Pitching Emerges As A Positive During Fall Workouts

Three weeks of fall team workouts have quickly passed for the Oklahoma baseball team as the squad heads into its final days of practices and intrasquad games. At the end of the three weeks, head coach Larry Cochell still likes the effort he is receiving from his squad in all areas.

"We're pleased with the progress we're making and we really feel good about what's happening as far as some of the adjustments the players have made in swinging the bat and doing the things we want them to do," said Cochell.

A particular aspect of the team in which Cochell is especially encouraged with this fall is the makeup of his pitching staff. According to Cochell, the return of six hurlers off the 2003 team coupled with the addition of several talented freshmen and newcomers gives the 2004 edition a lot of depth at each of the specialty roles.

"We feel like we have a lot of choices," said Cochell. "Basically we feel like we have outstanding depth in our program which allows us to have some specialists in the starting roles and middle and long relief."

One key element of the staff that has already been determined is that junior righthander Jarod McAuliff will again handle the team's closing duties for the second-straight year. Amid speculation that the team might use the 2003 All-Big 12 performer as a starter this season, the coaches have worked the Stillwater, Okla., native exclusively in the closer's role throughout fall practice where he has continued to be effective.

"At the end of intrasquad games, we're setting him up for saves with runners on base in different situations and he's converted eight of his nine opportunities," Cochell commented on McAuliff's progress this fall.

Two freshmen have emerged from the group of newcomers whom Cochell expects to have an important impact on the staff this year. Lefthander Charles Benoit and righty Ryan Mottern both experienced great success in their careers as heralded prep players in Texas and have been able to showcase their worth during the fall workouts.

Benoit led his Southlake Carroll Dragons to a state title as a junior en route to earning state Player of the Year honors after finishing the year with a 13-1 record and a 1.23 ERA.

Named an honorable mention All-State selection as a sophomore, Mottern went on to finish his career as a three-time first team all-district and all-area pick as well as twice earning All-East Texas accolades. As a senior, he registered a 1.43 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 54 innings of work.

He likens the freshman duo's potential to that of three other current standout pitchers on the squad, Roberts, McAuliff and Purcey, who each experienced success during their first years.

"They're definitely going to have an impact for us as freshmen. They're as good as any freshmen that we've brought in at this time," said Cochell of the Texas tandem.

A final decision on whether team practice will be extended an extra week will be announced at the end of this week. A second announcement will also be made at that time as to whether the annual Red-White Intrasquad Series will take place during that final week.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Pitching Emerges As A Positive During Fall Workouts

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors