MU baseball team puts on offensive show against SLU

By Catherine Crane

Published March 16, 2007

An offensive show greeted Tiger fans Wednesday when the MU baseball team returned home to beat Saint Louis University, 19-1.

Not only were the conditions perfect for baseball at the usually frigid Taylor Stadium, but fans also got to see the depth of the Tigers as the bench contributed to the blow-out win.

The Tigers welcomed the burst of offensive power, having at times struggled to get hits.

Junior Brock Bond said it's the coaches' philosophy that guides the players' hitting.

"The coaches say no matter what the scores are or who you're playing, you just got to play the same way every time," Bond said. "That's why we've been scoring runs throughout the games instead of being lackadaisical out there just saying, "Oh, this game is over.'"

MU started the game with a quick lead, scoring 10 runs in the first two innings, which gave coach Tim Jamieson some options. Taking full advantage of the bench, 18 Tigers saw playing time, recording 20 hits in 42 team at-bats.

Sophomore Kurt Calvert took over for senior Evan Frey, who left the game in the second inning after being hit in the head by the throw to first when running to the base. Frey was taken out for precautionary measures due to the concussion he suffered earlier in the season against Arizona State.

Calvert had a productive night in the leadoff spot for the Tigers, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

Frey, who went 2-for-2 with a run scored before being taken out of the game, said he knows it's imperative for him to get on base.

"It's real important (for the top of the order to get on base), that's what we're up there for," Frey said. "If I get on, then that can lead to good things for Brock, and he can get on. One thing leads to another, and those guys will start putting up good numbers, and we'll put some runs up on the board."

Bond, who was 2-for-3 and bats in the two spot behind Frey, looks at his role the same way Frey does.

"We've just been trying to get on base because we know John (McKee) and Ryan (Lollis) will drive us in no matter what," Bond said. "They've been doing a good job. I think they have 20 RBIs each."

The Tigers' usual offensive powerhouses were not the biggest producers on Wednesday. McKee, who led the team in home runs prior to the game, went 0-for-3 with one strikeout. Lollis went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, but MU got more than enough offense from other sources.

Freshman Greg Folgia took over for Bond at second base going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Fellow freshman Aaron Senne entered the game as a pinch runner and stayed into play first base for McKee and recorded a hit in his one at bat, driving in a run.

After sitting out with tendonitis in his throwing arm, senior Gary Arndt was back on the field at shortstop.

Arndt appears to still have his swing, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and runs scored.

"I just try to get on base each time," Arndt said. "We've got some great hitters up at the top of the order. If you get on, there's a good chance you'll score."