Baseball

SIUE Baseball
Charges Into Balanced GLVC
	(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Coming off a 35-19 record of a season ago
with one of the nation's best pitching staffs, Southern Illinois
University Edwardsville baseball Coach Gary Collins heads into this year
looking only to continue what has become the trend.
	SIUE is the only school to have qualified for the GLVC Tournament
in each of the last four years whether it's been a two-team tourney or a
four-team tilt. This year's tournament is to be expanded to six teams,
giving the Cougars an even better chance of continuing its streak.
	The Cougars had three pitchers drafted in last year's major league
draft, including Ryan Cox (Effingham). His 1.77 earned run average was
among SIUE's all-time best. His five shutouts tied an NCAA Division II
record. Fellow starters Aaron Rakers, who set the school record for
single-season strikeouts (109), and Brian Matzenbacher also made the leap
into professional baseball. All three were eight-game winners last season.
	In 2000, Collins must rely on a virtually inexperienced pitching
staff. The Cougars have three senior pitchers. Jared Wood (Cairo, Mo.) was
a spot starter last season and figures to improve further. "He showed
signs of brilliance last season," said Collins.
	Ryan Edwards (St. Peters, Mo.) and Dan Sergott (O'Fallon) both
have experience at this level. Collins said both will work out of the
bullpen as well as receive starting assignments.
	Collins heads into the season hoping his new set of recruits will
bolster the pitching staff.
	Bret Giaudrone (Gillespie) played in the NAIA World Series for
Bellevue College. A left-hander, Giaudrone is expected to put his
battle-tested skills to the GLVC test. "Bret has some nasty pitches to
throw at people."
	Matt Wilkinson, of Australia, comes to SIUE from Triton Junior
College. Even though he grew up down under, the right-hander has great
potential and a strong curve ball, according to Collins.
	Josh DeWitte, a sophomore from Moline, has several pitches in his
arsenal who Collins expects will be one of his starters once the GLVC
regular season begins. DeWitte is a transfer from the University of Iowa.
	Left-hander Mike Ortt (St. Louis, Mo.) enters SIUE from Three
Rivers Junior College. Collins expects Ortt to come out of the bullpen
with a good curve ball and change-up.
	Ryan Cross (Lincoln) also is expected to contribute after making
one appearance last season.
	Collins' trump card may be in sophomore Dave Crouthers, who made
two appearances last season on the mound. Crouthers, the GLVC's Freshman
of the Year last season with a .355 batting average in right field, has
continued to work on his pitching.
	"He definitely has the best arm on the staff," said Collins. "He
just needs to learn how to pitch."
	Crouthers will likely be in every game whether he's pitching or
playing right field. "I expect him to hit the ball farther this year.
You'll see him driving the ball more," said Collins.
	Crouthers is joined in the outfield by more experience, like
seniors Travis Dawson (Collinsville) and Brock Friese (Strasburg). Dawson
is a candidate for Player of the Year in the GLVC, said Collins, after
hitting .392 and stealing 29 bases a season ago. Friese was second on the
1999 team in stolen bases with 19.
	Chris Knopp (St. Louis) has caught the eye of Collins. Also an
SIUE soccer player, Knopp adds another speedy option to the Cougar lineup.
	On the infield, the Cougars have done some slight revamping.
	Kyle Briggs, a junior from Granite City, is Collins' best option
at third base but must battle back from the knee surgery he had last July.
	At shortstop, Mark Bugger (Edwardsville) was second behind
Crouthers in runs batted in with 46. He needs just 45 hits to become the
eighth player in school history to collect 200 hits and only the second to
do it in just three seasons.
	Chad Opel (Edwardsville) got a taste of Division II baseball after
playing in all 54 games last season as a freshman. The second baseman is
expected to blossom even further after hitting .292 in 1999.
	Dusty Bauer (Greenville) has home run power and looks to be the
starter at first base.
	The Cougars have several other options on the infield with
freshman Wes Pickering (Springfield, Mo.), senior Joe Blumberg (Freeburg),
and junior Steve Berra (Ft. Zumwalt, Mo.). DeWitte also is expected to
provide backup at first base.
	SIUE's catchers are Todd Haug (Rosewood Heights) and Jason Kessler
(Mattoon). Collins said Haug may have the early advantage because of his
experience last season with 36 games. "They'll both be playing a lot,"
said Collins.
	Collins, who holds a career record of 666-416-6 after 21 seasons,
said the GLVC has the same if not increased depth than in past seasons.
"The GLVC is more balanced than it's ever been. There are at least eight
teams in this 12-team league who could contend for the conference title."
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