Murray State University Athletics
'Breds open 2004 season in Birmingham with new coach, new players, same spirit
2/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds, which won the 2003 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, begins 2004 with a new staff and several new players but with the same spirit that brought them the 2003 NCAA Championship berth.
The 'Breds open the season at Alabama-Birmingham this weekend, with a Friday game at 6 p.m., a Saturday game at 2 p.m. and a Sunday contest at 1 p.m.
First-year head coach and former Thoroughbred Rob McDonald takes over the reins of the team, which returns from a 24-31 record last season and a 10-11, fourth-place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference.
"It feels good to be here," McDonald said. "We've got a lot of work to do. Our players have been working hard and have been very receptive to what we are trying to instill."
Joining McDonald on the coaching staff are assistant coaches Paul Wyczawski (pron.: why-CHOW-skee), Justus Scott and former 'Breds catcher Charlie Ward.
Only 15 of the 30 players on the 2004 roster are returnees from last year's title team. Only last year's top hitter, Geoff Kirksey (.332, 68 hits, eight home runs, 42 runs batted in), Ike Bridwell (.278) and Alex Stewart (.256, seven home runs, 30 RBIs, 22 walks to 21 strikeouts) return with significant at-bats from the 2003 season.
On the mound, the 'Breds will rely on the experience of Craig Kraus (3-6, 4.03 earned-run average), Chandler Shepherd (4.71 ERA), Jesse Rhoades (3-3, 5.30), Billy Fares (1-0, 21 strikeouts, nine walks) and Bart Peach (25 strikeouts, nine walks). Despite a lackluster regular season, Peach came through in the OVC Tournament in a do-or-die game against Eastern Illinois, starting the game and going seven innings, ceding only one run and striking out eight.
The 'Breds lost 10 players to graduation last year.
Fifteen newcomers join the squad this season, including six transfers. Local pitchers West Harris (Paducah, Ky.) and Tyler Pittman (Wickliffe, Ky.) come to Murray State from the University of Kentucky, while hurler Jake Ociesa (pron.: oh-CHESS-ah) comes in from Mississippi State. All three are left-handers.
"We have a lot of guys who are going to get a chance to play," McDonald said. "There will be competition for playing time, and that can be good for us. We've got a lot of guys who can play at this level who will go out and work hard and play to the best of their ability."
Murray State's first home series will be March 5-7 against Memphis.
