Kitt Kopach will take the hill for the Illinois State baseball team on Friday night, when the Redbirds open up the 2005 campaign against the nationally ranked Stetson Hatters at Melching Field in DeLand, Fla. The Birds will play three games this weekend in Florida, their first of two trips to the Sunshine State this spring.
I know our team is certainly excited to head south and to get out on the field for the first time this year, said Redbird head coach Jim Brownlee, now in his third year with Illinois State and his 26th year overall as a head coach. We were picked ninth in the preseason and outside of the people associated with this program, there arent very high expectations for us. Were definitely looking forward to proving ourselves this season.
Friday nights game at Stetson will only be the second start of Kopachs young career. Only a sophomore, the hard-throwing right-hander has improved so much in the eyes of the coaching staff that he is undoubtedly worthy of an opening night start.
Kitt is an exciting guy to have, because as a coach, you dont get to coach arms like his very often, said Brownlee. His arm works so well and every area that he needed to improve on he has. He has a great slider that he can throw while behind in the count and he has done a great job of stopping the running game. If he continues to progress at this same pace throughout his career, he will have a very bright future down the road.
Friday nights game begins at 6:00 CST, while Saturday the two teams will play at 1:00 p.m. and Sundays first pitch is set for noon. Senior Ned Schauff will take the hill on Saturday while sophomore Dan Frega is scheduled to get the nod on Sunday.
Stetson is 2-1 in 2005, as they won a home series last weekend with Missouri Valley member Southern Illinois. The Hatters, who were ranked anywhere from No. 26 to No. 41 in the national preseason polls, return seven position starters and all five of their pitchers. They are coached by Pete Dunn, who is also in his 26th year of coaching.
Early on this year we have some positions that still need to be decided and this is the first weekend where the guys will get to show us that they deserve to play, added Brownlee. We are going to be very young this year so our staff will have to be patient early. However we are also very talented and I think we have a chance to be very good at the end of the year.
Fans wishing to listen to the game or follow along with internet live-stats scoring will have the opportunity to do so. Stetson University will provide an internet broadcast for all three games this weekend. Additionally, live stats will also be available. To keep up to date with the Redbirds, go to www.redbirds.org and click on the baseball schedule. From there, click on the appropriate link for each game.
