By Benjamin Lampkin
Cardinals looking for first-ever Postseason berth
Last season’s University of Louisville baseball squad posted a remarkable 32-29 record. Considering they’d only won 17 games the prior season it’s no wonder many people are excited about the team’s chances in 2002.
“It’s just an exciting time for us; we can’t wait until our first game,” said head coach Lelo Prado. “We’ve brought in a lot of junior college guys, and that’s really gonna help us. A lot of these guys have been drafter, and they’re here for one reason, and that’s to put U of L on the map.”
PITCHING
One of the strength’s of this season’s team will be its pitching rotation.
Returning to the fold are juniors Mike Tisdale and Mike Eilers, who combined for 13 wins last season. Tisdale was twice named Conference USA pitcher of the week, as he tossed four complete games (two of which were shutouts) and fanned 73 batters in 94 innings of work. Eilers looks to improve upon last season’s 6-3 record and 5.52 ERA, each of which were among the team highs.
Working out of the bullpen will be All-Conference closer Josh Ring. Ring was forced into the starter’s role on several occasions last season, but the added depth should allow him to flourish as one of the top closers in the country. Last season his 10 saves tied him for 13th in the nation, and his 74 strikeouts were a team high. He appeared in a school record 28 games last season, but that number should drop significantly.
“This year I believe our (pitching) staff is our strongest point,” said Prado. “We get everybody back, plus we add some new players.”
Carlos Fernandez, Chase Cruse, and Garrett Estabrook all should compete for starting jobs, along with several other newcomers. Four arms come via transfers, and highly touted freshman Zack Jackson, a Chicago White Sox draft choice, will bring much needed left handed pitching to the staff.
INFIELD
Senior third baseman Mike Budak and junior shortstop Adam Haley will anchor the Cardinal offense once again this season. Budak led the team in RBIs (58), doubles (21), hits (70), total bases (114), and tied for the team-lead in home runs with seven. Haley was the Cards’ top hitter with a .347 average. He also led the team in runs at 45, and had a conference-high 193 assists from the shortstop position.
A versatile collection of players look to split time among the remaining infield spots. Scott Gerlach, J.T. LaFountain, and Danny Plasencia should all battle for significant playing time at the middle infield spots. Gerlach, a senior, spent this past summer putting up impressive numbers in the Arizona Summer Collegiate League, while freshman Plasencia was part of last season’s Florida state championship squad. LaFountain, the son of U of
L Hall of Famer Jim LaFountain, hit .265 last season while playing all four infield spots.
Four players will vie for the first baseman’s job, including junior Morgan Bojorquez and sophomore Carlos De la Osa. Bojorquez hit .282 with four home runs and 32 RBIs last season, which also included stints in the outfield. De la Osa had four home runs and 20 RBIs in 98 AB’s last season.
“We always recruit athletes, I don’t like to just recruit a guy that can only play second base or third base,” said Prado. “I like to recruit guys that can play all over the infield, and if you have to put’em in the outfield we do that.”
Senior Fernando Isa looks to hold down the starting job behind the plate.
Isa hit .310 with 12 doubles and 26 RBIs last year while throwing out 10 of
26 baserunners in conference play. Junior transfer Ken Tirpack adds big-time experience at the catcher’s spot. Tirpack spent the previous two seasons with national power Stanford, and the switch-hitter may also see time at DH.
OUTFIELD
With the departure of Mike Hook to graduation, Dave Williams, Jr. will man the center field position this season for the Cardinals. The junior from Miami, FL. Was 7-9 on stolen base attempts last season, and will prove an able replacement for Hook.
“I think David Williams is ready to come out and have a great year for us,” said Prado. “Dave has done a great job, I don’t think we’re gonna lose a whole lot.”
Sophomore Mark Jurich may double as right fielder and part time designated hitter this season. But make no mistake, he will provide some punch to the lineup. As a freshman last season, he tied for the team lead with seven home runs, and 21 of his 40 hits were for extra bases.
Opposite Jurich in left field will be junior Josh Bolen, who transfered in from Illinois Central Community College. Bolen, who was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the previous MLB amateur draft, hit .399 with 21 homeruns and 95 RBI over the past two seasons.
After making the fifth-best turnaround in Division I last season with a
15-game improvement, the Cardinals hope to build upon that success both in conference play and in their non-conference schedule. The Cards will travel to Oklahoma State, West Virginia, and Kentucky this season, but start off playing 18 straight home games. Conference USA favorite Tulane, last season’s tournament and regular season champions, posted the most wins in Division I last season (56) and made their first trip to the College World Series. The Cardinals travel to New Orleans in early May for a three-game set. Conference USA has also been tabbed the 5th best conference by Baseball America. Louisville, only picked to finish ninth by the conference’s coaches, looks to surprise everyone again this season by making their first appearance in postseason play.
