With a wealth of experience and added depth, the foundation for the Southern Illinois University baseball team is firmly cemented as they enter the 2010 season.
The Salukis return seven starters from the 2009 team, including first team all-conference honoree in catcher Tyler Bullock and the schools all-time leader in saves in closer Bryant George. Both players were selected to the 2010 preseason all-conference team.
The roster features nine seniors and a collective group of young men who have learned the ropes of the tough Missouri Valley Conference and are poised to make their mark in the league.
"I like our team, I like our personnel and I think we are going to compete," head coach Dan Callahan said. "We have enough guys back to be pretty good on offense, and to be solid on defense."
Putting up the offensive numbers should not be a problem for the Salukis that have a good mix of power hitters and guys who can handle the bat.
Bullock has led the Salukis in home runs in each of the past two seasons. Adding in veterans Michael Stalter (five home runs and 31 RBI in 2009) and Aaron Roberts (.315 career hitter) along with sophomores Jordan Sivertsen and Chris Serritella, and the Salukis have the potential to do some damage at the plate this spring.
"I think we're going to have to be more of a successful hit-and-run team than we are a base-stealing team," Callahan said. "On the flip side, I like our power. We have guys who have the ability to hit the ball out of the park and I think we are going to score some runs."
The question then turns to the pitching. SIU has weapons they can use on the mound, if they can get and keep their pitchers healthy.
"We thought we had everything figured out in the fall, but now going into the season there is some uncertainty," Callahan said.
Senior Jimmy Cornell is the only returning starter from the 2009 staff, but the coaches feel they have brought in a young and talented group who will mix well with the returnees to keep the opposition's bats at bay.
Look for junior college transfer Randy Hoelscher to make an immediate impact in the starting rotation.
The Dawgs know one thing for sure, and that is who will be closing out their games. George, who already owns the school record for most saves in a career, was named first team All-MVC as a reliever in 2009, was a Brooks Wallace Award candidate in 2008 and a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American in `07.
"It's comforting for us to feel like we have the best closer in the league waiting to shut somebody down at the end," Callahan said.