Feb. 8, 2008
Redbird All-Access members, watch the fourth installment of the Redbird baseball season preview interviews.
NORMAL, Ill. -
As the start of the 2008 college baseball season draws closer, GoRedbirds.com and Redbird All-Access will check in with the Illinois State baseball team as it gets ready for opening day 2008, with the weekly series "Redbird Baseball Season Preview." The fourth edition of the series takes a look at the Redbird catchers, a group that includes Kevin Dubler, the 2008 All-Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Team selection, who is featured as this week's video interview, available for Redbird All-Access members.
Dubler will look to lead the Redbirds behind the plate and in the batter's box in 2008, after putting up impressive numbers as a sophomore in 2007. The Downers Grove, Ill., native paced the `Birds in virtually every offensive category, recording 22 multiple-hit games and 10 multiple-RBI games, as well as posting team-highs in slugging percentage (.497), on-base percentage (.401), runs (36), hits (63), doubles (20) and RBI (37). Dubler was named a first-team All-MVC selection at designated hitter, as he hit a league-high 13 doubles in conference play. Dubler's 20 doubles also tied for the second-best mark in school history.
The left-handed hitting catcher will be counted to provide power in the middle of the Redbird lineup, and head baseball coach Jim Brownlee believes that Dubler is the best backstop in the league.
"I think Kevin is the best catcher in the conference, and his overall game makes him one of the best in the league," said Brownlee. "I think `Dubes' deserves to be on the preseason team, even if it's at designated hitter. At least he is getting the recognition, and I think that he has worked really hard this past offseason. He's gotten bigger and stronger, and he's one of the smartest guys I've had at calling a game.
"We will continue to allow him to call pitches this spring, and I think that will show with our pitching staff. Our pitchers have a lot of confidence in `Dubes' in getting the job done, and he will obviously set the tone for us offensively. He's one of the best hitters in the league."
When Dubler is not behind the plate, the backup catching duties could fall primarily on Justin Rahn. The junior transfer comes to Illinois State after spending the previous season at Meramec Community College, where he batted .331 with eight doubles, one home run and 20 RBI in 136 at-bats. A native of St. Louis, Rahn prepped at Christian Brothers College High School, and batted .417 as senior, earning first-team all-conference and honorable mention all-state accolades.
Sophomore transfer Luke Smith will also compete for time behind the plate. The Godfey, Ill., native spent the 2007 season as a member of the baseball team at McKendree Community College. While a prep at Metro East Lutheran High School, Smith was an honorable mention all-metro area selection by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as a senior and batted .491 with 14 doubles, five home runs and 42 RBI. Smith also showed his speed, as he led the St. Louis area with 29 stolen bases as a sophomore.
Check back with GoRedbirds.com and Redbird All-Access, as Brownlee will sit down for an overall season outlook. The Illinois State baseball team opens up the 2008 season with a three-game set at Tennessee Tech Feb. 22-24.
