INDIANS ALTER APPROACH; FOCUS TURNS FROM POTENT OFFENSE TO PITCHING AND DEFENSE

The approach will be different, but Southeast Missouri State University baseball coach Mark Hogan expects his 2001 Indians to have their usual run of success.

While Hogan is almost certain the Indians won't approach their offensive production from last year's squad that won a school-record 37 games, he is counting on a deep pitching staff and a solid defense to help pick up the slack.

All in all, Hogan will be looking for another solid season from the Indians, who have averaged 32 victories over the last three years. They open the new campaign Friday when Iowa State visits Capaha Field for a 1 p.m. contest. The three-game series will also feature 1 p.m. games Saturday and Sunday.

"We had a record-setting offensive bunch last year. You don't replace guys like that. Will we be the same type of offensive club? I doubt it," Hogan said. "But I won't apologize for our offense. I think it will take some time to jell, but I think we'll have a representative offense.

"We'll have a different kind of offense. We'll manufacture more, with the bunt, the hit and run. We'll play Whiteyball, whatever you want to call it. I think we'll have some guys hit for power, but we're not going to wait around for the three-run homer."

That's where the pitching staff should come in.

"Our pitching looks like a very, very bright spot," said Hogan. "In years past, we've been good up front, but down the line it would catch up to us. This club, I think we go eight or nine deep.

"I'm excited about the season and the type of ballclub we have. Our schedule is tougher than last year, but with our pitching, I think we'll be in most ballgames."

Offense has holes

Fueling last year's 37-17 record -- the Indians finished second in the Ohio Valley Conference for the second year in a row and reached the finals of the OVC Tournament --was an offense that produced a school-record 92 home runs.

But gone from that team are five standouts -- Jeremy Johnson, Darin Kinsolving, Charlie Marino, Kevin Meyer and Phil Warren -- who combined for 72 of those homers and who all batted at least .333, led by OVC Player of the year Johnson's .408 mark.

No returning player hit as high as .300 last season, but the Indians do welcome back five position starters and Hogan has added what he regards as a solid group of recruits to help pick up the offensive slack.

Returning regulars are senior catcher Jeff Bourbon (.253, eight HR, 33 RBIs last year); senior first baseman Shane Allen (.257, 5 HR, 19 RBIs); junior second baseman Clemente Bonilla (.292, 3 HR, 21 RBIs); sophomore shortstop Zach Borowiak (.299, 4 HR, 26 RBIs); and sophomore third baseman Denver Stuckey (.221, 14 RBIs), a Kelly High product.

Bourbon, who will share time behind the plate and at designated hitter with senior Mike Mitchell (he was injured all of last year), is entering his fourth season as a starter. Bonilla has already been a two-year regular and Borowiak is coming off an impressive rookie season that saw him named an honorable-mention Freshman All-American by Rawlings.

Around the outfield, which was gutted by graduation, the Indians will have three junior-college transfers.

In left field is Brian Hopkins, who hit .400 with 11 homers at Iowa Central CC last year; in center is Vern Hatton, who hit .380 with 10 homers at Kishwaukee (Ill.) CC; and in right is Tristen McDonald, a native of Australia who batted .428 with 11 homers two years ago at Iowa Central CC. He missed last season with an injury.

"Our outfield is a big question, but I feel like we rebounded well with the players we were able to sign," Hogan said.

Pitching looks stout

On the mound, the Indians lost two standout pitchers from last season in Lanson Debrock and Dan Huesgen, who combined to go 15-8 with an earned-run average of a little more than 3.00.

But back are premier senior hurlers Jeffrey Hilz (8-3, 4 saves, 1.71 ERA) and Tommy Thomas (7-3, 4.21 ERA).

Hilz, a lefthanded reliever, had the nation's second-best ERA last season and he was named OVC Rookie of the Year. Thomas, who turned into a dominant starter by year's end, struck out 92 batters in 72 2/3 innings.

"Tommy really came on last year and he'll start our opener," said Hogan. "Jeff really deserves to be a starter in our program, but the role he was in last year as a troubleshooter in different situations was so valuable for us. It's possible he'll be a starter, but for this weekend we'll have him in the bullpen."

Other returning hurlers, who primarily played supporting roles last year but will be counted on for bigger things this season, are junior Todd Pennington from Shawnee (Ill.) High (1-1, 6.75 ERA); junior Brandon Smith (3-2, 5.68 ERA); and sophomore Andy Davidson (1-0, 6.48 ERA).

Pennington is scheduled to start Saturday's game while the 6-foot-7 Davidson will get an early look as the squad's closer.

Hogan is particularly excited about his new pitchers, led by juco transfers Brad Purcell, Mark Frazier, Greg Lunski and Mike Robinson, along with lefthanded freshman Jeremy King.

Purcell, one of two Australians and one of three Iowa Central CC products on the team, was 8-2 with a 1.90 ERA last year. He is slated to start Sunday.

Lunski was 5-1 with a 3.25 ERA at Los Angeles City CC; Robinson went 8-3 with a 1.27 ERA at Chemeketa (Ore.) CC two years ago before missing last season with an injury; Frazier shined at Jefferson CC in Hillsboro, Mo.; and King, from Paducah, Ky., had an 0.98 ERA and averaged better than two strikeouts an inning as a senior.

"I think we've got 10 on the mound who are pretty salty," Hogan said. "I think we'll throw a good arm out there every time."

Tri-captains named

Bourbon, Allen and Hilz are the Indians' tri-captains for this season, as voted on by their teammates.

"They weren't given their roles, they were elected by the ballclub overwhelmingly," said Hogan. "They have all shown an extraordinary amount of leadership."

Locals on squad

In addition to the aforementioned Stuckey and Pennington, three other products from area high schools are on the roster.

Senior outfielder Kenny Gaebler from Delta has served primarily as a pinch-running specialist during the past three season and figures to fill that role again this year.

Freshman Josh Eftink out of Notre Dame, the area's premier prep slugger last year, has been converted to the outfield from the infield. He could possibly be redshirted this season.

Another freshman from Notre Dame, walk-on pitcher Mark Ostendorf, will definitely be redshirted.