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Bob Keisser's P-T Piece

Injuries bite 49ers

Two stars out, but Weathers confident.

By Bob Keisser
Staff writer

Dirtbags coach Mike Weathers sounds reasonably calm for a coach who, two weeks into the season, has already lost two key returning starters.

Outfielder Sean Boatright pulled a hamstring in the opening series at Arizona State and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki suffered a left hand injury last weekend against Saint Mary's. Combined they hit .321 last season while driving in 67 runs, and Boatright only played half the season.

But Weathers isn't worrying that much. The Big West season is quite a ways away and he's pleased so far with the newcomers who have helped the Dirtbags to a 5-1 record and No.12 national ranking going into tonight's game at USC (6 p.m.).

Tulowitzki saw a hand specialist Tuesday and had an MRI Wednesday that was inconclusive, so he has another MRI scheduled. But regardless of the diagnosis, the All-American shortstop is minimally out three-to-four weeks. He can't swing a bat or wear a glove without pain.

Boatright, meanwhile, took batting practice this week for the first time but isn't ready to run the bases or play in the field.

For now, Evan Longoria moves over to shortstop, a position he played last year as an all-state choice at Rio Hondo College, and Danny Mocny, last year's starting third baseman, returns to third after starting the season in the outfield.

"(Evan) is a good shortstop," Weathers said. "We planned to play him wherever we could to get him into the lineup, and he potentially was our future shortstop. And Mocny played real well the second half of last season."

The Dirtbags have already discovered some gems from its new class and returnees, filling holes that became vacant after last season's stars moved on to professional baseball. Jose Hernandez has played well in the outfield, Brandon Godfrey has filled Mike Hofius' cleats at first base, and Tito Cruz and Chris Jones have played well as successors to catcher Brad Davis.

Weathers hopes to have Tulowitzki back by the end of March and the nonconference series against Cal State Fullerton, and Boatright by the series at Baylor from March 4-6.

This weekend the Dirtbags contend with USC, which is coming off two subpar seasons. The Trojans went 24-32 last season after a 28-28 mark in 2003, both seasons marred by injuries to key players.

Tonight's game has star quality, with the Dirtbags' Cesar Ramos (2-0) going against USC's Ian Kennedy, who went 7-2 last season as a true freshman with a 2.91 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 922/3 innings. Both pitchers were members of the USA National title-winning team in the summer.

DIRTBALLS: Game 2 of the series is at Blair on Saturday (2 p.m.) and will match Cody Evans against Brett Bannister, who went 8-3 in 2002 and lost the last two seasons to Tommy John surgery. The son of former major leaguer Floyd Bannister pitched three shutout innings in USC's season-opening shutout win of San Diego State on Tuesday. Sunday's game at USC (1p.m.) matches Marco Estrada against Jack Spradlin, the son of the former PGA golfer of the same name who went 7-1 with an 0.50 ERA at Southwestern College in 2004. … Kennedy also pitched an inning Tuesday, striking out the side in the ninth. … The Dirtbags have won the last three series against USC, all by 2-1 margins. … Mike Gillespie, who led USC to the 1998 College World Series title, needs two more wins for 700 in his career.

Comments:

I was planning on heading up to Dedeaux Field tonight but I have to assume that the game will be cancelled. Any official word? Does this mean a double-header at USC on Sunday?

# posted by  Joe : 11:32 AM

 

Just saw this at USC's website:

"Friday's baseball game between USC and No. 17 Long Beach State has been postponed due to rain and will be rescheduled for Wednesday (May 25) at 7 p.m. at Dedeaux Field. Both teams will play tomorrow in a 2 p.m. game at Blair Field in Long Beach with Sunday's game at 1 p.m. at Dedeaux Field."

# posted by  Joe : 11:34 AM

 

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