Senior Kyle Mach
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
The following is the third part in a five-part series previewing the 2009 Mizzou Baseball season. Today, we take a look at the 2009 infielders and catchers.
Both corner infielders return from last year’s squad, as senior Steve Gray and Kyle Mach will take their positions at first base and third base, respectively. Gray hit .317 last year after transferring to MU prior to the 2008 season, while Mach has a .273 career average, having played in 143 games in his first three years at Mizzou.
After starting 33 games at shortstop last season, sophomore Andrew Thigpen has been penciled in as the Tigers’ second baseman this year. Thigpen stepped in to the shortstop role last year and finished the season with the fourth-best average on the team at .324.
Junior transfer Michael Liberto will likely step in at shortstop in 2009. Liberto transferred to Missouri after two years at Delgado Community College, where he earned All-America second team recognition.
Senior Austin Holt will begin his second season at Missouri after transferring prior to 2008. In addition to playing in the infield, Holt could see playing time as part of the Mizzou outfield.
T.J. Schieber returns for his sophomore season after playing in 21 games last year as a freshman. He hit .364 in 2008 and could see time at third base or shortstop for MU.
Mach’s brother, Conner, joins the Missouri squad this season as a part of the freshman class. Conner Mach was a two-time all-state honoree at Parkway West High School in St. Louis and will likely challenge for a spot in the Tigers’ lineup.
Sam Lind and Ben Turner are two freshmen infielders that have claimed all-state honors, Lind at Roosevelt High School in Hartford, S.D. and Turner for Westminster Christian Academy in St. Charles, Mo. Turner could also play catcher for Mizzou.
In addition to his pitching accolades, Emens hit .358 with seven home runs in his career at Plano East High School, and could see time in the Mizzou infield.
The Tigers will have a veteran behind the plate. Trevor Coleman was the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year in 2007 and last season earned All-Big 12 second team honors. He heads into his junior season as one of the most experienced catchers in the conference, having played in 106 games with a career average of .289.
Ryan Ampleman enters his sophomore season after seeing limited playing time as a freshman, while Cole Mazurek will look to get his first game action this season after he redshirted in 2008.
Freshman Andreas Plackis hit .409 in his senior year at St. Charles (Mo.) West High School and will add depth to the catcher position.
