Article

MSU Relies on Beulke

Ready to run

By Jim Rueda
Free Press Sports Editor

MANKATO — Racing away from home plate at full speed, Minnesota State University left fielder Kurt Beulke kept his eye on the ball. As he reached the warning track in left-center, the senior made an over-the-shoulder catch in time to cushion his impact against the wall and thwart a West Georgia rally.

"That was a great catch. It saved us a run," MSU head baseball coach Dean Bowyer said. "We're going to need Kurt to play like that and to hit like he did last year if we're going to be successful."

Beulke's play came in a 3-0 win Friday over West Georgia at Carrolton, Ga. The Mavericks split four games at Carrolton and now stand 2-2 on the season.

"I think we could have played a lot better down there," Beulke said Monday. "I was a little antsy with the bat and I think some of the other guys were, too. As soon as we get down to Texas and begin playing regularly I think we'll start playing like we can."

The way Beulke can play is usually pretty good. He batted .346 for the Mavericks last year with six doubles and six home runs in 39 games. He finished fourth on the team in RBIs and fifth in slugging percentage (.577).

"Kurt can do a lot of things for us," Bowyer said. "He can hit for average, he has power - including home run power - he runs well and he's a good defensive outfielder."

Beulke has no specific personal goals for this season, he merely wants to play well.

"It would be nice to make All-Conference again this year but, as far as batting average or RBIs or home runs, I don't have any particular numbers in mind. I just want to be a leader and help the team win."

Speed is probably Beulke's greatest asset. He swiped 5 of 7 bases last year and is fast enough to run down a lot of balls in the outfield that other players might not get to.

Beulke batted mostly first or second in the order last year but Bowyer has been playing him in the No. 3 spot this season. Landon Danelson is right behind him. The third and fourth spots are traditionally reserved for the team's best hitters.

The Mavericks have a big hole to fill with the graduation of Jay Nessler. The Mankato native batted .409 last season and led the team in hits (67), doubles (15), RBIs (50), on-base percentage (.515) and was second in home runs (7).

Hoping to pick up the offensive slack, along with Beulke, will be Danelson, third baseman Adam Sudbeck and outfielder Cullen Bahn. Danelson led the club with 10 home runs a year ago and had 11 doubles and two triples to go along with a .302 batting average.

Sudbeck hit .397 last season with a team-high .714 slugging percentage. Bahn batted .333 with three homers and 16 RBIs in just 66 at-bats. T.J. Therrien was also expected to contribute but he transferred to Bethel College in Roseville.

The biggest surprise for the Mavs so far has been the emergence of Ryan Greene at shortstop. He is a transfer from South Dakota State who was expected to be a catcher and back-up third basemen.

"Ryan really played well down in Georgia," Bowyer said. "We think we're set at short for this year."

The strength of the 2005 Mavericks will be their pitching.

Preseason All-American left-hander Matt McMurtry is penciled in as the No. 1 starter and right-hander Ben King seems to have moved into the No. 2 position. Righty Matt McDonald is also expected to make the starting rotation.

Kevin Dixon, who played with the Mankato MoonDogs all summer, is the closer. He picked up two saves at West Georgia State.

Among the other top pitching candidates are Dane Secott, John Huber, North Mankato native Ben Kaus and Andy Kreidermacher. Huber is already catching the attention of scouts as he's been clocked at 92 miles per hour this spring.

"Our pitching will have to lead us," Bowyer said. "Our team speed is OK but I was disappointed we weren't more aggressive in Georgia. That's something we have to work on."

The Mavericks return to action at 9:45 p.m. Thursday when they take on Concordia-St. Paul in two seven-inning games at the Metrodome.