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May 1, 2009 - The 2009 season draws to a close this weekend for the Truman baseball team when Missouri Western visits Kirksville for a four-game set at the Bulldog Baseball Park. The Bulldogs (11-41, 7-29 MIAA) will match up with the visiting Griffons (30-22, 18-16 MIAA) in a pair of 7/9 doubleheaders. Saturday’s contests will begin at 1 pm, while Sunday will start at noon.
This is the second straight season Missouri Western has traveled to Kirksville for the season series. The Griffons took three of four last year, with the one Bulldog win coming on a complete game five-hitter from pitcher Logan Frame.
MEET THE SKIPPERS:
Dan Davis is in his third season as the leader of the Bulldog program after having previously served as the pitching coach of the Division I University of Northern Iowa Panthers. He has a 28-121 (.188) career head coaching record in three seasons - all at Truman. Davis is assisted by Sean Zaborowski, Patrick Delaney and Mike O’Haver.
Buzz Verduzco is the head coach of the Griffons, and he is 276-230 (.545) in his 10th season at Missouri Western.
Davis is 2-6 against Missouri Western for his career.
SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS:
The Missouri Western Griffons (30-22, 18-16 MIAA) currently sit sixth in the MIAA and will also wrap up their regular season this weekend in Kirksville.
Missouri Western, sporting an 18-18 road record on the season, have seen the most solid play come from senior Troy Landi, who leads the club in games played (52), batting average (.344) and homeruns (11). He has also stolen 26 bases in 32 attempts, by far the team-high.
Danny Conners (.338 AVG, nine doubles) and Andy Hebrard (.320, 13 XBH) each has a slugging percentage above or near .500, while Adam Mercado (.301, eight homeruns) leads the team with 35 RBI.
On the mound, A.J. Huttenlocker has won ten games, going the distance seven times, and posted a 3.49 ERA. The senior has struck out more than a batter an inning and is the reigning MIAA player of the week. Truman can also expect to see Blake Thomas (7-4, 2.70 ERA), Chris Sundvold (2-2, 6.53 ERA) and Andy Hebrard (6-6, 3.78 ERA) this weekend on the hill as part of the starting rotation.
Out of the ‘pen, the Griffons have just four team saves on the season, led by Ryan Carbah’s two. Carbah does have a team-high 16 appearances this year and has compiled a 2-1 record and a 4.01 ERA.
LIVE STATS TO BE AVAILABLE:
The Bulldog Sports Information Department will have live stats available for the weekend series through our Web site. Truman’s Athletics Web site is: http://gobulldogs.truman.edu.
RECORDS WERE MEANT TO BE BROKEN:
The Bulldogs are on pace to set a handful of new records this season, aided by playing the most games in school history. Should all four games get completed this weekend, Truman will have tapped the NCAA-maximum 56 games for the first time in school history.
Truman has already surpassed the previous-best for total hits in a season (415; previous high 408 in 2008), pitching strikeouts (256; prev: 242 in 1971), fielding put-outs (1,190; prev: 1,091 in 2008) and fielding assists (506; prev: 469 in 2008).
The ’Dogs are also on pace to set a new mark for hitting doubles, and total bases and, with an error-free weekend in the field, could post a new fielding percentage best.
A BIT ABOUT THE SENIORS:
Three seniors will be playing their last games in a Bulldog uniform this weekend. Corey Eagen, Eric Mathews and Corey Tomasek answered a few questions prior to their final weekend:
What will you be getting your degree in?
C.E. - Accounting
E.M. - Exercise Science: Sport Management, minoring in Business
C.T. - Finance, minoring in Economics
What are your plans after graduation?
C.E. - I will be starting graduate school at Truman to get my Masters in Accountancy.
E.M. - I plan on attending graduate school.
C.T. - I will graduate in December, then look for a job.
What was your favorite Truman baseball moment?
C.E. - Pitching an inning against Washburn my sophomore year.
E.M. - Going 3-for-4 with two, two-out hits that scored runs to help us get our first win this year. Also, coming back from a 10-1 deficit to win against Lincoln.
C.T. - Getting to pinch-run and then stealing home on a passed ball.
What is one position you wish you played for one inning?
C.E. - Catcher.
E.M. - First base.
C.T. - Designated hitter.
The trio will be recognized between games on Sunday.