January 30, 2004

Back to the table of Contents Page

Classifieds

Palo Alto Online

It'll be a call to arms

by Rick Eymer

Like most college baseball coaches, Stanford's Mark Marquess looks over toward the bullpen every year and wonders who might step forward to become the new staff pitching ace.

When he looks his staff over this season, Marquess sees a lot of potential but not much experience. Sophomore Mark Romanczuk (12-2 last year with a 4.01 ERA) is the only returning pitcher to start more than two games last season. Marquess will be counting on some young arms to handle a big job when the season gets underway today at 6 p.m. against No. 4 Cal State Fullerton in Sunken Diamond.

Sixth-ranked Stanford and the Titans continue their series with games at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

"The key is the development of the pitching staff," said Marquess. "Hopefully we can generate enough offense until the pitching proves itself."

The offense appears to be in good shape with seven returning position players, including preseason All-Americans in senior Sam Fuld, junior Danny Putnam and sophomore John Mayberry, Jr.

Fuld, who was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 24th round last year, returned to Stanford for his senior season after deciding to spur the Cubs' offer.

"It was a tough choice," said Fuld, among the school career leaders in several categories. "The Cubs made a generous offer and I had to think long and hard on it. You just can't put a price tag on coming back to Stanford for a senior season. No matter what happens, I won't regret it. The worst thing is I'll have a Stanford degree."

Fuld returned, in part, because he felt there was some unfinished business. The Cardinal (51-18 last year) were the national runner-ups to Rice, dropping a frustrating 14-2 decision in the final game of the three-game championship set. In Fuld's three years, Stanford has reached the championship game twice, and finished third once.

"That definitely played a part," Fuld said. "That was a tough way to end the season. It left me a little hungry. But we're not going to be satisfied just getting back. It will be a disappointment if we don't get back and win it all."

Fuld and Putnam, who hit .348 with 16 home runs and 66 RBI last year, make up two-thirds of what should be of one college's best outfields even with the loss of Carlos Quentin to professional baseball (he was drafted in the first round by the Arizona Diamondbacks).

"Outfield is a huge strength for us, both offensively and defensively," said Marquess. "We have as good of an outfield that we have had in a long time."

Fuld and Putnam are joined by senior Brian Hall, slated to begin the season in right field. Don't be surprised though if Hall winds up playing several different positions this year. He played six different positions last year.

"This may be a better team," said Hall. "We have a lot more experience than we did and I think we really do have a better offense. (Ryan) Garko and Quentin each had great seasons but sometimes we relied on them a little too much. This year we're going to pick up each other and we should all be able to contribute."

Mayberry, who earned the starting job at first base to begin last year, will anchor a solid infield that also includes sophomore Chris Lewis at second, sophomore Jed Lowrie at shortstop and senior Jonny Ash at third. Lewis is the least experienced of the group, having made 19 starts and appeared in 30 games last year.

Junior Donny Lucy, considered one of the top defensive catchers around, replaces Garko and junior Chris Carter starts the year as the primary designated hitter.

Stanford will also have a local flavor to it, with Menlo School grad Ryan Seawell and Menlo-Atherton grad Zach Gianos on the roster. Mountain View resident Cameron Matthews and Pacifica resident Greg Reynolds also grace the roster.

Reynolds may be one of the key figures on the pitching staff as Marquess looks to retool the rotation. Romanczuk is the unquestioned ace, with sophomore Matt Manship, who led the team with nine saves last year, likely to take the No. 2 spot in the rotation.

The third starting spot should come out of a group that includes Reynolds, freshman Matt Leva, sophomore Jeff Gilmore, senior Drew Ehrlich, sophomore Kodiak Quick and junior Mark Jecmen.

"We have to count on some freshmen to pitch for us," said Marquess. "We have four or five good arms and hopefully they will develop."

Both Fuld and Hall said they see Gilmore and Leva becoming the top candidates.

"Gilmore is a crafty right-hander," said Fuld. "He's been real impressive and I look for good things from him."

Leva, a 155-pounder who is a couple inches under six feet, threw a school record five no-hitters and won 24 games during his career at Galveston Ball High School in Texas.

"He's really competitive," said Hall.

Senior David O'Hagan appears set as Stanford's closer, while junior Jonny Dyer, junior Steve Papazian and sophomore Pete Duda should see expanded roles in the bullpen.

Sophomore Noah Hawthorne, along with freshmen Blake Holler, Logan Ardis and Jeff Stimpson are also in the pitching mix.

As for position players, sophomores Chris Minaker and John Hester will add some depth, while freshmen Adam Sorgi, Josh Corn, Joe Ayers, Jim Rapoport and Ryan Kissick could see action.

"We definitely want to win in the postseason," said Hall. "After getting so close three years in a row there's kind of a bittersweet feeling to it. Not having won is hanging over our heads."

Stanford was swept by Cal State Fullerton to start last season, and then lost two of three to Florida State. Instead of sending the Cardinal into a tailspin, the team used those games to reevaluate their season.

"More than anything we changed our approach," said Hall. "We thought we were better and then we got swept. We knew we had to change things. Rankings are great but they don't mean anything until you get out there and prove it. We want to be No. 1 at the end."

Junior pitcher Anthony Rea, who prepped at Gunn High, returns to action for Santa Clara. After spending his true sophomore year as a redshirt rehabbing a shoulder injury, Rea made 37 appearances for the Broncos last year and was the team's top set-up man. He struck out 31 in 41 1-3 innings with a 3.05 ERA and earned comeback player of the year honors for the Broncos.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.