UM’s Ballard can’t wait to face Titans

AUSTIN, Texas – University of Maine junior righthander Mark Ballard knows he will have his hands full in his team’s NCAA Central II Regional opener against 1992 College World Series runnerup Cal State-Fullerton. But he can’t wait to take the mound in Friday’s 1 p.m. tourney opener.

The 33-25 Black Bears are the fifth seed and Cal State-Fullerton, 33-17, is the No. 2 seed. Top-seeded host Texas, 46-14, will meet No. 6 McNeese State (La.), 37-21, in the 5:30 game and No. 3 Kentucky, 38-21-1, will square off against No. 4 USC, 32-27, at 9.

If Maine wins on Friday, it will play the Kentucky-USC winner at 9 p.m. on Saturday. If Maine loses, it will play the Texas-McNeese State loser at 1 p.m.

“I’m definitely looking forward to Friday,” said Ballard, who is coming off an 11-inning, 6-1 win over Delaware in the NAC Tournament. “I like the thought of winning the first game and winning the tournament.”

In his last two outings, Ballard has won without having his best fastball. He is hoping to have it on Friday.

“The last two times out, it wasn’t real warm and that contributed to the loss of velocity,” said Ballard, who will be pitching in humid, mid-80 degree weather. “I also seem to throw the ball better when we really hit the ball.”

As important as it is for him to have a good, live fastball, he said the most important pitch for him on Friday will be his curve.

“The key will be my ability to get my breaking ball over the plate,” said Ballard. “If I can do that, the rest will come. I’m going to throw everything at them.”

Ballard also possesses a changeup.

“I’m confident,” said senior catcher Shawn Tobin. “I think we have the best one-two-three pitchers in the tournament. A lot of the teams have great No. 1 pitchers, but their No. 2 and 3 pitchers aren’t as good.”

“If we can win the first game, I’ll match Ronnie Hewes against against anybody else’s No. 2 pitcher and Jason Rajotte against their No. 3,” said Tobin. “The key for all three of our pitchers is they can’t beat themselves. They can’t walk people. They’ve got to get ahead in the count.”

“We definitely can win the tournament,” said junior first baseman Gabe Duross. “When you look at the teams, no one blows you away. Whoever plays the best ball will win it.”

“Whoever gets hot at the right time will win it,” agreed Tobin.

“There isn’t an overpowering teamm in the tournament,” agreed senior center fielder Chad White. “It’s pretty even. We can win it. Our pitching is good enough right now. Our hitting has been pretty consistent. We’ve got to play good defense on the artificial turf. That will be the big key.”

Hewes stated that a win in the opener would put the Bears in good shape to win it.

“You don’t want to get in the losers bracket right off the bat,” said Hewes, who, like Ballard, is hoping his fastball returns and his tender elbow continues to improve.

“If I don’t have a good fastball, I don’t know if I can get these hitters out with half-decent stuff,” said Hewes.

Rajotte said he has renewed confidence after hurling 7 1/3 innings of one-hit baseball in Maine’s 11-1 win over Drexel in the NAC championship game.

“I’m very confident now. I’ve just got to throw strikes and hit the mitt,” said Rajotte.

Maine Coach John Winkin said the statistics reveal that `this is not a pitching-dominated regional. So, whoever gets decent pitching can win. If Ballard, Hewes and Rajotte can win, I like our chances.”

In Friday’s opener, Ballard will have to keep Fullerton’s Dante Powell (40 steals) and Jeremy Carr (36 steals) off the bases. Carr is also hitting .352 and Powell is a .344 hitter with 12 homers and 57 RBIs. Adam Millan (.372) is the Titans’ leading hitter. Dan Ricabal (11-2 record, 3.39 ERA) and Mike Parisi (9-3, 4.81) key the pitching staff.

White (.360, 35 stolen bases), Duross (.341, 46 RBIs) and Tobin (.325, 52 RBIs) lead Maine; Ballard (8-2, 2.51), Hewes (8-2, 3.53) and Rajotte (6-5, 2.71) are the top pitchers.

In the USC-Kentucky game, the Trojans feature C Casey Burrill (.414-13 homers, 52 RBIs) and SS Gabe Alvarez (.332-8-51) along with pitchers Mike Collett (8-4, 4,32) and Dan Hubbs (4-5, 17 saves, 3.27). Hubbs and Burrill are second-team All-Americans. Kentucky has been led by DH Brad Hindersman (.361-9-55) and 2B Eddie Brocks (.345-15-49) and their top pitchers are Scott Smith (6-8, 3.27) and Paul Morse (5-3, 8 saves, 4.21).

Texas is paced by 1B Braxton Hickman (.404-9-72) and P-DH Brooks Kieschnick (.376-19-75). Kieschnick, a first-team All-American, is 14-3 as a pitcher with two saves and a 3.08 ERA. Chad Smith is 7-2 with two saves and a 3.93 ERA.

McNeese State is led by LF Deron Hofstetter (.347-2-28) and 1B Clint Gould (.336-10-52) along with pitchers Trey Marik (5-2, 2.36) and Jason Gunter 8-3, 3.49).

It is Texas’ 24th regional in 26 years and McNeese State’s second regional appearance.