Tigers battle Texas A&M, injuries
Published April 13, 2007
Entering the 2007 baseball season, MU had an idea what its lineup would look like. But so far, the season has shaped up differently than expected.
In a matchup of two Top 25 teams, No. 25 MU will play host to No. 16 Texas A&M in a three-game series this weekend at Taylor Stadium. The competition will be tough, but Tiger players think they have a good lineup starting against the Aggies.
Sophomore pitcher Aaron Crow will start Friday night in the opener against the Aggies and fellow sophomore pitcher Rick Zagone will start on Saturday. Freshman Greg Folgia will pitch in Sunday's game. He missed his start last Sunday because he hurt his finger while fielding a ground ball in practice and was instead put in an inning of relief.
MU would have had a difficult time being ranked in the top 25 had it not been for several new players who stepped up to fill positions for the Tigers.
After missing only two games last season, senior Gary Arndt has surpassed that number this year by sitting out a large portion of the season on the bench with tendonitis in his throwing arm. Arndt is known for his clean fielding and has been an anchor in the Tigers infield.
"It's definitely a lot different," Arndt said of sitting on the bench. "It's frustrating to be injured, but you've got to put your best nine out there. Right now (junior) Lee (Fischer)'s doing a good job."
The veteran said it was hard to sit out his first couple games after starting so many games for MU.
"It was awkward," Arndt said. "I was just sitting there for the whole nine innings watching everybody do so well. But you've got to deal with it."
Arndt said his shoulder is feeling better, but he's not quite up to perfect condition yet.
"It feels really good," Arndt said. "I've been able to throw real well. It's not 100 percent, but it's definitely up there."
Fischer has filled in for Arndt while he is recovering, and the two have shared playing time at shortstop.
"I just go out there and give 110 percent every day," Fischer said. "That's pretty much all I can do. When I get a shot, I just try to do my best and make something of it and help out the team the best way I can."
Fischer will likely be the Tigers' shortstop next year as the roster holds no other shortstop unless someone is recruited.
The Tigers will have a tough battle against Texas A&M, but Texas native Trevor Coleman hopes to be able to step up. Coleman is only a freshman catcher, but he has started the majority of the games for the Tigers. Since taking the main starting job over Dan Pietroburgo, Coleman helped out the Tigers both behind the plate and with his bat. Coleman is tied for the team lead in home runs with four on the season.
He said the competition with Pietroburgo has made both of them better players and helped the team achieve its ranking.
"It's important to have two catchers competing for the job because it makes that job so much better," Coleman said. "You've got two guys coming out and working each day pushing each other. At the end of the day, the team can trust whatever catcher's catching."
