Joshua Borges is a happy man.
That’s because the star third baseman sees a lot to like in his baseball team, even after a disappointing 18-39 finish in 2007, as it opens the season tomorrow against conference rival LSU-Shreveport.
“We accepted losing. I think that Coach Cassard has turned this program around, making everyone have a positive attitude towards playing the game,” said the management junior, who led the team in runs batted in, home runs and batting average in 2007.
“It’s not fun to lose. I think now, doing the little things right, he’s just got us more of a mentality of wanting to win,” he said.
One thing that excites Borges is the warm welcome of stability.
No longer will players be shuffled around like a deck of cards. Last season players jumped from position to position, most never getting settled in or comfortable.
Brian Mason, accounting senior, played four different positions – in one game. With more defined roles, productivity should improve.
“Guys gotta know when they come to the ballpark if they’re in the lineup and have some kind of idea of their roles,” Cassard said. “And they will for the most part.”
Borges is the rock of an infield that is going through a phase of transition. The team is fielding new starters at catcher, first, second and shortstop.
Stephen Carroll, sociology senior, was making pinpoint throws in practice and will take over for Jerry Campos, ’07, at catcher.
Todd Hubbell, management senior, will bring a power bat – he hit three home runs last season, second on the team – to first base after Marc Jaynes graduated last year.
Because Brian Mason, last year’s primary second baseman, is moving to the outfield, the middle infield will feature several of Loyola’s up and coming players.
At second, Sam Dodge, general business studies freshman, will fight for playing time with James Callahan, a general business studies sophomore who hit .300 in 13 games last season.
Taylor Domengeaux, general business studies freshman, and Chris Lizana, biology freshman, will try to replace shortstop Andy Rodriguez, ’07, who tied Borges’ .322 batting average last season and was a huge clubhouse presence.
While the infield could go through some growing pains, it is not anticipated that the outfield – last year’s strength of the team – is going to have the same problems. All three outfielders had significant playing time last season.
What they will have is tremendous speed. Between leftfielder Kevin Fontenot, physics junior, rightfielder Bobby Alvarez, mass communication senior, and centerfielder Mason, they had 42 stolen bases and were only caught stealing five times.
“I think this year definitely is going to be a game of inches,” Borges said. “With the improving players that we have and the mentality of wanting to win, I think it should be very, very fun watching us play.”
Chad Bower can be reached at [email protected].
