Beaver Baseball Opens Season 2-2 | Pratt Community College

Beaver Baseball Opens Season 2-2

By:Brian Niblock of the Pratt Tribune Tuesday, 5 February, 2008

TISHOMINGO OKLA. - Ryan Schmidt earned his first victory as head coach of the Pratt Community College baseball team Saturday. Schmidt and his Beavers defeated Murray State (Okla), 13-11 in eight innings to open their 2008 season.

After wining the first game of the doubleheader, PCC dropped game two 13-10. Sunday, they split with Murray, winning game one 11-2 then losing the tail end 9-4.

"I was very happy with how the guys played," said Schmidt. "I'm very proud of the guys. Everything we taught them they went out and executed."

"That has been our focus, having our kids prepared and putting them in situations where they'll be successful," he added. "They were outstanding."

Schmidt praised hitting coach Shane Wedd.

"Shane did a good job getting our hitters prepared," he said. "We put an exciting offense out there. We hit it out of the park. We hit it in the gaps."

But, Schmidt also liked his offense's balance. He is confident of his team's ability to utilize the short game, i.e., bunting, hit and run, along with the power game when necessary.

Spencer Siroky and Ryan Laing were singled out for their offensive outings.

"The guy who took the spotlight on the mound was Casey Lippoldt," said Schmidt.

Lippoldt tossed a one-hitter Sunday in PCC's win.

He lost a no-hitter with two outs in the seventh.

"He was outstanding," said Schmidt. "He was amazing for the first time out. Every pitch we called he delivered on."

Reliever Marco Quevedo earned the Saturday victory.

"Marco did a good job closing the first game," said Schmidt. "We're going to rely on him to close down games for us."

Schmidt anticipated a stronger outing by his staff.

"We didn't pitch as well as I had planned on," he said.

Location was shaky.

He attributed the shakiness to the short 3.5 week spring training.

Except for his pitching staff, every PCC position player recorded playing time.