GSU BASEBALL PREGAME: Tigers to Open Season
Date: Tuesday, February 12, 2002
"T. Scott Boatright"

GSU BASEBALL PREGAME: Tigers to Open Season

GRAMBLING - Grambling State baseball coach Wilbert Ellis isn't pulling any punches, he just doesn't know what to expect from his team this year. But he does know one thing - it's going to be fun.

Ellis' fun begins today as the Tigers open the 2002 season by playing host to Texas College in doubleheader action starting at noon on the Ruston High School field at the J.C. Love Complex in Ruston. Grambling will play at the Ruston field this season as Tiger Field undergoes major renovations.

"I love this time of year," Ellis said. "This is what we live for. I'm not sure what to expect this season, but it's always fun this time of year when everyone is 0-0 and dreaming of championships."

The Tigers return a solid nucleus of talented starters from last year's 27-25 team that finished third in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and have plenty of young newcomers who have the potential to become big-time players for the Tigers. The problem for Ellis is that he doesn't know when.

"We're retooling our infield a little, moving Kevin Camp from shortstop to second and playing a couple of new guys at third and shortstop," Ellis said. "We'll probably go with Andrew Murray at shortstop and Jacobi Frank at third. If those guys come through for us with the gloves and at the plate, then we could surprise some people."

Senior first baseman Alberto Campbell (6-2, 230) wielded Grambling's biggest bat last season with .316 batting average, .589 slugging percentage, 10 home runs and 46 RBIs.

"Having that kind of bat coming back is a big relief," Ellis said. "He did some big things for us last year and we're hoping for even more this season. He's been pretty consistent, so we feel about him returning to first base and serving as an anchor in or retooled infield."

Camp led the Tigers with a .323 batting average last season, with four home runs and 36 RBIs. He was also the Tigers' top threat on the bases, making good on 16-of-19 steal attempts. Camp posted a .851 fielding percentage at shortstop, but GSU coaches feel those glove numbers will improve this season."

"Second base is more (Camp's) natural position," Ellis said. "Last year he was a second baseman playing shortstop, and you could see that he never really felt comfortable there. I think you'll see good offensive numbers from him again, but this time I think those defensive numbers will increase too."

Murray, a freshman out of John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas, and Frank, a sophomore out of Rummel High School, are expected to provide big seasons as first-year starters. Junior infielder Eldred Hunter from Butler Junior College could push for playing time in the middle infield too.

"I think we have some great potential in our middle infield, it's just a question of seasoning and getting consistent play out of these guys on this level," Ellis said. "Obviously shortstop and third base are going to be crucial, but if we can get a couple of guys to take over and turn in strong seasons at the plate and in the field, then we might be able to do a lot. Those two positions are two of our biggest questions, even though we think we have good answers."

The Tigers return three outfielders with starting experience as sophomore Ryan Haskell takes over in left field, sophomore James Cooper returns to centerfield and senior Irving Butler returns to right field. Cooper batted .291 last year with four homers and 15 RBIs while Butler chipped in with a .288 batting average and 17 RBIs.

Haskell batted .200 in 21 games (14 starts) last year with a home run and six RBIs.

"It's good to have that kind of experience returning back," Ellis said. "What we're looking for this season is more production at the plate. We didn't hit the ball nearly enough last season. We need more from our batting order, and that includes those guys in the outfield."

Grambling batted .276 as a team last year with a .419 slugging percentage and .372 on-base percentage.

"Those weren't the kinds of numbers we were looking for," Ellis said. "Our opponents batted .310 and we batted .276. It makes it hard to win when the opposition is getting much more production of their bats. One of our main focuses this season will be to do a better job with the bat."

Grambling might get some help with the bat from junior pitcher Melvin Tolliver, who will also see quite a bit of time at designated hitter after missing last year with a broken arm.

"He does a pretty good job swinging the bat too," Ellis said. "It's a big bonus getting him back because he can help us on the mound and at the plate."

Tolliver, who went 6-3 with a 5.02 Earned Run Average in 2000, returns as a GSU starting pitcher along with seniors Roy Foster and Michael Darrington. Foster went 5-4 last season with a 2.56 ERA and 56 strikeouts while Darrington was 5-8 with a 5.65 ERA.

"Both Roy and Michael had strong seasons last year and I think we'll see even better things from both this season," Ellis said. "I feel real good with those two in my starting rotation.

Seniors Lonnie Hines and Heriod Holley are battling for the role as Grambling's fourth starter, with Hines going 0-0 with a 5.65 ERA in six appearances last year while Holley did not play last season.

"We have some experience coming in, and that's one of the most important things for a pitching staff," Ellis said. "I think we have a good mix on the mound. We just have to make sure to provide more offense this season.

Sophomore Jonathan Jones returns as Grambling's catcher after a strong freshman campaign in which he hit .294 with 18 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

For Ellis, the key to the season will be the maturing of his middle infielders and the team's ability to improve on last year's anemic batting performance.

"If the infielders can take over quickly and we hit the ball better than we did last year, then I think we'll be all right," Ellis said. "It's hard to say whether or not that will happen, or when, but the potential is there. If the players work hard and concentrate on the little things that can make a difference in a game, then we could see some good things this season."

The Tigers will be road warriors this season, playing games at the Ruston High School baseball field while renovations to Tiger Field on the GSU campus are completed.

"We'd rather be on campus, but it's exciting to see the work they're doing to the baseball stadium and we're looking forward to playing there, even if it's not this season. It's a nice field and we very much appreciate being able to play on it this season while our field is redone. We'll just have to make the Ruston field our home away from home this season."