Murray State University Athletics
'Breds open 2005 campaign at home against Bradley
2/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds open their 2005 campaign today (Saturday) against Bradley in a noon double-header at Reagan Field.
The 'Breds seek to improve on last year's 17-35 mark and 11-16 record in Ohio Valley Conference play in head coach Rob McDonald's first season. Murray State returns 17 players from last season, including seven starters in the field and eight pitchers.
Returning for the 'Breds are the top three hitters from last season: Clint Griggs (.332), Austin Swain (.315) and Tyler Pittman (.309). Alex Stewart, who led MSU in runs batted in (35), also returns.
Griggs also led Murray State in hits (63), runs (48), doubles (18) and on-base percentage (.455), and had 33 walks to 34 strikeouts last season. Swain led the team in sacrifice bunts (7), often beating out bunts for infield singles last year. Pittman, a member of the All-OVC Honorable Mention Team last season, led the team in home runs (8), triples (3), total bases (94) and slugging (.519).
"We are looking for big things from all four of those guys (Griggs, Swain, Pittman, Stewart)," McDonald said. "They all have shown they can be successful at this level. Each of them are good hitters and overall good players. We are counting on them to have real good years for us."
On the mound, Craig Kraus returns after recording a team-high five wins last season. Kraus had a 4.79 earned-run average and had 44 strikeouts to 17 walks.
Also returning are Jon Ross Shelton (four wins, 56 strikeouts, 8.49 strikeouts per 9 innings), Billy Fares (four wins, 55 strikeouts to 14 walks), Tyler Pittman (4.41 ERA, 28 strikeouts to four walks) and West Harris (5.21 ERA, 59 strikeouts to 20 walks).
While McDonald is happy with the returning players, he also thinks this recruiting class can provide immediate help as well.
"We feel like we have a bunch of good kids coming in," McDonald said. "We have a mix of freshmen and junior college guys, and they have blended in real well with the returning guys. Everyone's attitude has been real good, and our work and preparation has been real good."
The 'Breds were picked in a tie for seventh place in this year's Ohio Valley Conference pre-season poll. The 'Breds' OVC slate begins March 25 at home against Southeast Missouri State. MSU's non-conference opponents this season include South Alabama, Vanderbilt, Mississippi, Southern Illinois, Memphis, Louisville and Kentucky.
"We feel like we're ready to go and ready to play," McDonald said.
