The 2012 college baseball season starts in Beaumont, Texas for The University of Portland, who is looking to put last year in the gutter, and contend for the West Coast Conference championship this season. The Pilots start their year at the Lamar Classic, at Lamar University in Beaumont, with two games on February 17: one against the host team (Lamar University) and the other versus another Southland conference opponent, Stephen F. Austin.
Coming off of a 24-30 season a year ago, the expectations are high this season to contend for the WCC and a berth into the NCAA baseball tournament. The Pilots had a good start last year, coming out of the gates 9-4, with a victory over a ranked Oregon Ducks program. The Pilots were 2-3 in the season series with the University of Oregon last year, very much competing with the top programs in the state. The team finished with an 11-10 record in conference and missed out on the field of 64 in the NCAA Tournament.
The Pilots return 7 seniors, with 5 starting position players along with all 3 starting pitchers returning in 2012. “We feel that all of our guys bring something to the table, and we are expecting to contend in the WCC this year and hopefully win it,” said assistant coach Tucker Brack. “We don’t circle anybody on our schedule, we take it one day at a time and we are looking forward to being in Beaumont February 17, to compete with Stephen F. Austin.”
Senior Kyle Kraus, from West Linn High School, will be the Friday night pitcher, first in the rotation, but the coaching staff is still unsure of junior Chris Johnson and senior Owen Jones, whether who will be number two and three in the rotation. Kraus had 14 appearances a year ago, with a 4.12 E.R.A, 102 innings pitched, and 59 K’s. Johnson had 14 appearances as well, with a 3-5 record, 83 and a third innings pitched, and a 3.56 E.R.A. He is the only returning starter who threw at least one complete game a year ago. He finished the year with 58 strikeouts. Senior Owen Jones is another horse in the pitching rotation, who worked 90 innings in 15 appearances and 64 strikeouts. He finished 5-6 with a 4.60 E.R.A.
The coaches are also very excited about two young freshman pitchers. Travis Radke, a 6’4 200 lbs. freshman left hander from Thousand Oaks, California is garnering a lot of attention. The other freshman to watch for on the hill is right hander Kody watts. He has good leverage on his follow through, being 6’3 185 lbs.
Returning in the infield is former freshman All-American Chris Kaupplia, who is returning from shoulder surgery this winter. Also returning is infielder Turner Gill, who hit .332 last year with 61 hits.
For the Pilots, the key is pitching as is with most baseball programs. If the arms are healthy and the depth arrives, this team will be an NCAA tournament team, with a very legitimate chance of winning the WCC. Brigham Young is a new member to the conference in every sport excluding football, so that rivalry should be a fun one to watch for.
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