Mehlville coach excited about season

By STEPHEN GLOVER

For the Call

2002 was a rough year for Mehlville Senior High School baseball team.

The Panthers struggled to a mark of 4-16 overall and a record of 2-9 in the Suburban West Conference. Yet an influx of youth on the Panthers’ roster this season marks a possible change in the history of the Mehl-ville baseball program.

“I’m excited about the year,” Mehlville Head Coach Jim Kern told the Call. “I think we should be better than we were last year.”

Starting at first base this season will be senior Tyler Johnson. Johnson played in 10 games at first base last year and struggled at the plate with a .167 batting average. He recorded one double and drove in two runs on three hits.

“Tyler played 10 games for us last year at first base,” Kern said. “Defensively he’s solid and offensively he’s starting to hit the ball better.”

Junior Mike Loechel will start at second base this season for the Panthers after seeing limited action last season. Kern hopes that the junior will have the ability to drive in some runs while hitting in the middle of the lineup.

“Offensively, he’s pretty solid,” Kern said. “He’s probably going to be hitting in the middle of the lineup. We expect him to really drive in some runs this season.”

Sophomore Steve Braun made an immediate impact with the Panthers as a freshman as he carried a .289 batting average, while driving in six runs on 11 hits. Braun’s name quickly is circulating as being one of the best defensive shortstops in the metro area.

“Steve started every game for us last year,” Kern said. “Defensively he’s got to be one of the more sound shortstops in the area. He’ll start off for us in the two hole offensively.

Third baseman and pitcher Jimmy Hurst returns this season after having a stellar 2002 campaign. Hurst batted a team-leading .389 at the plate last season while driving in 12 runs on 21 hits. He recorded three home runs, three doubles and one triple. On the mound, Hurst appeared in three games, allowing 15 runs in four innings pitched.

“Jimmy’s a great athlete,” Kern said. “Offensively he’s got extremely quick hands and a ton of power. We’re expecting him to come out and have a great year.”

The catcher’s position will see senior Stephen Fee and junior Eric Tripp working behind the plate. Both players had strong season’s last year as Fee held a .308 batting average, while Tripp batted .289 at the plate.

“Stephen has an incredible arm and when he’s not behind the plate, he’ll be our designated hitter,” Kern said. “Eric ended up seeing the majority of the time behind the plate last year. I think he’s one of the best defensive catcher’s around.”

Senior Brian Correnti will start this season at center field after holding a .222 batting average last season. He also drove in two runs on just eight hits.

“Brian’s extremely fast,” Kern said. “He’s one of the top two speedsters on our team. We expect him to control the outfield and keep everything settled out there.”

Freshman Steve Thurmond will play in left field and serve as a starting pitcher this season. He’ll give the Panthers a new dimension in their starting lineup as a left handed pitcher.

“Steve will do a lot of pitching for us,” Kern said. “He has extremely good velocity pitching wise. He’s probably the hardest thrower on the team. Offensively, he hits the ball well.”

Right field will be shared this season by seniors Casey Turner and Mike Shore. Shore batted .222 with two runs batted in last season, while Turner carried a .192 batting average with one triple and two RBI. Both players will see time on the mound as well as playing in the outfield.

“Casey did see some time in the outfield,” Kern said. “He’s got good velocity on the ball and could end up seeing a lot more time on the mound this season.”

On the mound, Turner was 1-4 in 13 innings pitched, while striking out 14 batters. Shore was 0-3 in 26 1/3 innings, while striking out nine batters.

“Mike ended up throwing the most innings for us last year,” Kern said. “He’s a smart pitcher who does a good job at keeping hitters off-balance.”

After opening up the season at home against Northwest-House Springs this past Tuesday, the Panthers will travel to Fox for their first Suburban West Conference match of the year.

“We’re probably going to start Mike Shore on the mound,” Kern said. “Right now the freshmen are going to have to be in the lineup because they’re hitting the ball so well. Our success this season is going to depend on our hitting.”

The Fox game is slated for a 4 p.m. start.