Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Baseball To Begin Fall Practice Monday
April 09, 2003 | Cowboy Baseball
The Cowboys return just three position starters from last year's squad that advanced to the College World Series and finished with a 46-21 ledger.
Head coach Tom Holliday is excited about the beginning of practice and knows he has some areas to fill. "We are glad to get back on the field and we will work this fall in finding players who can step in and try to replace the players we lost. We not only lost a number of fine players on the field, we also lost some of our team leaders," stated the fourth-year head coach.
OSU lost All-Americans in Lamont Matthews, Billy Gasparino and Josh Holliday as well as All-Big 12 performers Kevin Lucas and Jay McCullough.
The Cowboys have 25 newcomers that will battle to fill spots in the entire infield as well as the right field position
The pitching rotation will be anchored by All-Big 12 performer Matt Smith who returns for his junior season. Seniors Rusty Rushing and Frank Bludau also return, as well as sophomore Ryan Herrmann, who started against Alabama in the College World Series.
Sophomore Ryan Budde returns to man the catcher's spot while the platoon of sophomore Toby Rhodes and junior Jimbo McAuliff will once again roam centerfield.
Senior Carl—s Gautreaux is the leading hitter returning after hitting .356 as the designated hitter and leftfielder in 1998.
"We hope to have some question marks answered during fall practice and have a better feel of where our team is at going into the spring," said Holliday.
The practices are open to the public and fans are encouraged to attend.
The Cowboys will practice for four weeks, culminating with a 12:00 intersquad scrimmage on Saturday, Oct. 9.
