Page 16 Lions' Baseball off to Rocky Start by Missy Mace Collegian Staff Writer The snow has begun to melt under the strong sun that glares in ones eyes. The birds can be heard, the frost on the windows can barely be seen, and the hard packed, frozen dirt is loosening into powder once again. Yes, Spring is here and Spring, of course means baseball. The uniforms and cleats have been unpacked and are now filled with players ready for another season of double-headers and road trips. The Behrend nine are coming into the new campaign with a positive outlook after last years disappointing (5-27) season. Coach Mike Bari's optimism stems from some solid From 8 to 10 pm in the Winter Garden A group of students, faculty and staff will hold an open reading of Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses All are welcome to attend and participate support for every man, woman and child's constitutional right to Freedom of Expression. performers from last years team plus the addition of some exciting new talent. The combination or-returning players, freshman, and transfer students forms a "young and inexperienced team, but has the most talent ever seen here at Behrend," said an enthusiastic Bari. Leading the troops onto the field this year are Reese Wetzel ( 1B), Tom Partridge (P-OF) and Darin Wotus (OF). Returnees expected to contribute include Bob Duma (P), Jim Goard (OF), Craig Frisina (C), Eric Haus(P), and Larry Jacob (P). Transfers include Scott Fleishman (P), Paul Banner (P), Percy Gum (INF), Jim Allison (DH-1B), Matt Croce (3B), and Ray Cerqua (P) will also play Tonight important roles. The freshman class consists of Bill Taylor (OF), Chris Kolivoski (OF), Pete Zulich The combination of returning players, freshmen and transfers students forms a young and inexperienced team that has the most talent ever seen at Behrend (INF), Kirk McKinney (INF), Greg Kotcamp (C), Paul Benim (C-OF-INF), Trevor Johnson (P), Frank Luchowski (INF), and Co-sponsored by The Collegian The Collegian Wednesday, March 15 Tom Bucy (P). Reese Wetzel is a three year starter who holds the career record for doubles at Behrend. Other returning three year starters are pitchers Tom Partridge and Bob Duma. Partridge lead the 'BB team with a 3.24 ERA. The last returning starter is outfielder Darin Wotus, who played at third last season. The Behrend baseball team sacrificed their spring break to play baseball in Orlando, Florida. Coach Bari could not make the trip due to the birth of his baby boy. Despite dropping all five games, their is still a positive outlook for the season. Frank Luchowski lead the team by hitting .500 on the trip. Reese Wetzel cracked two triples and a homer while hitting .428 this show and Bill Taylor smacked two round-trippers and collected three RBl's at a .333 clip. The string of disconcerting losses continued in West Virginia, as West Virginia Wesleyan College swept three games from Behrendt Coach Ban has some reasons for the early season slump. "The Freshman have had trouble adjusting to flying, the long road trips, and staying in hotels", said the Behrend skipper. "We have played some tough teams. The freshman have not played well and are disappointed." The road to respect and success will be a difficult one indeed, as Behrend's schedule includes eight Division II teams, six NAIA teams, and three Division 111 teams.
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