K-State Making Progress During Fall Practice
Oct 07, 2002 | Baseball
Oct. 7, 2002
Manhattan, Kan. - The Kansas State baseball team enjoyed a solid first week of fall practice, highlighted by some impressive individual pitching and hitting performances, as the Wildcats make preparations for the start of the 2003 season.
The Wildcats began fall practice on Tuesday, Oct. 1 with three days of team practice before concluding the first week with scrimmages on Friday and Saturday.
"We were hampered a bit with the weather early on in the week," said Wildcat head coach Mike Clark. "However, I thought the scrimmages on Friday and Saturday were very good, especially the one on Saturday. We got some good pitching performances from Danny Wilson, Kevin Melcher and Allan Woodward, while I thought Ty Soto and Andrew Dunsmore did a nice job at the plate."
Clark said he was impressed with the pitching performances of senior Kevin Melcher, junior transfers Brett Bagley and Danny Wilson and freshman Allan Woodward in the two scrimmages. Overall, he said the pitching staff needs to get more consistent and improve upon staying ahead of hitters.
"We have some very good hitters in our lineup, so the guys are getting some good practice," said Clark. "We are just getting too behind in the count against hitters, but the stuff that I'm seeing from these guys does look good."
Clark was also impressed with the team's offense, which returns nearly 80 percent of its hit and run-scored totals from 2002. Junior third baseman Ty Soto had a two-run home run in the scrimmage on Saturday, while redshirt freshman third baseman Andrew Dunsmore went 2-for-2 with an RBI. Senior All-American candidate Pat Maloney also got on base three times and had an RBI.
"We hit the pretty well in both scrimmages," said Clark. "We are striking out a little too much, but that's expected since this is the first time most of our hitters have seen live pitching since the summer."
The battle for playing time has also been competitive at nearly every fielding position, Clark said. The one position the coaching staff is paying particular attention is shortstop, where the Wildcats must replace two-year starter and honorable mention All-Big 12 selection Osmar Castillo. Senior Brett Williams, who drew 34 starts at first base in 2002, was moved to his natural position of shortstop in the off-season, where he is in a fight with junior college transfer Marc Chabot.
"Both guys bring a lot to the table at shortstop," said Clark. "They are very close as far as fielding and hitting. It will come down to who is the most consistent going into the season. I have been impressed with both guys so far."
Other position battles include first base, where seniors Tim Doty and Tim Foley are fighting off a challenge from true freshman Chris Carlson, and center field where returning junior Brad Anzman is getting good competition from junior transfers Adam Maras and Brian Patty and redshirt sophomore Terry Blunt. The foursome is looking to replace two-year starter Nick Sorensen in center.
Kansas State will host its annual Scout Day on Tuesday where the coaching staff expects more than 25 national and regional scouts for an intrasquad scrimmage. The Wildcats will also scrimmage on Wednesday before returning to regular practice on Thursday and Friday. The team will hold another scrimmage on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. before the Oklahoma State football game.
"This is a great opportunity for our fans to come and preview the 2003 squad," said Clark. "We will also have players giving tours of the new stadium. Fans can then enjoy some outstanding baseball before heading over to the football game."
All practices and scrimmages are held at Tointon Family Stadium and are open to the public.
