Absolutely HUGE week forthcoming for the Baseball Owls as the team faces off against four in-state, Top 35 ranked rivals, beginning Tuesday afternoon at The Reck vs. Sam Houston State, followed by the annual College Classic Tournament at Minute Maid Park (vs. UT, TCU and Tech). We need to ride the momentum and confidence gained from our weekend sweep of Purdue, and bring the focus, resilience and aggressiveness each and every game. A winning week could very well catapult us into the Top 10 in the polls as we enter the commencement of conference play. Let's make it happen. Go Owls!
Under Coach David Pierce, Sam Houston State is once again a Top 35 caliber team, off to another quick start and poised for another post-season appearance. Coming off a bounce back home series win against always tough Dallas Baptist (1-5, 12-2, 4-1), the Bearkats come into Reckling Park on Tuesday afternoon (the last early 4:30pm CST start time of the season) boasting a 7 - 1 record. They swept Northern Colorado at home opening weekend, and won their lone road game to date at McNeese State.
Here's their stat sheet covering their first seven games, as well as their roster...
http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/19900/st...amcume.htm
http://www.gobearkats.com/SportSelect.db...PSID=93006
Both SHS's offense and pitching has been outstanding the first couple weeks. As a team they're hitting .336/.415/.414, with 1 HR, 17 doubles/triples, and averaging an impressive 7.5 runs/game. No less than five regulars are batting above .360, and only Shea Pierce is hitting below .250. They have also 15-16 in stolen base attempts. The Bearkats are probably the best top-to-bottom offensive team we've face to date, and whomever starts (McDowell, Ditman, Duplantier?) will have to be on their game.
And while the offense has carried SHS early, the pitching has not exactly been shabby; not with a staff ERA of 1.88 and BAA of .245. I suspect we'll see true Fr RHP Sam Odom as their Tuesday starter (2 app, 1 start, 1-0, 1 save, 10.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, .270 BAA, 3 BBs, 8 Ks). Alternatively, if Coach Pierce wanted to go with a southpaw against us (despite our back-to-back strong offensive games against left-hended starters), So LHP Logan Boyd could get the nod (or be the first out of the bullpen). He throws a low 90s heater, but is noted as a sinkerball (groundball) pitcher. He has one relief appearance so far this year: 1 app, 2.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, .333 BAA, 3 hits (2 doubles), 0 BBs, 3 Ks.
Eric Sorenson ranked the Bearkats #42 in his preseason Top 302 countdown...
Quote:42- SAM HOUSTON STATE (38-22, 20-7)
2013 ISR: 44
Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 0
Key Relievers (15+inns.): 3
Won regular season title and also pulled an at-large bid to the NCAAs. Not bad. Returning weekend starters Andrew Godail (5-4, 3.10, .233OBA) and Tyler Eppler (5-2, 3.41, .249OBA) both had a better ERA than ace Caleb Smith last season. Strapping fireballer Jason Simms (3-1, 2.74, 9svs) and Alan Scott (2-1, 1.16, 20apps) are back to lock down late leads. Offensively, four .300+ hitters return in addition to powerstick Luke Plucheck (.298-9-43, 11SBs).
Baseball America picked SHS as the team to beat in the Southland Conference...
http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2...southland/
Quote:Team to Beat: Sam Houston State.
Coach David Pierce has led the Bearkats to regionals in each of his first two seasons at the helm, and this might be his best team yet, with experience all over the roster. Sr. C Anthony Azar (.303/.371/.491, 6 HR) is a good all-around player who leads a lineup that has a nice blend of power and speed. Jr. CF Colt Atwood is an accomplished table-setter, while corner outfielders Luke Plucheck and Hayden Simerly provide power, and corner infielders Ryan O’Hearn and Carter Burgess are breakout candidates. With last year’s top two starting pitchers gone, Tyler Eppler moves into the Friday spot, and he’s followed by two lefties who can reach 92 mph and have quality breaking balls in Andrew Godail and Logan Boyd. Senior sinkerballer Jason Simms leads a veteran bullpen.
Kendall Rogers/Perfect Game also picks the Bearkats as the favorite to win the Southland Conference...named catcher Anthony Azar as Player of the Year...and named C Azar, 1B O"Hearn, 3B Burgess, OF Plucheck, OF Simerly, Friday starter Eppler an closer Simms to the preseason all-conference team...
http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View...ticle=9410
Quote:Sam Houston State: Bearkats head coach David Pierce and his coaching staff have done a terrific job the past couple of seasons, and hope to take another step forward with an NCAA Super Regional appearance this spring. SHSU lost weekend starters Cody Dickson and Caleb Smith to the Major League Baseball draft, but somehow shouldn’t skip much of a beat with rising junior righty Tyler Eppler, junior lefty Andrew Godail and sophomore righty Ryan Brinley leading the way. Eppler leads the charge and made a significant jump during fall workouts. The righty was up to 94 with very good overall stuff, and is seeing his draft stock skyrocket. Also keep an eye on closer Jason Simms, who had a terrific 2013 season … Offensively, outfielder Luke Plucheck, first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and third baseman Carter Burgess are all guys with a load of potential at the plate, while shortstop Corey Toups, who only played two games last season because of an ACL tear, is back to help stabilize that position. Meanwhile, catcher Anthony Azar is the most feared hitter on this club. Azar has a compact frame and is a veteran.
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SHS Baseball Preview-- Statement Week: Battle For Texas Edition
