Kuschel, Knights face tough competition in Florida to begin season, prepare for push towards conference title against St. Scholastica using solid nucleus of seniors

By JEREMY BEHNKE

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- This was not the way Martin Luther College senior third basemen Mike Kuschel wanted it to begin.

Kuschel, a reigning all-conference selection last season, probably would have loved to begin his final season with big numbers, possibly better than last year.

Kuschel came back from a 6-game trip in Florida with two hits in 17 at-bats and his team with no wins. But instead of worrying about either of the two, Kuschel and the Knights are learning to turn negatives into positives.

"I had something wrong with my swing, but we fixed it," Kuschel said. "My hands weren't as far back as they should be. Things are starting to fall in to place. We put the bat on the ball really good down in Florida, its just a matter of finding the holes."

"I think that it's something in his head, because anytime you get in a slump, you're trying to figure out what it is you need to do to get out," MLC coach Drew Buck said. "I think he puts more pressure on himself, because he's done well for three years."

The Knights faced tough competition and ended the trip 0-6, but many around the team feel that this may be the year the Knights finally do something that most people don't expect them to do -- contend for the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference title.

The Knights figure that the trip to Florida was very beneficial and should help for the rigors of the UMAC schedule.

"That's the big thing, being able to go out and do what you need to do under the conditions that you're going to do them," Buck said. "We knew we were going up against some tough competition and stronger D III schools. I thought the kids handled themselves fairly well."

A solid nucleus of seniors return from a team that went 13-11 and took second in the UMAC tournament last year. All-conference selections Aaron Dolan (2B), Kuschel (3B), and Chris Rathje (P) are back and are looking forward to another successful season.

"This is the best chance we've had in my four years here," Kuschel said. "We think we can at least earn a split with St. Scholastica, which would be great this year."

A split with St. Scholastica would be very rewarding. The Saints defeated the Knights in three close games during the regular season, then beat them 17-2 in the UMAC championship. St. Scholastica scored 56 runs in three games in the tournament.

The Saints are ranked No. 13 in the preseason polls and have won six straight UMAC titles. The Saints were picked to win their seventh in a row in the preseason voting. In order for the Knights to contend, they will need Kuschel's bat.

Kuschel hit an even .300 last year and led the team with 14 RBI. He tied for the team lead with 20 singles. Dolan hit .329 last year and led the team with 25 runs scored.

Phil Hochmuth figures to start at first base; he hit .213 last year. Dolan will be at second and Jon Bauer will be at shortstop. Bauer hit .254 last year. Kuschel will man the hot corner. Phil Hering will catch.

The outfield situation remains blurry at this point. Noah Bater will start in center and Shane Krause will be in left. However, the Knights have a trio of right fielders. Depending on who is pitching or who gets hot, Brett Krause, Steve Goelzer or Aaron Holub may see time.

Rathje is the team's ace and will be expected to see many innings this year. He already has pitched 12 innings in two starts with five strikeouts. Rathje had four wins and an ERA of 1.47 in 2002. He led the team with 47 strikeouts last year.

"Rathje's always solid," Kuschel said. "He just throws strikes. Nate Hochmuth has improved since last year and knows how to mix it up a little bit more. "

Rathje is nursing a shoulder injury, so the team hopes it holds up.

After Rathje, depth becomes a concern. The team doesn't have as many quality arms as it would like numbers-wise.

"We don't have a lot of depth for the games that we have," Buck said. "We play a lot of weekend doubleheaders, which means now you have to have at least four starters ready to go, plus a reliever or two. So you're looking at seven pitchers every weekend, excluding what you're going to do during the week."

Buck figures to use nine pitchers over the course of the season, and figures to have a core of five starters.

Northland College and Northwestern College were picked to finish second, tied with the Knights, in the preseason poll. Crown College was picked to finish fifth and North Central University sixth.

MLC will leave the hardwood floors and get back on the field when it plays Dakota State at 1 p.m. Monday in Madison, South Dakota. The Knights will play a doubleheader there and play their first home game Tuesday, April 1 at Mueller Park.

The home-opener is slated for a 1 p.m. start.