Monday, April 14, 2008 11:12 PM CDT
Schmitz has plan to slow down Hudson
BY BRIAN NIELSEN, Sports Editor
MATTOON -- Opposing coaches revealed strategy in front of each other and a room full of Mattoon Rotarians Monday.
“Jim promised he would walk (Kyle Hudson) four times and let him steal as many bases as he can to show what he can do,” Illinois baseball coach Dan Hartleb.
Joining in the entertainment at this Rotary luncheon, Eastern Illinois’ Jim Schmitz said, “I’ve talked with Kurt (Stretch) and we will have a ton of sand at first base so Hudson can’t run.”
Stretch, Mattoon’s parks and lakes superintendent, also known as the area’s premier grounds crew chief, did not necessarily agree to that.
But Stretch and Mattoon are pulling out the red carpet for the two nearby college baseball teams in a game scheduled for 6:33 p.m. at Peterson Park’s Grimes Field.
Jokes aside, Hudson might not need any gift walks to show his stuff on the base paths in his hometown.
Even with his average dropping a bit lately, the junior center fielder is Illinois’ second leading hitter with a .387 average while leading the Illini with 26 stolen bases in 32 attempts.
The other Mattoon product starting for Illinois, Ryan Hastings. is fourth on the team with a .337 average and is tied for second on the Illini with a .510 slugging average including three home runs, two triples and four doubles. He has moved from a second base to first as a senior.
Now for the first time in a few years, Hastings and Hudson are to play at Grimes Field where they both played for Mattoon’s American Legion Post 88 team, Hastings helping Post 88 to a 2003 state championship.
Hartleb is not too worried about homecoming jitters.
“I think they’ll thoroughly enjoy it,” the Illini coach said. “They’re used to playing in front of people. Kyle has played in front of 100,000 people in football.”
Hudson, of course, has done that as a wide receiver/punt returner for Illinois’ Rose Bowl football team.
Hartleb would not be surprised to see the junior chosen in this year’s baseball draft, adding to the dilemma for the two-sport standout.
Another Mattoon product, pitcher Blake Fairchild, is on Illinois’ injured list with hopes of pitching in four to five weeks.
Hastings and Hudson have helped Illinois stand 18-12 though four of the losses came the past weekend when swept by Michigan to drop the Illini’s Big Ten Conference record to 6-6.
“You know how the weather was,” Hartleb said. “Believe it or not, that was the best part of my weekend.”
Eastern meanwhile won two of three games in last week’s Ohio Valley Conference series at Murray State to stand 16-15.
The Panthers bring some local flavor as well including Charleston’s Kyle Wilson, the former Lake Land player who along with making one relief pitching performance and getting one hit in nine at bats playing in eight games as an outfielder, stands as a backup catcher with that position hit by injuries.
Mattoon’s Ross Jeske, who has made 12 relief appearances, might be saved for Wednesday’s game at Saint Louis and then this weekend’s OVC series against Jacksonville State.
“We need to get him ready for this weekend,” Schmitz said.
Likewise, freshman Matt Miller of Charleston is scheduled to pitch for Eastern on Wednesday.
Both teams plan to start freshmen on the mound while others are likely to get work in this week night game between conference series.
Schmitz has at least one other objective even if it is not popular with many of the fans.
“I hope it isn’t the Hudson and Hastings show,” he said.
Contact Brian Nielsen at bnielsen@jg-tc.com or 238-6856.
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