2008 Woodie Awards
Veteran pitchers anchor rotation
By Mike Mallory
Rocket Editor-in-Chief
Issue date: 3/3/06 Section: Sports Extra
It is often said that there is no substitute for experience. If that sentiment is true, then the five arms that make up the starting pitching rotation of the Slippery Rock University baseball team are primed for a breakout season.
The pitching staff consists of three seniors and two juniors, led by senior John Katich. Katich, who is returning from Tommy John surgery, said it feels "awesome" to be back in the rotation for 2006.
But Katich said it's not going to be an easy task accepting the challenge of leading the staff.
"Everything seems to be coming back pretty good," Katich said. "It's kind of tough coming back from surgery, but I'm well aware of the pressures of being dubbed the No. 1 starter."
Katich said while his goal is to win every game he pitches this season, he would especially enjoy breaking his career mark in strikeouts. He struck out 42 batters during the 2004 season.
Katich will be limited to 80 pitches for the time being, and his throwing program will be under careful supervision because of last season's shoulder injury.
The rotation also includes seniors Colin Scott (5-2, 5.36 ERA in 2005) and Dan Herisko (5-2, 2.48, five saves). Juniors Derek Blyzwick (2-2, 6.52 ERA) and Troy Wilson, who is also returning from an injury plagued 2005 campaign, round out the Rock's returning starters.
Herisko, who earned first team NCAA Division II All North Atlantic Honors in 2005, said the team has established a very solid core, primarily the pitching staff.
"I think our team as a whole has gotten real close this year," Herisko said.
Herisko spent part of last season as the team's closer until joining the rotation during mid-season.
"As a closer, you have to be ready every single game," Herisko said. "As a starter, you get to prepare yourself for that day."
Coach Jeff Messer said he feels this is the deepest pitching staff he has coached.
"In the past, we felt that we had to put a big number up on the board," Messer said. "This year, we have much more pitching depth."
The pitching staff consists of three seniors and two juniors, led by senior John Katich. Katich, who is returning from Tommy John surgery, said it feels "awesome" to be back in the rotation for 2006.
But Katich said it's not going to be an easy task accepting the challenge of leading the staff.
"Everything seems to be coming back pretty good," Katich said. "It's kind of tough coming back from surgery, but I'm well aware of the pressures of being dubbed the No. 1 starter."
Katich said while his goal is to win every game he pitches this season, he would especially enjoy breaking his career mark in strikeouts. He struck out 42 batters during the 2004 season.
Katich will be limited to 80 pitches for the time being, and his throwing program will be under careful supervision because of last season's shoulder injury.
The rotation also includes seniors Colin Scott (5-2, 5.36 ERA in 2005) and Dan Herisko (5-2, 2.48, five saves). Juniors Derek Blyzwick (2-2, 6.52 ERA) and Troy Wilson, who is also returning from an injury plagued 2005 campaign, round out the Rock's returning starters.
Herisko, who earned first team NCAA Division II All North Atlantic Honors in 2005, said the team has established a very solid core, primarily the pitching staff.
"I think our team as a whole has gotten real close this year," Herisko said.
Herisko spent part of last season as the team's closer until joining the rotation during mid-season.
"As a closer, you have to be ready every single game," Herisko said. "As a starter, you get to prepare yourself for that day."
Coach Jeff Messer said he feels this is the deepest pitching staff he has coached.
"In the past, we felt that we had to put a big number up on the board," Messer said. "This year, we have much more pitching depth."
