Past Minnesota State baseball teams have had a lot of high-end talent, and you could see future professional players pitch and hit.
But those teams didn’t win 48 games in a season. And most of those team didn’t advance to the Division II World Series.
There’s something about this Mavericks’ team, perhaps a sum that is greater than the parts.
Coach Matt Magers talked about that following Sunday’s victory over St. Cloud State in the championship game of the Central Region tournament. This team suffered great losses from last year, losing three top pitchers and about half of the every-day lineup.
This season, there were questions about the young pitching staff, and there would be newbies at key positions such as catcher, shortstop and center field.
But you’d have to consider those questions answered, given the team has won about five of every six games and is playing for a national championship again.
Gone are pitchers Blake Schwartz, Danny Miller and Luke Putz, who combined for a 26-6 record last season.
Senior Ben Kincaid was the most experienced starter returning, and transfer Harvey Martin solidified the staff, though he was nearly unable to pitch last weekend because of illness. The emergence of sophomore Tyler Ockuly and Jason Hoppe, and the continued progress of sophomores Bryce Bellin and T.J. Larson, have made this a formidable set of pitchers who allowed only 10 runs in four tournament games last weekend.
Junior Nick Sutherland didn’t pitch last weekend, but he saved 13 games during the season and now seems to be transitioning to starter as veteran closer Mahlon Zimmermann has returned from injury.
Gone are shortstop Zach Rowles, catcher Steven Helget, rightfielder Aaron Berner and centerfielder Miller, who all batted more than .300 with a combined eight homers and 135 RBIs.
Freshman Connor McCallum, whom Magers almost redshirted this season, is batting .357 and had a big weekend in the region tournament. Freshman Nolan Johnson has played in 50 games this season, and his walkoff homer provided the victory over Colorado Mesa.
Junior rightfielder Mike Eckhart was the MVP of the conference tournament, and he leads the team with a .373 batting average. In center, junior Lucas Skjefte is batting in the leadoff spot, hitting .324 and having started 57 of 58 games.
It remains to be seen how the Mavericks fare next week. Two years ago, the team went 0-2 and made a quick exit from the tournament. This season, it seems the Mavericks are more prepared to make a run at the national title.
Every victory from here on in, the Mavericks set new records for success. While it should never be a surprise that the Mavericks have a winning team, this squad seems to have overachieved.
Much like the Minnesota State men’s basketball team that went to the national semifinals in 2010, teamwork and chemistry mean as much as talent.
Chad Courrier is a Free Press staff writer. To contact him, call 507-344-6353 or email him at ccourrier@mankatofreepress.com. Ffollow him on Twitter @ChadCourrier.
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
