Play Ball!
2/9/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Series Record
This will be the first matchups between Mizzou and Pepperdine. Against West Coast Conference teams, Missouri has an alltime record of 2-5.
Pitching Rotation
Coach Jamieson will call on a pair of veterans and one newcomer to take the hill for the season-opening series. Junior right hander Logan Dale will get the ball on Friday, and will be followed the next two days by junior lefty Ralph McCasland and junior college transfer Jon Harris, a right hander.
? Game 1 - Logan Dale, 6-5, 219, Jr., RHP, Kansas City - 7-2 in '99, 5.45 ERA, 72 Ks, 22 BBs
? Game 2 - Ralph McCasland, 6-5, 181, Jr., LHP, Jeff City - 2-3 in '99, 2 saves, only 1 start
? Game 3 - Jon Harris, 6-1, 192, Jr., RHP, Kansas City - 18-5 w/ 2.79 ERA in JUCO career.
About The Waves
Coach Frank Sanchez' Waves were 46-16 a year ago and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Ranked 26th by Collegiate Baseball in the pre-season, they've gotten off to a 1-5 start in 2000, and are riding a three-game losing streak after dropping 14-2, 7-6 and 6-2 decisions at Fresno State over the weekend. Pepperdine's likely pitching rotation will be sophomore right hander Dan Haren (0-2, 5.19), followed by junior right hander Jay Adams (0-2, 6.00) and sophomore southpaw Noah Lowry (0-0, 18.00). Adams was an All-America selection last season - first-team by College Baseball Insider and third-team by Collegiate Baseball and the NCBWA - after going 11-3 with a 2.56 ERA, 91 strikeouts and only 19 walks in 119.2 innings. The Waves' leading hitters in the early going have been OF Jeremy White (.353, 1 HB, 4 RBI) and C Duke Sardinha (.333, 1 HR, 3 RBI).
Tigers' Experience Is In The Field
It's a reversal of fortunes for Coach Tim Jamieson as he surveys the 2000 season. Whereas a year ago the Tigers returned a veteran pitching staff and inexperienced position players, this year he returns seven starters in the field and 10 players who had 100-or-more at bats in 1999. "We don't know yet what to expect from our pitching staff," Jamieson says. "They are talented but inexperienced. Through time, though, I expect our pitching to be a strength of this ballclub, too." Sophomore Ryan Stegall returns at shortstop after a rookie campaign that saw him earn Freshman All-America honors. He hit .287 a year ago with a team-high 12 homers and sparkled in the field. His role will change a bit this season when he also figures to be the Tigers' closer. Behind the plate, junior Jon Williams returns after an all-conference season in which he hit .362. The Tigers return a bevy of experienced outfielders in J.R. Warner (.333, 14 doubles), Nick Wilfong, W.T. Hoover and Wes Fewell. The trip west will be a good measuring stick for Coach Jamieson and his Tigers, who practiced outside for the first time on Saturday, after spending a month working inside the cavernous Devine Pavilion. "We're very excited about this year for a lot of reasons," Jamieson says, "but mainly because of our new stadium. You can see that our players have a little extra bounce in their steps. Seeing that facility every day gives our players a little more of a sense of legitimacy.
Next For Mizzou
The Tigers travel again next week ... to Natchitoches, La., where they'll play Feb. 17-20 against Nicholls State, Arkansas-Little Rock, Northwestern State and Centenary. They'll return to Columbia to make their home debut against Lincoln University on Tues., Feb. 22 - one of only two non-Division I games on the 2000 Missouri schedule. Then they jump right into Big 12 Conference action when they play a three-game set at Texas Tech, in Lubbock, Texas, Feb. 25-27.
MISSOURI BASEBALL STAFF Head Coach: Tim Jamieson (Penn State '90), 5-5 (1st season at MU and overall) Assistants: Chal Fanning, Evan Pratte Athletic Trainer: David Broz Sports Information Dir.: Bob Brendel 573/882-0712 (O), 447-1422 (H) SID FAX: 573/882-4720 E-Mail: BrendelB@missouri.edu Home Field: Ralph and Debbie Taylor/Phi Delta Theta Stadium at Simmons Field (2,200)
TIGERS ON THE WEB Follow all of MU's 20 athletic teams on the official athletic department website -
www.mutigers.com
TIGERS ON THE RADIO Follow every game of the 2000 season on KWWC Radio (90.5 FM). For the second season, Sean Kelley will call the action, assisted at home by former Tiger all-star Ryan Fry. The broadcasts may also be accessed on the Internet at the official University of Missouri Athletics Website - www.mutigers.com
TICKET INFORMATION Season tickets for Mizzou's debut season at the brand new Taylor Stadium at Simmons Field are now on sale. $60 Adults $30 Youth (18 years old and younger) $150 Family Plan (2 adults, 2 youth)
Single-game tickets are also available. $5 Adults $3 Youth
Groups of 25-or-more may purchase tickets for $2. Call 573/882-0710 for group-ticket information.
RETURNING STAT LEADERS FOR MU Batting Avg. Jon Williams, .362 Runs Scored Ryan Stegall, 54 Hits Jon Williams, 68 Doubles Jon Williams, 17 Triples J.R. Warner/Ryan Stegall, 3 Home Runs Ryan Stegall, 12 RBI Ryan Stegall, 48 Walks W.T. Hoover, 38 Stolen Bases J.R. Warner/Ryan Stegall, 7Appearances Ralph McCasland, 24 Starts Logan Dale, 12 Wins Logan Dale, 7 Saves Ralph McCasland, 2 Innings Logan Dale, 77.2 ERA Logan Dale, 5.45 Strikeouts Logan Dale, 72
