Show mmabMu "tvHfi ItfthllfaMM — tot: r ZJJi tok inMMiMii ktea Depth makes Eagles contenders on the diamond last season by Shanz M Leonelli sports editor time an Eastern Utah steps on the mound will be some big shoes sitting there to be filled And every time the position players take the field they will be overcast by the shadow of a fierce competitor that used the pitching mound and Golden Eagles' ball diamond as a personal stomping ground Every Rob Vacl last seasons ace pitcher and the best prospect that the Eagles have yet to sec departed Price and headed down the path that all young ballplayers dream of playing professional baseball Vacl was selected in the second round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft by the Cleveland Indians lie is a high profile player in the Indians organization and is projected to be in the big leagues in three years Ilis talents on the field and work ethic off the playing surface have left a large "The thing about Rob is that we knew we had one great pitcher that every time lie threw we would get a win'' image over the baseball program sort of a standard of excellence for fut are Eagles to achieve So with such a prolific individual lost it would seem that head coach Eric Madsen might have some reason to worry for the upcoming campaign but early implications would not appear states Coach Madsen "this year we have three pitchers that have potential to go out and get us wins and when their out there arc others to step in and do a job" The pitching depth may just be the answer to filling Vael's shoes since obviously one individual isn't going to do the job but a solid rare of hurlcrs so makes it possible Also (he depth from the hitters seems vastly improved off of a subpar hitting squad of a year ago' Madsen comments "Last year we had a couple of guys in the lineup that hit well but as a whole we were not a great hitting team" "Now we've got IS hitters that could be in the lineup every day We've suffered in depth before but this season we have got good depth" It will be an Eastern Utah team with a good nucleus of returners along with some solid transfers to build a good base around for the potential run at a region championship Snow College transfer and last season Junior College Willie Eyre will display his talents in an Eastern Utah jersey Josh liarroon who was headed to Utah Valley will be a valuable asset also to the eagles outfielder Zack Van Dykcn is a transfer from Dixie as well as pitcher Lance Purser Four-yeschool Eastern Oregon transfcrTom Bramble w ill also aid the an All-Regi- ar Eagles Toss returning scconJ baseman and player Tyler Peterson and I leath Jennt who is a utility into the mix and the player Eagles are looking like a squad to reckon with Josh Johnston and Mike Dahlc are two experienced pitchers returning to anchor the pitching rotation Jason Marline and Shun Leoneili each hing back playing lime Irom a vcir ago as well BrHE Bovein hit around JMJ before leaving oru mission ishack and pitcher Dustin Smith is reluming from his church duties "We have the foundation of a good club We are talented now wc just All-Regi- All-Regi- need the maturing and understanding of how to make our talent win" said Madsen "You need a lot of good breaks to be but that will come if wc have dedication and put the lime in to successful is c itiS lilfiMS CiS H limn) ti TD-I- C i m prepare" Coach Madsen has planted a seed in his short tenure thus far at the healm of the program and each season it seems to grow bigger and stronger Last year was the first season that the squad has competed with some teams in its division and a couple of injuries and breaks here and there proved to be (he deciding factor This season Coach madsen just might have the luxury in his teams depth to deal more easily with whatever adversity might he sent his direction In previous seasons Eastern Utah has been a spoiler so to speak not really contending but making some noise to shake up the other squads On the up and coming season the Eagles will be making the same noise hut the rest of the region had better be listening because this is a team that seems certain to fill some big shivs and cast a positive image of its own on Eastern Utah baseball CKKDIT AI’I'KOVAI RKyi'IRKI) |