As professional baseball players gather in Florida and Arizona to play spring training exhibition games, coach Jeff Stewarts Illinois State University baseball team heads for Clarksville, Tenn., also to help develop players for the long term.
Stewarts plans include victories, but, since one-third of his squad is freshmen, he sees the growth process as a major part of the picture. The Redbirds are slated to play Middle Tennessee on Friday, Austin Peay State on Saturday and Eastern Michigan on Sunday.
We will do whatever we have to for that first win, said Stewart, whose team is 0-3. We also have to look at the long term for a lot of our guys. Nobody likes to lose. But if, in the course of losing, we see develop somebody under game conditions, then, at this point in the year, its worth it.
With Todd Stein likely taking the mound in Fridays game against Middle Tennessee State, Stewart figures to get a majority of the 11 pitchers--plus three position players with mound experience--making the trip some work. His pitching staff lacks game experience at the college level.
We used 12 pitchers in three games last weekend, said Stewart. Whether we use eight, or we use all of them, its important that we get some young guys through those first experiences out there.
Stewarts everyday lineup has five spots fairly secure. Ryan Cantrell, Jake Perganson, Mike Saunches and Jon Peacock figure to play every day with Greg Blaesing behind the plate most games.
We have left-handed hitters and right-handed hitters, veteran players and youngsters to choose from for some of those spots and the oppositions pitching will dictate some of those situations, said Stewart.
Mother Nature may have a say as well. The Tennessee weather forecast features cold and wet conditions for Saturday and Sunday.
You always have that to deal with, especially early in the year, said Stewart. Were just anxious to get back out there and see what we can do, what we can make happen to make us a better team.
After this weekend, the Redbirds next action will be in the Johnny Quik Tournament in Fresno, Calif., March 11-16.
