Many Ouachita students pursue a ring by spring. Ouachita baseball players are pursuing a bigger ring by summer.
The Tigers set a school-record 51 wins last season en route to winning the South Central Regional Baseball Championship and finishing as National Champion runners-up. However, for this 2009 squad the goal is clear – this year they will not settle for runner-up.
The Tigers, led by new head coach Chris Moddelmog, have what it takes to improve upon a 50-plus win season, starting with pitching. Senior pitcher Patrick Lemmond has confidence in the men on the mound.
“The strength of our staff is experience,” he said. “We have eight pitchers returning. We signed two from junior colleges and have a core of talent that is experienced and game ready.”
At the plate will be a line-up with a growing reputation for intimidating opposing pitchers. Senior JoeDan Poulter, the speedy and very powerful utility man who can be used at multiple positions is one of the many weapons that fill the roster.
“We have Blake Lockwood at the top of the lineup who stole 50 bases last year along with Rudy Jovanoski who is our returning RBI leader,” Poulter said. “All and all this line-up will be one of the tops in the nation.”
Newcomer Will Gowdy, a junior college transfer who can both pitch and play first base, will be a player to watch.
“He brings a very powerful bat to an already dangerous line-up,” Poulter said.
The Tigers logged a good off-season in the fall, preparing for this year’s run back to Sauget, Ill.
“We are in the hardest conference in the nation in the hardest region in the nation,” Lemmond said, “and getting to the World Series takes working harder than every team we face.”
With a baseball-savvy coach, no shortage of talent and a competitive schedule, the Tigers seek to prove that this year they have what it takes to sit atop the college baseball world.
“We’re going to drop bombs,” said sophomore outfielder Cody Matthews.
