With his lineup set and three days left before the start of college baseball season, all Ball State University baseball coach Greg Beals has left to do is make sure his players' uniforms fit.
Beals was unsure of how sophomore Kolbrin Vitek would be used in the everyday lineup but has decided to use him as the Sunday starting pitcher and play him at third base the rest of the time. Vitek had also been in the mix for first base, which will now be anchored by freshman Ian Nielsen.
"It's a demanding game plan," Beals said. "[Vitek's] an outstanding athlete. We'll have to manage how much use his arm will get."
Vitek was named to the Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award Watch List in January, after being recognized as a first team Freshman All-American last year. On the mound, he had a record of 6-1 in 65.1 innings pitched, mostly as the Sunday starter. Vitek started 31 games as designated hitter and three times at first base. He hit .305 and drove in 24 runs.Vitek played third base in high school and said he is happy to return to the hot corner.
"I feel pretty comfortable with it," Vitek said. "I know how to manage both positions in the same season. Getting back to my natural position is exciting."
Beals said he wanted to minimize the impact of the lineup change, which led him to positioning Vitek at third.
"I like to keep things consistent over at first base because that affects the rest of the infielders also," Beals said. "The change being at third and not at first keeps us consistent with the rest of our infielders and how we're going to manage our defense."
In addition to the smaller disruption, Beals said he was partially moved by Nielsen's affect at the plate.
"I really like the team speed that we have," Beals said. "I like the little bit of power Nielsen brings to the lineup."
On Sundays, Vitek will remain in the lineup as the designated hitter, but unlike in the major leagues, he will remain in the lineup even if he is replaced on the mound by a reliever.
Key to the Cardinals' bullpen will be replacing closer Kyle Heyne, who was drafted by the San Diego Padres last year. Beals will call on junior college transfer Morgan Coombs in the ninth inning and will use left-handers Aaron Hammons and Tom Mueller to set up Coombs.
"Morgan Coombs will get the first couple opportunities for sure," Beals said. "We do have a couple options there, but I really like [Coombs and Hammons] plus Mueller as our main relievers to finish up games."
Ball State will get its first chance to test out its new lineups and uniforms Friday as its travels to Greenville, S.C., to take on Furman University in a three-game series.
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