Anthony Jacuzzi
It may not be Florida, but the weather at Kelly Field has been good enough to play ball.
Washington University baseball is in full swing here in late March where it may still be spring training for the pros.
The Bears, coming off of a somewhat disappointing 18-16 season, look to once again return to their dominant seasons of 1999 and 2000, when the team was victorious a record 27 times.
Thus far, results look promising. The Bears have already jumped to a 12-2 record, thanks in part to four weekend victories here at home, two over Milwaukee School of Engineering and one apiece against Concordia University and Fontbonne.
After going 4-2 at the UAA Tournament held March 8-12 in Cocoa, Florida, the Bears busted out the lumber in the four weekend games, outscoring their opponents by a composite score of 34-15.
Among the highlights was junior lefty Adam Cowley’s no-hitter in Saturday’s first game against Concordia. Cowley struck out six, walked six, and allowed only two balls to leave the infield in seven innings of work. The Bears won the game 6-2.
Offensively, catcher Greg Kriegler led the charge for WU with nine RBI and a .733 average in the four games. Ramos Mays, Graham McBride and John Raines also turned in solid all-around performances.
Ric Lessman, the Bears’ head coach for the past eight seasons, returns for yet another in 2002. He carries with him a .719 winning percentage at WU. Joe Berchelmann, in his first year as assistant coach, sits by Lessman’s side this season.
Kriegler, a senior captain of this year’s squad believes this is the best team he has played on in his four years at WU. This includes the record-setters of 1999 and 2000.
“We have a few seniors like Graham McBride and Mark Glover who will play a big role this season,” said Kriegler, “but the guy we all are amazed at is Reggie Crume.”
Crume, a transfer from Austin Peay and a kick returner for the Bears’ football team, has dazzled with mind-blowing speed and natural ability. Crume’s contributions have already been plentiful, including a .407 batting average and a team leading 22 hits. He has also swiped 11 bags in 11 attempts adding a much appreciated threat on the basepaths to an already potent lineup.
The real Bears’ secret thus far this season has been phenomenal pitching. Hurlers Nate Hadsell and Cowley each carry 3-0 records and 0.45 and 1.31 ERAs respectively. Starter Damien Janet also holds a 3-0 mark thus far with a very respectable 3.48 ERA. The team’s 2.02 ERA is miniscule compared to opponents’ 7+ ERA thus far this season.
“This is our best start ever. We had two losses in Florida but could have easily come out undefeated if a few breaks had gone our way,” said senior Nate Liberman.
“This weekend we have our toughest competition in Illinois-Wesleyan. We have eight games in four days but I think our pitching staff, which is the deepest it has ever been, will be able to handle it if the freshman step up and give us near complete games.”
Indeed it seems all the seniors want stellar seasons to end off their Bear careers. Last season was “pretty awful” by Liberman’s standards, although the team finished above .500.
The leaders of this team expect nothing short of total effort and commitment from this year’s club to complement the usual focus on fundamentals and execution. Last year’s club had the solid pitching necessary for a run at a title, yet subpar hitting and costly mistakes prevented the club from repeat performances of the two prior seasons.
The Bears stay on their home diamond this weekend to take on both Simpson College and Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday and Sunday. Fastballs and line drives mean you know summer is in the air.
Contact Sal at sal.taliercio@studlife.com