Baseball Opens Fall Practice With Early Scrimmage

Sept. 23, 2002

NORMAN, Okla. - The Oklahoma baseball team opened four weeks of fall practice with a split squad scrimmage at L. Dale Mitchell Park on Monday. Eighteen returning lettermen and 13 newcomers reported as a team after spending the first four weeks of the semester participating in individual workouts.

"Today we were just out there rolling up our sleeves and allowing everyone to get accustomed to what we're doing. We have a lot of work to do, but we're excited about what we have," said head coach Larry Cochell who is entering his 13th year at the helm of the Sooners.

Cochell's initial impressions following the scrimmage were directed at the character of the team.

"I really like the mental make-up of this club and I think its going to be a fun team to coach. These guys have a great work ethic and really have a passion for the game. They like to play and that's how you get better as a team."

Many familiar faces decorated the field in the first scrimmage as seven starters returned in the field and three more on the mound off a squad that produced a 35-27 record, finished fourth in the rugged Big 12 Conference and made its eighth NCAA Tournament appearance under Cochell. All three of OU's returning starting pitchers saw action as senior Austin Mix, junior Mark Roberts and sophomore David Purcey made their first appearances of the fall. Senior Eddie Cornejo and junior Denver Kitch also returned to their regular starting spots at second base and shortstop, respectively. Juniors Spencer Wyman and Ryan Richardson, who split starting catching duties last year, continued to gain experience behind the plate.

A pair of returning starters spent time working at different positions during the scrimmage. Senior Reggie Willits, who spent the majority of last season in center field, roamed in right field, while last year's starting third baseman, sophomore Matt Bose, saw time at catcher.

The pitchers, as well as the rest of the team, used the opportunity of simulated competition to polish certain aspects of their game.

"Purcey wasn't sharp today, but he's working on his breaking ball and a changeup and we've got a lot of other guys working on certain things. With Mix, we were working on his fastball and trying to get him to locate it better," commented Cochell. "We have specific things for the older guys to work on whereas with the younger guys we're just teaching as we go along."

The team will hold two more scrimmages during the first week of practice. Tuesday's scrimmage is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., while Saturday's will start at 10 a.m. The team's fall workout schedule will conclude with the annual Red-White intrasquad series which will be held Oct. 14-19. All practices and scrimmages are held at L. Dale Mitchell Park on the OU campus and are open to the public.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Baseball Opens Fall Practice With Early Scrimmage

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