for saves in a season and was 16th in the nation, will get a few innings of work as a starter.

Jamieson is also high on junior lefty Matt Hobbs (2-1, 4.74 ERA) and sophomore Drew Endicott (2-3, 4.13 ERA). Both had great summers and will be expected to improve during off-season workouts. Redshirt freshmen Andy Powers (St. Joseph, Mo.) and Mark Alexander (Independence, Mo.) have shown improvement and will get some work. True freshman Shaun Marcum (Excelsior Springs, Mo.) is a lot like Stegall because he is an infielder that can also pitch. He has pushed the veterans and could be a conference starter next season.

Central Methodist transfer Scott Nichols (New Bloomfield, Mo.) has pitched well so far. Rounding out the Tigers staff is a group of first-year hurlers, Garrett Bauer (Ballwin, Mo.), Cody Elhers (Stillwater, Okla.), Mike Mitchell (St. Peter's, Mo.) and Garrett Broshuis (Advance, Mo.). All are capable of pitching in certain situations.

"We have numbers and we feel we have quality on our staff, but it just needs to be sorted out," Coach Jamieson said.

Infield
Ryan Stegall's (.353 BA, 8 HR, 57 RBI) name shows up in this group also. The All-American will anchor the shortstop position, but everyone around has little experience. Although junior second baseman Luke Cassis (.202 BA, 1 HR, 11 RBI) and senior first baseman Mick Weiss (.230 BA, 3 HR, 14 RBI) saw action in over 35 games last season, they have not played a full season at the college level.

"Cassis is a quality defensive second baseman and Weiss should provide power at first, but can they don't have a lot of experience at this level," said Jamieson.

Also pushing for playing time at first is junior Kurt Propst (.255 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBI). Freshman Felipe Tetelboin (Van Nuys, Calif.) will add depth to the middle infield corps, as will junior Tony Vitello. Vitello played in eight games last year and can play any infield position. Senior catcher Jon Williams (.295, 6 HR, 27 RBI) will see some time at third. Aaron Peterik (Wheaton, Ill.) has impressed the coaches with his bat, but the freshman has not secured a position defensively.

Outfield
Jamieson lists the outfield as having the most depth. Sophomore Jayce Tingler (.342 BA, 31 RBI) was a freshman All-American last year and should post similar numbers this year for the Tigers. Junior Wes Fewell (.259 BA, 1 HR, 11 RBI) was solid in a limited role and sophomore Dan Bane (.235 BA, 1 HR, 7 RBI) saw game time as a first-year man last season. Junior W.T Hoover (.220, 2 HR, 4 RBI), sophomore Kevin Henry (Raytown, Mo.) and freshman Ryan Rallo (Chestefield, Mo.) will vie for time in the outfield.

"Henry, Rallo and Hoover will give us depth in the outfield and all three can swing the bat well," Jamieson said.

Catcher
The Tiger coaches are impressed with the performance of freshman Brian Desch during fall workouts.

"The better Desch plays, the more we will be able to move around Jon Williams," said Jamieson.

Freshman Andy Runyan will be the backup behind the plate.