MEN'S BASEBALL: Apache hurlers ready for new season
By Dave Msseemmaa
Associate Editor
"We might be a little short in the area of power, but you don’t need power to win games," said Apache baseball coach Bob Koopmann. "It’s not so much a transition from an offense-minded team to one that focuses on pitching and defense. We’re still gonna score runs, we just won’t have the power we had."
The 17 members of the Apaches’ pitching staff will supply the team with depth. Koopmann said it sounds like there are a lot of pitchers, but not as many as it sounds like there are. Two hurlers are limited by recent surgeries, and college teams go through a lot of pitchers in a week.
"In the major leagues, you can go through the whole year with five starting pitchers, but in college baseball…where you can have four double-headers in a row, sometimes you’ll need eight starters."
"Our pitching staff is really strong," said righty-pitcher Jeff Weber, who was in the starting rotation for the Apaches last season.
Koopmann said if the team is short-handed anywhere, it would be depth-wise up the middle. During practices, the coach moves catcher Billy Corrigan to second base and third-baseman Rich Seneker to play shortstop.
Matt Glupczynski, who caught 57 of 60 games last season, is the Apaches’ starting catcher. Behind him are Mendota grads Corrigan and Eric Pinter.
"Billy and Eric are both freshmen, so Koop wants me to take them under my wing and show ‘em the ropes." Said Glupczynski. "We’re getting each other ready with drills like blocking, throwing, and framing drills."
The Apaches' season begins with a twin bill FEb. 24 at Florissant Valley, Mo.