De Smet Hoping to Ride Potent Offense Deep Into Postseason

After scoring at least nine runs in seven consecutive games, the De Smet baseball team was finally slowed down in a 6-5 loss to Vianney (12-2) on Tuesday night. The Spartans took on Edwardsville Wednesday.

Despite the defeat, it is very apparent that the Spartans are setting themselves up for a potentially memorable May postseason.

“You know what, our main concern is to win our first district game. We don’t place a great deal of emphasis on our conference,” said coach Greg Vitello.

“Our ultimate goal to play well at district time. That is really our only goal. These are all practice games to me until districts begin.”

The Spartans have a 9-4 record, including an 0-2 mark in the Metro Catholic Conference. Despite scoring a robust 9.2 runs per game, Vitello has seen De Smet allow 6.7 runs per game, which has him concerned.

The Spartans entered the 2011 season with high hopes centered on their 11 returning seniors.  DeSmet finished 13-10 last season, but only 2-6 in league play. Vitello’s squad captured a district title in 2009, and preparing for the postseason remains his sole focus.

Offensively, De Smet is formidable from the top of the order all the way through, which is why the Spartans seem capable of beating any team in the area. In fact, seven hitters incredibly already have at least eight runs batted in.

“Our offense has performed over and beyond expectations. We’ve been putting the ball in play with clean hits,” Vitello said.

“In the past we’ve been a hit-and-run team that moved runners along. This year it seems like we’ve had a lot of timely hitting, and have not had to give up outs with bunts and hit-and-runs.”

Senior second baseman Killian Knowles is the leadoff hitter and team catalyst. He is batting .326, with a team-high 15 hits and also 13 runs scored.

The team’s top power threat is senior infielder and clean-up hitter Zack Caldwell. He is batting .293 and has a team-high 14 runs, 17 RBI, six doubles and three home runs.

Sophomore right-fielder Brandon Gutzler is batting .333 on 13 hits with 12 RBI, senior shortstop Zak Larkin (.286) has 14 hits and 10 RBI and senior first baseman Chris Arends, who bats fifth, has added three homers and 13 RBI.

Still, it is the performance on the mound that may dictate the Spartans’ fate in 2011. No one has stepped up as a clear No. 1 starting pitcher, and this is a clear source of consternation for Vitello.

“Well, I’m certainly not pleased. We haven’t shown much focus and competiveness from the mound yet,” Vitello said. “It’s been very disappointing. You can’t give up walks and hit batters and expect positive things.”

Senior Kyle Bouman, who plays left field and bats third, has 14 RBI. He had two good starts early this season. Third baseman Brian Graf has been used as a reliever and even started in last Friday’s 10-3 victory over Parkway Central. He pitched seven innings and allowed just five hits in the win.

The one saving grace that could make a major late-season impact is the return of senior pitcher Eric Judd. He sat out last season because of Tommy John surgery, but is hoping to return soon. As a sophomore, Judd threw 28 innings with an earned-run average of 2.50.

“Hopefully we’ll get (Judd) back later this month, and that may stabilize us a bit. Other guys have been given chances but have not produced,” Vitello said.


(Note: Team statistics updated through Tuesday’s game. Player stats updated through Monday)