Soesbe hopes tough schedule pays dividends later in year

Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000 | 9:31 a.m.

Rod Soesbe is facing perhaps his biggest rebuilding project in his four years as head baseball coach at UNLV.

That alone wouldn't be as monumental a task if it weren't for the fact that the Rebels also will play their toughest nonconference schedule of Soesbe's tenure.

With only three returning starters off a team that was a disappointing -- by Soesbe's standards -- 27-34 a year ago, Soesbe is hoping his team can make it through the nonconference portion of the schedule with its confidence intact.

"We've got a real tough nonconference schedule," Soesbe said of playing traditional powers Cal State Fullerton, USC and Clemson on the road and UCLA at home. "Those aren't lightweights. If we survive the nonconference and keep our confidence up ... we'll be in good shape for conference."

UNLV, which opens the season at home against St. Mary's College Saturday through Monday, said he feels confident his pitching and offense are satisfactory. But he admitted the big question mark will be the team's defense.

"We were a little nervous defensively in the fall, but it looks like it's starting to come together for us," Soesbe said. "The defense is something that we've got to be better at than we were in the fall."

Soesbe will welcome back a trio of seniors -- outfielder Nate Kaup (.345 with six homers and 36 RBIs in '99), infielder Tony DeMarco (.344, 4, 49) and catcher Harold Betts (.317, 2, 17) -- that he hopes will provide the leadership for the younger players.

Among the standouts from that group this past fall were freshman shortstop Zach Strong and freshman pitcher Jared Bonnell. Strong may wind up being the starting shortstop this weekend.

"It's really a young corps, a lot of new faces," Soesbe said. "We don't have a superstar in the whole bunch of them, but we've got a lot of good players."

And not many long-ball threats, which will force the Rebels to manufacture runs this season as opposed to waiting for the home run.

"We're not going to be able to sit back and just bang it," Soesbe said.

"We've got some kids with some power, but not long-ball power. But we do have some kids who can steal a base for you, so we're going to have to make some things happen (offensively) a little bit this year."

UNLV, which was plagued by injuries to its pitchers last season, also should be improved on the mound, Soesbe said.

"In the fall, our pitching was a lot better in the respect that we've got a lot of guys who are throwing the ball well," Soesbe said. "(Senior right-hander Andy) McCulloch is back and healthy after having back problems last year and that will give us a big boost in that closing role."

Soesbe said he also was impressed with the performances of sophomore left-hander Ryan Olson, sophomore right-hander Joe Maruffi and senior right-hander Justin Fairbanks during the fall.

The Rebels also are blessed with depth at virtually every position, which will give Soesbe some versatility in both the infield and outfield.

Joining Kaup in the outfield and vying for playing time will be senior Denny Seybert, juniors Michael Ford, Adam Manley and Clay Belding, and freshman John Cruz.

Left-handed hitting Trent Kitsch will start at first, allowing Kaup to move over to third base. Senior Cody Okuda and redshirt freshman Garett Shitanishi will battle for the starting position at second base.

Betts will return for his second season behind the plate, but Soesbe said backups Brad Beasley, a junior, and freshman James Nepa also are capable receivers.

"I'm excited about our depth all the way around," Soesbe said. "We've got some depth pitching-wise and I know the pitching is a lot better than a year ago.

"The key this year is going to be if we can pull together offensively and play good defense with the new guys."