Bobcat Baseball Yet to Reach Peak

Although the Frostburg State University (FSU) baseball team is at the top of the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) with a 15-4 record, Head Coach Guy Robertson is convinced they have not reached their full potential.

The Bobcats are 15-4 and hold a 5-2 conference record, ranking third in the CAC. Robertson stated, “I’m happy at 15-4, but by no means am I satisfied.”

The coach also said that he had high expectations for the team at the beginning of the season, but they have not reached those expectations. A few players have underperformed so far this season. Among those players are 2013 CAC player of the year Kevin Kean, Dylan Shupe, and Rob Jennings.

Kean is having a solid season, but not the season he has been accustomed to. Batting just .300 this season, Kean is having a down year. His nine RBIs rank seventh on the team. Last season, Kean finished with a .452 batting average and 30 RBIs. According to Robertson, Kean’s average statistics are no indication of his play this season.

“Kevin’s numbers don’t indicate how well he’s played. He’s lined out ten times in the past week,” the coach said. “Kevin will be fine. He brings so much more to the table than that,” noting Kean’s contributions on defense and as a leader.

Shupe and Jennings are also having decent seasons, but both have room for improvement. According to Robertson, the team needs to improve on the “little things.” He would like to see his players have better situational hitting and not swing at bad pitches.

FSU’s pitchers are pitching well, but they also have to improve their performances.  Robertson said, “We have to pitch better in games when we’re facing an opposing pitcher who’s doing a really good job. We have to pitch in the clutch.” Kenny Georgius (2.18 ERA) and Ryan Redinger (1.38 ERA) are both 4-0, while Austin Poretz (4.85 ERA) is 3-1.

“When a really good pitcher is facing us on the mound, we haven’t been able to do the little things enough to win a couple more games in those lower scoring ball games,” said Robertson. He added that three of the team’s four losses were decided by one or two runs. “That’s one thing we need to do to get better. [We need to be] able to grind out the little things… We have to do the little things well to be on the winning end of a one-run ball game instead of the losing end.” Robertson stated that the pitching has improved over the past five games.

Although the team has not reached its full potential yet, several players have played at a higher level than anticipated.

“Some of the young guys are coming along faster than we expected,” Robertson said, adding that the Bobcats are 3-1 in games started by freshmen pitchers Ryan Callahan and Jake Stephens. Junior outfielder Nick McElfish has also come alive in recent weeks. Robertson praised McElfish for having a “huge heart and a motor that won’t quit,” adding that he takes advantage of every opportunity he gets. In a game against Southern Virginia University, McElfish hit a three-run homer. The team went on to win 7-3. Robertson added, “He’s going to continue to get more opportunities if he keeps performing like he is. It seems like every time he’s in the game he’s on base, scoring runs, or getting hits.”

Ricky Castro, Brandon Remalia, and Kam Stewart have also played well so far this season, especially on offense. Their contributions to the team have been invaluable.

While the Bobcats are having a great season, Robertson thinks they can be even better. “There’s a lot more in the tank,” he said. The Bobcats are full of potential, but it remains to be seen whether or not they will reach it. If they continue their level of play, they will find themselves in the playoffs, but they’ll need to play to their potential if they want to win the CAC championship.

The above picture belongs to FSU Athletics.