Feb. 12, 2008
Redbird All-Access members, watch the Redbird baseball media day press conference.
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State head baseball coach Jim Brownlee, along with senior pitcher Eric Theisen and junior catcher Kevin Dubler, took part in the Redbird baseball team's annual media day Tuesday afternoon in the Redbird Arena Press Room.
Below are select quotes from Tuesday's press conference.
HEAD COACH Jim Brownlee
On the team's preseason workouts...
"It's been a tough preseason due to the weather. Normally, we get some time out on the football field. We have cabin fever and wished we could have gone with the softball team to Florida last weekend. I think we are ready to go, because we have had a really good fall season and preseason. Our chemistry seems to be very good. This is the first time that we have had our pitching staff healthy in a long time. That's exciting for me."
On the team's opening day lineup...
"We talked about it with the team last week, and I think that this is the first time that we have been a little undecided on the lineup because we have so many new guys. The first 20 games are really going to help us figure out our lineup. We will obviously have `Dubes' (Kevin Dubler) catching and hitting in the No. 3 spot, and I think we have our mind set with Kevin Tokarski at shortstop. He's got great feet. He's a really good second baseman, and that is where we recruited him to play. But with the unfortunate injury to Collin (Salzenstein), we moved him to shortstop. One of our veterans, Kyle Cherney, has moved from second to third base. We will put a freshman at second, Ronnie Calvird, who will probably start to begin the season. Mike Stalowy, who can play anywhere in the infield, will start the season at first base, along with Gabe DeMarco.
"In the outfield, we have five or six guys that could see time. Quinn Ewert, who is a transfer from Michigan State, is very athletic and could be in our starting rotation. Ewert will also see a lot of time in left field and will bat towards the top of the lineup. In centerfield, we have Corey Maines, who will also be our closer. He's got as much power as anyone I've coached. He's going to run into some balls and hit them a long way this season. In right field, Tyler McNeely has kind of established himself as the everyday right fielder. Dan Weston, Kevin Konsler and Cole Marty will also play a lot in the outfield."
On the status of senior Eric Theisen and the starting rotation ...
"I couldn't be more proud of Eric, but I don't want to be pitching him in 30-degree weather and when it's snowing. I'd say that we are counting on Eric to be the cornerstone of the pitching staff. Right now, he's probably 80-percent, and as we get going and in the warm weather, he will continue to improve. I've never had a guy work harder in rehabilitation as Eric, and when that happens, guys get rewarded. I've never had a guy who has worked that hard not be rewarded. He had two tough years, after having a great sophomore season. I like our staff, and I think this is the most depth we have had. Our young guys are exciting."
On other players he is considering for the starting rotation ...
"I think we've got five or six guys that could be starters. We have 16 pitchers throwing right now, and three or four freshman that could be very good, but joined our program with arm problems. It seems more common at our level that pitchers are having problems, due to overuse and the amount of games that they are playing. But as far as the guys that are returning, I think Quinn Ewert is someone who has a chance to be a starter. I think that Dan Sorce is another guy who had a great fall. We've used him as a reliever in the past, because he can throw every day. His velocity has increased as he has matured. I think that enables him to be a pretty good starter.
"Jim Sajewich started as a freshman, but was used last year as a set-up guy. He flourished in that role. I think that if Eric Theisen gets back to be being healthy, and if Tyler Cox gets back to being healthy too, then we can move Jim back into that set-up role. There are two or three freshmen that could really help us as well. Corey Maines will be our closer and could also start, and has some electric stuff. He has a really good slider and curveball. A guy that has been a real pleasant surprise for us has been Matt Werderitch, who was probably our best pitcher during the fall."
SENIOR Eric Theisen
On his status after suffering injuries...
"Up to this point, there's nothing else left. All of the work's done; surgery is done, as well as the rehab. Obviously, the therapy never ends, but we are ready to go as a staff. Everybody is right on the edge of being healthy and ready to go. The cold weather is not going to help, but once we start warming up and we get into conference play, everything is going to settle in and we will be ready."
On how close he is to being back to his old form ...
"I'm about a week or two away. Hopefully we get some favorable weather the first couple weeks of the season, so I can warm-up with a few innings of limited pitches. Once we get to Florida, I'm hoping to get my pitch count back up to where it used to be. I hope to really get it started down in Florida."
JUNIOR Kevin Dubler
On his impression of the pitching staff ...
"Everybody has been working really hard. The veterans know what they have to do in order to be ready for the season. They also know what is expected of them. The freshmen have also been working hard, and been throwing a lot of long toss. I think it will be a big year for them, and they have a lot to prove. I think we are going to rely on them a lot, and they will do well."
On his role as the team's catcher and on-field leader ...
"I'm looking forward to this season. I have been talking a lot to the guys since the fall. I thought the fall was big for the freshmen to get their feet wet and learn what is expected of them from me. It's a long season, 55 games, so they are not used to it yet. But I think they will do alright."
