Weekly Baseball Notes
3/15/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 15, 2001
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TOP STORY: The Michigan State baseball squad (6-5) heads to Athens, Ohio this weekend (Mar. 16-18) to take on Ohio University (3-4). The Spartans are coming off their nine-game spring trip having won six straight. The Spartans dropped the first three games of the trip at No. 19 Florida State and then won their last six to go one game above .500.
PICKING UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF: Sophomore Bob Malek enters the series with the Bobcats with an 11-game hitting streak. In addition, he is leading the team in six offensive catergories, including: batting average (.512), slugging percentage (.744), on-base percentage (.580), hits (22), RBI (13) and doubles (seven). Last season, Malek led the team in RBI with 58, which was tied for third best in a single MSU season. He also led the team in home runs (nine), total bases (109) and slugging percentage (.545). As a rookie, he posted a 13-game hitting streak.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCOUTING REPORT: Ohio Bobcats -Ohio enters the series with a 3-4 record. Thier offensive attack is lead by junior Tony Gandee, who is hitting .421in 19 at-bats with four RBI. Cory Keylor is the team leader in RBI with six. The Bobcats have five players who are hitting .300 or better
-The Bobcats' probable rotation this weekend will be as follows: Game One: Denny McGree-RHP Game Two: Chuck Lombardy-RHP Game Three: Walt Novosel-LHP Game Four: Casey McKinney-RHP ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEADING BY EXAMPLE: Sophomore Brett Wattles has been setting the tone for the Spartans this season from the lead-off spot. Wattles has started all eleven games at left field and has been the lead-off hitter for the past nine games. He is leading the team in total plate appearances (53), at bats (47), home runs (2) and stolen bases (5). Wattles has a batting average of .426 and has also knocked four doubles and one triple this year. He is hitting a staggering .625 with runners in scoring position.
DOMINATION: Junior closer Domanick Squires has made four appearances for the Green and White this season, saving two games in five innings of work. He has not allowed an earned run this season and has three strikeouts. Last season, Squires had three saves and a 5-1 record.
