2008 Scorpion Baseball Outlook
Posted January 18, 2008
Optimism is high for the 2008 UTB/TSC baseball team, which hopes to make the postseason for the first time in eight years.

The Scorpions return 13 players from the 2007 squad that finished 17-26-1 in its first season as members of the NAIA in 2007, will host the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament at Scorpion Field April 29-May 3.

Second-year coach Joel Barta knows that expectations are high after the success of Scorpion women’s volleyball team, and men’s and women’s soccer teams from the 2007 fall semester.

Advancing to the playoffs takes on an added significance in 2008 because the Scorpions are hosting the RRAC Tournament.

“If we don’t make the postseason this year, it will be a huge disappointment,” Barta said. “We have the opportunity to do something special this year in front of our home fans.”

To have success, Barta knows that the Scorpions will have improve their defense and cut down on errors. UTB/TSC committed an average of 2.71 errors per game in 2007.

“Without a doubt the major key to our success this year will be our defensive play, especially on the infield and pitchers ability to maintain a quality strikeout-to-walk ratio,” Barta said.

The Scorpions also had lapses late in games in 2007, blowing several leads in the late innings. “We were unable to play with a lead late in the game,” Barta said. “The guys were not used to playing with a lead and the belief was inconsistent. With the changes we have made in our roster we feel good about all of these areas, both physically and mentally.”

Barta expects to keep a run-run-run philosophy on the basepaths. “We do a lot of things in our offense that require a good baseball IQ,” Barta said.” Anyone who has ever watched us play can tell you no one runs the bases harder.  That is a constant in our program and a vital piece of what we build off of.”

In 2007, the Scorpions ranked seventh in the nation in stolen bases per game, with a 2.65 average per game.

Offensively, the Scorpions return their strongest hitters from last year – sophomore centerfielder Jacob Yousif, junior right fielder Andres Monterrubio and sophomore designated hitter Brian Dombeck. Senior catcher Chris Walker, sophomore second baseman Walter Blume and junior third baseman Scott Price also return.

Yousif was the team’s leading hitter in 2007 with a .331 average, and led the team in stolen bases with 18.

Junior Schaune Collins returns to the Scorpions after a one-year absence, and is expected to be the starting first baseman and hit fourth in the batting order.

Newcomers that are expected to be in the starting lineup include junior left fielder Ryan McDonald and freshman shortstop Ignacio “Alfie” Celedon.

On the mound, the Scorpions are hoping to improve on a 2007 team earned run average of 5.56.

“We have a staff that potentially can be very good,” Barta said. “We are not going to blow up the radar gun.  Our best trait is that we have pitchers and not throwers. The key will be if we stay within ourselves and execute our pitching plan.”

Sophomore Julian Moya and junior Daniel “Trey” Garcia are the only experienced starting pitchers returning, although other pitchers could be tagged starting assignments as the season progresses.

Other starters are projected to be junior newcomer Tony Lerma and freshmen Jesus Mendoza and Zach Moya.

Senior Jon Ali and Dombeck lead a pack of middle relievers, while senior George Sakai and Hardman are expected to be closers.

The Scorpions will play a 52-game regular season schedule, which includes 29 home games. During a 17-day stretch between March 2-18, the Scorpions play 17 straight home games.

The annual Alumni game will be held Saturday, Feb. 2.

For the complete schedule, click here.