Depth gives Judson reason to be optimistic
Unprecedented depth is leading to optimism as the Judson University baseball team heads into the heart of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference schedule.
The Eagles enjoy bench depth like never before, a rarity for a small college baseball team, according to Judson third-year coach Rich Benjamin.
"Usually at a small college you may have a guy or two that you really trust," Benjamin said, "but we honestly have five or six guys off the bench that I would trust if someone got hurt and we had to throw them in there. We have a lot more depth than I've ever had, so it's an adjustment for the coaching staff as much as it is the players."
The Eagles are already 20 games into their schedule after a season-opening trip to the Metrodome in the Minneapolis in February, followed by a southern trip on which they finished 6-2. Judson's record is 11-9. At the same point last season the Eagles were 7-13 and went on to finish with a school record of 30 wins.
"It's kind of a different feeling this year," Benjamin said. "Even though our record is better at this time than it was a year ago, we've played better competition. I think the expectation is so much higher that we feel we haven't achieved our best at this point. Even though we're 11-9, we certainly have not yet hit our stride. With the depth we have talent-wise, guys are still trying to get comfortable in all their roles."
Judson is led offensively by junior center fielder Levi Pippenger and sophomore right fielder Matt McHenry. In 14 games, Pippenger is hitting .442 with 4 doubles a home run and 14 RBI. McHenry leads the team with a .447 batting average and has 6 doubles and 8 RBI.
Other starters include second baseman John Amann, a Jacobs graduate who is hitting .333 with 3 home runs and 12 RBI in 16 games. Senior Zach Williams, selected last summer as an all-star in the New England League, plays third base. Heartland Community College transfer, catcher Andy Parcill, is hitting .354 with 2 home runs and 12 RBI. Junior Ben Vincent (Larkin, ECC) has smacked 3 doubles and a home run in the early going.
Judson's has become a tough lineup to crack. Sophomore Steve Janezic from Lake in the Hills has 6 hits in 11 at-bats (.545), mostly as a pinch hitter.
A talented freshman class is partly responsible for Judson's improved depth. Streamwood graduate Brian Brauer, the honorary captain of the Daily Herald All-Area team last spring, was slowed in fall practices by an injury he incurred last summer. Brauer is hitting .333 in 21 at-bats and forcing Benjamin to find ways to get him in the lineup.
Huntley graduate Zach Liebman (2-1, 6.43 ERA) has become the team's No. 5 starter and has won his last 2 decisions. He is preceded in the rotation by No. 1 starter Nick Krisman (2-2, 3.51), Mitch Smith (0-2, 6-92), Stefan Alinkis (1-1, 3.40) and Heath Grove (1-1, 10.92).
Former starter Ed Draper is succeeding in his new role as late reliever. The senior is 2-0 with 3 saves. Bartlett graduate Kevin Carmody, a sophomore, has an unblemished ERA in 42/3 innings.
The Eagles caught fire last season once the weather warmed up in April. They had already played 18 games this year before they were able to practice outside for the first time last Tuesday, a typical dilemma for northern college teams. But a good start thus far against a tougher schedule could be a harbinger of a memorable season to come.
"Last year you could see the right pieces were in place but we weren't hitting on all cylinders," Benjamin said. "Once April 1 hit, we were a tough team to beat. We can see that happening now and we're just waiting for it to click. When it does we should have a special team."