03-06-2004, 09:14 AM
Quote:FSU freshman not just another hurler
Brian Schultz has been working out of the bullpen - but also has outfield in mind
By Steve Ellis
TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
Before his collegiate career ends, Brian Schultz may belong to an elite group of multi-talented Florida State baseball players who pitched and started in the field in the same season.
He is athletic, as he showed UNC-Asheville on Sunday when he robbed Todd Coggins of a hit by diving to catch a pop-up bunt. He is poised and unafraid on the mound. Schultz (1-0), a freshman, enters this weekend's Dairy Queen Classic with a team-best 1.00 ERA, tops among FSU pitchers with at least nine innings pitched. Schultz has allowed one earned run on four hits while striking out 14 and walking three, and he has been a key addition to a pitching staff that will be tested in the Metrodome. The Seminoles play No.14 Nebraska (5-1) this afternoon, West Virginia (1-4) on Saturday and Minnesota (1-4) on Sunday.
FSU coaches weren't sure what they had in Schultz following fall practice. Schultz, a left-hander with a fastball in the upper 80s, was being considered for the starting rotation, middle relief and closer. Up to this point, Schultz has usually been the first out of the bullpen.
"He is a good battler," FSU coach Mike Martin said. "He doesn't back down."
Schultz is fine with his role as he works on his off-speed stuff, "mainly my strikeout pitch right now is my change-up." But he has his sights on a starting role and more next season. Schultz hit .418 with six home runs and 25 RBIs as a senior at Lake Gibson last season. He also was 27-4 on the mound.
"Hopefully, I'll try for an outfield spot next year," said Schultz, who has made one appearance in the outfield this season. "I like being in the outfield more than pitching, but I'd love to do both. I'd definitely like to do that."
Seminoles who have succeeded pitching and playing in the field during the same season are few. They include Chris Roberts, Clyde Keller and Jeff Ledbetter.
"He's just so valuable out of the bullpen that we wouldn't want to do that this year," Martin said. "But, absolutely, we would consider that next year."
Despite being from an area filled with good acreage for hunting, and excellent lakes for fishing, Schultz has no interest in either. He does fit golf into his free time, with his best effort an 83. "I'm not great, but I like to play," he said.
He is majoring in communications and would like to be a broadcaster. If he fulfills his goal at FSU, he'll give the media plenty to talk about.