Purdue's Black during last season's Big 10 Tourney.
It was a cold and wet day at Capaha Field but Zac and I braved the elements and headed out to watch Southeast’s home opener. Okay, we lasted an inning or two. We had watched baseball in the snow and now we can add freezing rain to our list.
Anyway, the Redhawks continue to tote some serious lumber. The team rolled over Lyon 11-6 with the help of five home runs on the day. Matt Wagner led the offensive barage with three hits including two home runs while driving in four runs.
Catcher Jim Klocke muscled a pitch in on his hands over the wall for a solo home run.
Klocke along with teammate James Leigh were named OVC Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. I am anxious to watch Klocke progress over the coming months. With a powerful left-handed stick, he could be an interesting prospect if he is able to handle the duties of a backstop.
Southeast will welcome Purdue of the Big 10 this weekend. The Boilermakers are 1-3 after winning its first game against Cincinnati in the Big East/Big 10 Challenge . They then fell to an impressive looking Michigan, South Florida, and finally the Golden Domers of Notre Dame. Purdue has been led in the early going by Freshman outfielder Tyler Spillner who is batting .429. Third baseman Dan Black has provided the early power and brings a superb eye to the plate. In its game against the Fighting Irish, Black drew five walks.
Baseball America picked Purdue to finish fifth in the 11-team Big 10. Black was a preseason All-Conference as was Designated Hitter Brandon Haveman. Shortstop Barrett Serrato was rated as the fourth best newcomer to the conference. Black was a monster in 2008 when he hit 18 home runs and drove in 70 runs. Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 35th round last June, he is the league’s leading returning longball hitter. An intriguing power prospect, he set a Big 10 Championship record with three home runs in a single game.
The switch-hitter is listed as a player to watch for the 2009 Brooks Wallace Award.
Friday starter Matt Bischoff was considered to be one of the top three starters before the season started. Bischoff is coming off a season in which he posted a record of 6-3 with a 3.96 ERA in 77 IP. The junior right-hander was drafted by the New York Mets in the 47th round of the 2008 MLB First Year Player Draft. In 2007, he was named the Big 10 Freshman of the Year after posting a 2.85 ERA in 60 innings.
Purdue has not won a Big 10 title since 1909. That can only be described as Cub-like.
Here is my latest post over at the Birdhouse: St. Louis Cardinals and the Economic Crisis
Dustin Mattison
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