Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Baseball	SIUE Baseball SIUE Athletics

Coach Gary Collins

February 26, 2008 SIUE Opens Season This Weekend           EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – With memories of last year's NCAA tournament appearance fading, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville baseball will look to create new memories as they kick off their 2008 campaign this weekend.           SIUE, ranked 22nd in the latest NCAA Division II national poll, plays two games at Ouachita Baptist Saturday and two more at Henderson State on Sunday. The two schools are literally across the street from one another in Arkadelphia, Ark.           So far Gary Collins, the 2007 Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year, has been impressed with this group and their desire to work hard on and off the field.           "The thing that impresses me with this year's group is their work ethic. I rate their work ethic very high," said Collins.           Leading the charge for the Cougars this season will be four seniors. First team All-GLVC shortstop Cory Bunner (Jacksonville), second team All-GLVC third baseman Ben Bartley, first baseman Steve Doll, and right fielder Daniel Thomson return as starters for the Cougars.           "Last year those four guys were the heart of our order, I expect them to be again this year," said Collins.           To fill the rest of the starting spots, the Cougar coaching staff will evaluate and audition players to see who will provide give the team the greatest chance for success.           Ready to come in a make a contribution at first and third base will be Luke Bahr (Ferguson, Mo.) and Zach Hawkins (Pinckneyville). Both players will also see time as designated hitters for the Cougars.           Behind the plate, Brett Lancaster (Libertyville) and Ryan Schiever (Lockport) will be challenging for the starting spot. Lancaster comes to SIUE from Parkland Junior College and Schiever by way of Triton College. SIUE also has Zach Stead fighting for playing time. Stead was a part-time starter last season.           Ryan Wiggs (Belleville) returns after making 16 appearances at second base for the Cougars last year. He will be joined by transfers Josh Street (Defiance, Mo.) and Chilos Norris (Springfield, Ohio) as the three of them look to become the starting second baseman.           In left field, returnee Dustin Brooks (Rantoul) and St. Louis Community College transfer Michael Hopkins (St. Charles, Mo.) will battle for the starting assignment.           At center field, Adam Eggemeyer (Steeleville) will take over the starting role. Eggemeyer is a transfer from Logan Community College.           Freshman Thad Hawkins (Pinckneyville) figures to see some time in the outfield this year, but may be limited to how much because of his pitching abilities.           "Thad could potentially be one of our better outfielders, but he is also learning to pitch this year. So we will see with him," said Collins.           Christian Rohlfing (Columbia) and Brent Rynearson (Glasford), both sophomores, also will make their case for playing time in the Cougar outfield.           "I am happy that we have depth, talent, and competition at every spot this year. This type of situation normally makes players rise to the occasion," said Collins.         The Cougars also like the depth at pitching. SIUE has 14 players listed at pitcher to start the season.         SIUE Associate Head Coach Tony Stoecklin said he expects Zach Everist (Pleasant Plains), Patrick Keller (Newton), Cody Litteken (St. Jacob) and David Scott (Edwardsville) to be the starters for the first weekend. SIUE posted an impressive 2.51 earned run average last season as a team.                 -siue cougars-