Issue date: 5/5/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Alex Turco Junior Andrew Holy slides into first base during April 11 and 12 three-game series against Centre College

In a season of high expectations, the Tiger baseball team's lackluster effort Saturday against the University of Chicago put into perspective a season of ups and downs that never got on the right track.

"Usually we have that run where we have nine or 10 games in a row where we will be hot," said senior outfielder Justin Weiner. "We just didn't have that this year."

In the first game Chicago jumped out to an early 2-1 lead in the third inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Chicago scored five runs to put the lead at 7-1, putting the Tigers in a deep hole. The scoring surge was capped off when junior Mitch Hannum gave up a two-run homer to Chicago designated hitter Trace Capps. DePauw would go on to lose 7-1.

In the second game of the weekend, the Tigers focused on giving playing time to underclassmen and key reserves. Most of the normal batting order either did not start in the contest or only saw one at-bat. Weiner, senior catcher Jack Gavin and senior third baseman Mike Stout all only saw one at bat in the game and were replaced by underclassman.

Unfortunately, the Tigers were still unable to secure a victory, dropping the second game 10-6.

"It was kind of hard to get up for those games and be ready to play," Weiner said. "There wasn't much to play for besides pride."

With the 2009 season at an end, the Tigers finished with a 22-19 record and a 10-5 conference record. But this year's record did not match the expectation following last year's 35-win season. All season long, questions about the pitching staff and inconsistent offense plagued the Tigers.

"We were a very young team, with only one senior on the pitching staff, four seniors as position players," Weiner said. "It was certainly a team driven by younger guys, which bodes well for next year."

It wasn't all bad for the Tigers this season. Despite not reaching preseason goals of winning the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship and acquiring a spot in the national tournament, the team found a lot of young talent for the coming seasons and put together some impressive games.

"We've noticed all season that it's just been a roller coaster with a lot of ups and downs," said junior Chris Schenk. "Some days we looked unbeatable, other days we couldn't hit, couldn't pitch or couldn't field."

With standout pitchers like junior Brad Gerlach and sophomore Mike Peterson back next year, as well as a potent offense that includes returning starters freshman Rob McPike, sophomore Ben Gardner, junior Jon Newman, junior Taylor Hoffman and junior Andrew Holy, the team should be strong next year.

"It's nothing but encouraging though for next year," Schenk said. "We know we are bringing a lot of talent back even though we are losing some good ball players."

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