Wildcats Baseball Notebook: As season-opener nears, WNC looking for a leader

BY MIKE HOUSER

Nevada Appeal Sports Writer

Western Nevada College baseball coach D.J. Whittemore kept it pretty simple when he said what his pitching squad needs to do as it prepares for its season-opening series with South Mountain Community College Jan. 30-Feb. 1, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"Throw more strikes," Whittemore said during Wednesday's practice at John L. Harvey Field.

Of more immediate concern to Whittemore and his Wildcats is the absence of sophomore catcher Jerome Pena, who underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia Jan. 16.

"We miss him more than what he does defensively or offensively," Whittemore said. "He's a leader. He's the team's most vocal player. Finding that spark is going to be hard. In general, the team is self-motivated."

Pena, who signed to play with Texas Christian University, should return by the Feb. 27 Scenic West Athletic Conference-opening twinbill with College of Eastern Utah, in Price, Utah.

In addition to his leadership skills and backstop prowess, the Wildcats will miss Pena's bat. Pena ranked in the top five in several team statistical categories. He hit .276, had three home runs and drove in 28 runs.

In the meantime, the competition for Pena's spot between freshmen Cory Raymond and Eric Maupin continues.

"Raymond is doing a nice job behind the plate," Whittemore said. "Maupin is working hard to make the transition."

The 6-foot-5 Maupin pitched and was a utility player for the Galena Grizzlies before redshirting for Washington State.

Another Wildcat on the mend is reigning Region XVIII Player of the Year Brian Barnett, who plays right field for WNC.

Barnett had surgery to remove the hamate bone in his left, non-throwing, hand after he broke it during the SWAC All-Star game in September. The injury kept Barnett, a McQueen high grad, out of action for two-and-a-half months.

"I'm working on getting my strength back, getting my timing down " mostly hitting and arm strength," said Barnett, who hit a team- and SWAC single-season record 11 homers and drove in 44 runs for the Wildcats last year. "I'm probably about 90 percent."

Many big leaguers have the bone, located in the knobby part of the palm, removed because it is susceptible to injury. Many golfers suffer the injury when their club hits the ground during their downswing.

"He's still behind where he would've been otherwise," Whittemore said of Barnett. "As the year progresses, I don't see it as a major concern. I wouldn't be surprised to see him start slower than he finished last season."

NOTE: The Wildcats will unveil this season's team in a pair of intrasquad scrimmages Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 11:30 a.m., at John L. Harvey Field. The public is encouraged to attend.