2006 Loyola Baseball Preview

Contending for the Gulf Coast Atlantic Conference title is a goal Loyola baseball skipper Doc Beeman has in his sights, but to do that he won’t rely on a bullpen he isn’t certain about. He’s looking for the ‘Pack to win with a tour-de-force of batting this spring.

“We are going to beat most teams by outscoring them,” Beeman said.

Loyola’s batting centers around infielder Brian Mason, management junior, right hander ace Bryan McCaulley, mathematics senior, and infielder David Lauricella, management senior.

They had .335, .364, and .313 averages, respectively, and knocked in 66 runs last year.

“Marc Jaynes returns as a big RBI guy, and Trey Fury and Andy Rodriguez do a great job with their at-bats,” Beeman said.

Jaynes, finance sophomore, had a team-leading 37 RBIs in 2005.

“All of these guys have been great to help get the younger guys caught up in our system and the way things are done,” Beeman said.

As for his bullpen, Beeman can’t help but notice the inexperience.

“We have some young arms that I know will come around,” he said. “Our biggest question this year is pitching. We have enough returners to help guide some of the younger arms, but lack of experience on the mound as a whole will have to be overcome. Roles will be sorted throughout the year.”

The ‘Pack will open its first weekend of ball in a three-game series against Faulkner. The starters for the series are Paul Neill, general studies sophomore, James Blakeman, communications junior, and Chucky Benach, biology freshman.

Last season, Neill appeared in 13 games, holding his opponents to a 3.06 ERA and tallying one save; Blakeman had nine saves.

At its positions, however, the ‘Pack enters the spring with a depth that finds Beeman at ease.

“We have great depth all around the diamond, which will keep guys battling for positions all years,” he said.

Loyola will be especially strong in the middle of the diamond, at the shortstop and centerfield positions.

“We are lucky to have the best shortstop in the league (Rodriguez) and a great centerfielder in Trey Fury.”

On top of their offensive production, these two ‘Pack stars will further fortify the lack of pitching experience with their hawking balls put in play by the opposition.

Behind the plate, the ‘Pack is especially deep. “We have four viable candidates to win the job,” Beeman said.

To offset losing 12 seniors to graduation, Beeman brought in prospects from ten different states, all of which have Beeman content with the depth of this roster.

“That can only make the team better and the program stronger,” he said.

This year’s squad looks to improve on last year’s 25-31 record, one that saw the ‘Pack mired in a three-way tie for third, despite a winning record (16-15) in GCAC play.

“We are expecting an improvement,” Beeman said. “A losing record isn’t acceptable for the talent we have this year.”

We have a great core coming back on top of the new players. As far as GCAC contention goes, we will be a factor this year.”

Yet, predictably, the ‘Pack may bat themselves into commanding leads in the early innings of some ball games before the inexperienced bullpen unravels and drops the game late. When the bullpen doesn’t waver, the ‘Pack should come away with some convincing wins.

They open the season at Segnette Field against Faulkner today at 5 p.m. and a double header Saturday, starting at noon.

Ramon Vargas can be reached at [email protected].