MU hitters motivate team toward win

When they're at bat, Frey and Bond work to advance runners.

By Steve Sliker, Reporter
March 9, 2007

The first two hitters in MU's lineup, juniors Evan Frey and Brock Bond, had a festive opening weekend at Taylor Stadium against the Youngstown State Penguins. The one-two punch served as catalysts in a lineup that capitalized on them getting on base consistently — reaching base 16 times out of 19 at bats in the opening series — and adding three more hits against Louisiana-Monroe.

"My approach is to find any way I can to get on base by either walking, getting hit or getting a hit," Frey said. "If I do that, I like our chances of scoring a run with the guys behind me in the order."

MU coach Tim Jamieson was pleased with the pair's performance during the weekend and said it needs to continue to spark MU's offense.

"That's going to be the key to us scoring runs all year," Jamieson said "Those two guys have got to lead to the team in runs scored."

Together, the pair scored 13 runs in the series.

Frey said he watches pitchers before the game when they are warming up on the mound.

"Come (Big 12) conference time, we normally watch tape on the pitcher and get a good idea of what we are up against," Frey said.

What Frey does and sees in his opening at-bat dictates what the lineup does for the rest of the time that pitcher is in the game.

"Even if I make an out, I can still come back to the dugout and tell the other guys how the ball is moving and what type of pitches he is throwing." Frey said. "It also helps from the team standpoint by making the pitcher throw a lot of pitches, so we can get the starter out and get into their bullpen."

Bond looks to advance the runners to scoring position during his turn at the plate and hopes to give hitters, such as John McKee and Ryan Lollis, a chance to drive the run in.

"When guys are on base, my main focus is to move them over and get them 90 feet closer to home plate," Bond said. "I look for a good pitch to do it with, and I am looking to hit the ball to the right side of the field."

Along with their hitting, Frey and Bond also moved on the bases throughout the homestand. Jamieson said hit-and-runs are called out of the dugout, and certain players have their own green lights when it comes to stealing bases.

"I try to steal when it is a good time for the pitcher to throw an off-speed pitch," Frey said. "Or if the pitcher has a slow delivery to the plate, it makes it easier to steal."

The team struggled at times on the bases in the opening homestand, but Jamieson said the cause was inexperience in situations.

"We really haven't had many chances to run," Jamieson said. "We need to do it, and sometimes you're going to make some mistakes when you first start doing it."

Bond said the strength of the opposing catcher determines when or if the Tigers can be aggressive on the base paths.

"There are some guys that we will probably never steal on, and there are others that we will run on non-stop," he said.

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MU hitters motivate team toward win

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