Baseball

Current Roster

Pitchers, Experience Hope to Lead Cougars
         Some say pitching wins championships. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville baseball coach Gary Collins would certainly agree.
         Coach Collins and his staff have been dealt a corps of hurlers for the 2003 season that returns 21 of the team's 30 wins from last season.
         "This is as deep of a pitching staff we've ever had," Collins said. "We also have good experience on the mound."
         Nick Seibert (Worden), who missed time a year ago due to injury, is healthy and is ready to lead the Cougars on the mound. Seibert posted a 3-0 record and a 1.07 ERA in his shortened 2002 season.
         "Nick is the ace and leader of our pitching staff," boasted Collins. "I think last season would have been a lot different if he wouldn't have been injured."
         Jarad Rettberg (Divernon), the 2002 GLVC Co-Freshman of the Year, returns his 6-2 record and 2.91 ERA from a year ago.
         Brian Keating (St. Louis) comes to the Cougars after playing two years at Lewis and Clark Community College and one at Southwest Missouri State University. Keating was named Pitcher of the Year in the Central Illinois Collegiate League where he led the league in ERA. He was selected in Major League Baseball's amateur draft out of community college.
         "Brian is a good addition to our staff," said Collins. "I expect him to be a high draft pick when he is done here."
         Jarrod Peters (Ellis Grove), who started 10 games for the Cougars a year ago, will compete for time on the hill. Kyle Jones (New Baden), David Briesacher (Waterloo) and Jerry Mahn (Imperial, Mo.) will also get an opportunity on the mound.
         SIUE's bullpen also seems to be solid. Jeff Ebeler (Waterloo), Ryan Spurgeon (Bethalto), Brad Hinton (Clinton) and Adam Brennan (St. Louis) will be available in a relief role and will fight for a starting position. Zach Wooley (Alton), who Collins believes has one of the best arms on the team, should be a force in the bullpen.
         Experience also is key to the Cougars' position players as they will welcome seven returnees.
         Jeff Schwierjohn (Edwardsville) returns at third base while Josh Hanewinkel (Kirkwood, Mo.) will man the other corner at first base. Wes Pickering (Springfield, Mo.), who hit .343 last season, returns and will play shortstop. Justin Baecht (Jerseyville) and Jason Kessler (Mattoon) will both be used behind the plate.
         Luke Humphrey (Rantoul), who hit .295 last season and was the 2001 GLVC Co-Freshman of the Year, will be used in a versatile role playing either the infield or outfield. Jared Brueggeman (East Alton) will also be available for play in the outfield.
         "They all have experience," Collins said. "They also are not only good baseball players, but are very good athletes as well."
         Newcomer Craig Ohlau (Chester), a transfer from Southwestern Illinois College, will be an option at first base or in the outfield.
         "Craig has to play and we'll use him as a middle lineup guy," said Collins.
         Freshmen Tim Velten (St. Louis), Todd Burris (Wood River) and Robert Rahn (Wood River) add depth to the team. Collins said Velten, who also plays soccer for the Cougars, will be a good addition to this year's club. He indicated all three are good hitters and will all vie for playing time.
         Bret Burris (Wood River) and Beau Moody (Edwardsville) will both be used in the outfield. Brad Scott (Benld) comes to the Cougars from Lewis and Clark Community College and will be used as an infielder.
         Collins believes his returnees will make an impact this season, but he is just as interested to see how his newcomers compete.
         "This is why we play the early games on the schedule, to give everyone a chance," said Collins. "Some guys are going to have to play right away so they are not pushed aside by someone else."
         The season begins Feb. 15 with a series against Christian Brothers in Memphis, Tenn. The schedule is highlighted with an early season trip to North Alabama and a spring-break trip to Savannah, Ga.
         Collins thinks most facets of the game are improved and will hope his veteran pitching staff will bring big things for this year's club.
         "We will go as far as our pitching staff will take us," he said.