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Spartans down south
Published 8:31pm Monday, March 15, 2010The M State baseball team will be in Vero Beach, Florida this week for the team’s annual spring break tournament.
The Spartans’ five game spring training slate includes matchups with Waubonsee CC (Illinois), Sussex CC (New Jersey), Niagra CC (New York), Erie CC (NY) and MCAC acquaintance Rochester CTC.
The theme of the spring for the Spartans will be new beginnings.
Leading the roster of 15 players that includes nine freshmen are new M State co-coaches Jarrod Asmus and Kellen Shebeck.
Asmus and Shebeck were M State teammates during the 2000 and 2001 seasons, so both men will take the helm with great familiarity with the Spartans’ program.
After their M State playing stints came to a close, Asmus continued his college baseball career at NDSU while Shebeck joined the Fighting Sioux and UND.
“We wanted to explore the idea and what the college might think if we coached the team together, to split the responsibilities, and they went for it,” Asmus said.
Added Shebeck: “Jarrod and I have always been good friends and coaching together should be a lot of fun. We both have different coaching styles, which is a good thing. We will be able to see things in two different perspectives.”
The trip to Florida will give the Spartans the chance to test their skills on a dry, snow-free surface; something that is virtually impossible this time of year in Minnesota unless you’re indoors.
“We’re excited to get outside,” Shebeck said. “It’s a great bonding experience for the guys, but also a chance to play baseball that’s not inside of a gym.”
Sophomore first baseman/pitcher Tyler Anderson, who was selected to the 2009 All-MCAC Central Division roster as a freshman, along with other sophomore captains Tanner Gramm (outfield/pitcher), Jared Weber (infield) and Luke Kramer (infield/outfield) will get the first looks in the field for the new coaching regime. However, Asmus and Shebeck aren’t guaranteeing regular playing time to anyone on the roster.
“We’re coming in with a fresh start mentality,” Asmus said. “As the games and season plays out, we’ll find our everyday players. The sophomores are going to get the first opportunities and we’ll look for them to make big contributions.”
Anderson, a 6-foot-5 southpaw, will lead a Spartans’ pitching staff with plenty of options. Asmus said that as many as 10 Spartans enter the season with mound experience, but makes it clear that Anderson will take the ball on opening day in Rochester on April 2.
“Tyler brings a good presence on the mound with his size and the fact that he’s left-handed,” Asmus said. “We’re going to look for him to lead our pitching staff and hit somewhere in the middle of our lineup. A lot of our success will depend on the leadership he provides.”
The Spartans finished last season at a 21-12 overall mark and won 12 of their 14 divisional games to run away with the Central Division title.
Asmus and Shebeck both realize that M State is traditionally a strong baseball program; they are just hoping to send the Spartans over the top.
“The school has always been a front runner and in the playoff mix,” Asmus said. “Kellen and I want to continue that, but also get the team over the hump and to the next level. Both of us have a strong passion for the game and are working towards a common goal.”
SPARTANS UPDATE:
The Spartans won their first spring training game against Waubonsee CC (Illinois) 7-4 on Saturday. Nic Johnson struck out four while allowing eight hits and one earned run over seven innings to pick up the win. Aaron Link pitched a percent final two innings, striking out five of the six batters he faced. Tyler Anderson went 3 for 5 at the dish with an RBI double while freshman Sam Theilen was 2 for 4 with two RBI’s and two stolen bases.
The Spartans dropped both games of a double-header with Rochester CTC on Sunday. Sam Theilen went 1 for 3 with a double in a 7-0 loss in game one while freshman Jarvis Greenhill picked up the Spartans’ only hit in a 13-0 game two loss.
