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 Wolves Baseball Preview 1999

The 1999 Northern State University Wolves baseball team will look to improve on a year in which they more than doubled the win total from 1997 and broke two school offensive records. Last season's squad set new school marks by belting 40 home runs and posting a team batting average of .310.

With eight returning position players – including five who batted over .300 – and four returning pitchers, the Wolves have a solid nucleus of players who are back and fired up for '99.

The 1999 Wolves will once again face a brutal schedule of top notch opponents.  The Wolves open their season in the Metrodome against Division I Northern Iowa and have five North Central Conference schools on the schedule. The Wolves' own Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference has also proven to be a very tough league, featuring three regionally ranked teams from the end of the 1998 season in No. 2 Winona State, No. 5 Southwest State and No. 8 Minnesota-Duluth.

Here is a positional breakdown of the 1999 NSU squad:

Pitching
With a proven lineup returning, the 1999 pitching staff must carry a lot of weight for the Wolves to be a successful team within the conference. Two newcomers, Jason Kueffler (transfer from South Dakota State) and Cory Ritter, will look to add some quality innings as will returning starters Josh Roueche (junior, Green River, Wyo.) and Brad Thorstad (sophomore, Morris, Minn.). Veterans Jake Foslien (sophomore, Benson, Minn.) and Jeff Gilbertson (senior, Wright, Wyo.) will most likely be called upon for bullpen help or emergency starts.

"Our pitchers have been focusing on getting their arms in shape and hitting spots with all their pitches," pitching coach Tim Prosser said. "I have a feeling if our pitchers have a good year we as a team will have a good year. We have some good arms and a lot of potential."

Infield
The infield will feature a solid group of four returners in Al Kjenstad (senior 1B, Aberdeen, .280 BA), Josh Roeche (junior 3B/ 2B, Green River, Wyo., 308 BA), Gavin Smith (sophomore 2B, Fargo, N.D., 320 BA), and Jeremy Schmidt (junior SS, Appleton, Minn., 270 BA). All have game experience and will be asked to contribute both offensively and defensively. All-NSIC selection Ben Parkin (junior, Crookston, Minn.) will see time at both DH and third base.

Schmidt and Smith will be called on to provide a steady double-play combination up the middle.  With the power hitters of the lineup – Parkin, Roueche and Kjenstad – contributing at the corners.

"Hitting is probably our infield's strongest weapon," assistant coach Carl Pierson said. "I feel we can provide a steady defense with some proven offensive producers. Both are critical to our team's success."

Outfield
Returning in the outfield are last year's starting center fielder, Chris Osborn (junior, Redfield, S.D., .300 BA), and starting right fielder Kerry Jacobson (.314). South Dakota State transfer Andrew Overland will provide both a steady bat and left field experience. Junior Damian Lampl (Fargo, N.D.) brings speed and defensive leadership to the outfield. He will see time as both a substitute and a starter. Freshman Eric Borge will see action as both a pitcher and a reserve outfielder.

Catchers
Freshman Bill Schmitt will fill the void left at the catcher position from the 1998 squad. Bill has all the tools of a great catcher and a very live bat to go with it. Sophomore Brad Thorstad was converted from a third baseman to catcher to provide the Wolves with a solid backup and good speed on the base paths.