The DePauw baseball team looks to rebound from its two losses last weekend with a big weekend of scheduled games.
The Tigers will play at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Friday night, a double-header against Concordia University Chicago and Rose-Hulman at Terre Haute on Saturday. They will end the weekend with a game against Concordia.
"We just need to go out and focus on each pitch, our defensive chance and plate appearance," junior outfielder Brendon Pashia said. "All around we need to play better baseball. It's early in the season so we are not panicking. We are just excited to get back out there this weekend against Concordia and Rose Hulman and string together some better all around games".
Head coach Jake Martin anticipates a good weekend for the Tigers.
"I expect to come back from this weekend with wins against some good teams," Martin said. "I think we'll come out a little more relaxed than we were last weekend."
Senior Zach Galyean, who suffered an injury in last weekend's games, will be back in the lineup playing in the outfield. However, DePauw will most likely be without junior outfielder Rob Stein who suffered a knee injury, crashing into the outfield wall last weekend. Stein hits second in the batting order and went 3-6 in the team's first round of games.
"We haven't received the final word of whether Rob (Stein) can play or not, but he is probably going to be out," Martin said.
With so many games this weekend, the Tigers will use a good majority of their pitching staff. Martin plans on using all six starters.
"If we get cooperation from the weather, this will be a good weekend to see where guys are at on the mound," Martin said. "All the games are nine innings and I know lots of the guys are looking forward to play ball, so this will be a good time for them to feel some things out."
The weather has caused the Tigers to postpone or cancel games this early in the season. The squad has already had six games cancelled due to rain or snow. These first few games are the most important for the team to prepare for the season.
"For one, we need to get outside to get guys comfortable," Martin said. "You also can't under value how important at bats are early at the season for the guys."
Early non-conference games can also be resumé builders for the NCAA tournament at the end of the year. While DePauw did not win its conference last year, it was able to receive an at-large bid due to its strong non-conference wins.
"Our ultimate goal is to win the NCAC West and that is where our focus is," Martin said. "But if we're fortunate enough to win these good region games, it can help with an at-large bid."
