The Trail

Issue date: 2/9/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Daniel Adler Joe Newland clubs a single

Logger baseball blasted off their 2007 season with a solo jack by returning outfielder Mike Olsen. Despite the superman efforts by Olsen, who went 2-2 with a walk, two runs, and a RBI, the Loggers lost to the visiting Central Washington Wildcats 3-7.

Senior pitcher Evan Scandling pitched a solid four innings giving up no runs with a pair of strikeouts. In the top of the fifth inning, the Wildcats got their bats rolling and loaded the bases with one out. Freshman pitcher Dusty Kauflin, in his UPS debut, was called to replace Scandling in hopes of getting out of the jam. Unfortunately, things fell apart for the Loggers after the Cats tied the score and eventually took the lead for good in the sixth.

The lack of Logger offense played a key role in their demise as they only managed five hits to Central's ten.

The unusual early start to the season, one month earlier than 2006, resulted in terrible weather that forced the second game of the double header to a halt. Logger pitchers have expressed their concern for the cold weather and are working on adjusting accordingly so that they can throw their heat.

The team is extremely optimistic about the 2007 season and is expecting solid performances from the senior players on the team. Senior Chris Dunbar, who has one more year of eligibility, is expected to be a key contributor who not only adds his big stick to the line up, but also brings veteran leadership.

Dunbar is also likely to have plenty of time to devote to baseball as the super senior finds himself enrolled in one class for the semester, bowling.

What's more, senior Mike Olsen, who took his junior year off, is back and trying to show the conference what they have been missing. A stellar first game performance could be a taste of a successful year to come for the 6-2, 220 pound outfielder.

With 14 incoming freshmen UPS will be a young squad, but the fresh crop is hoping to mesh with the rest of the returning talent in their quest for the team's first conference crown since 1936.

UPS hits the diamond again on Feb. 10 against Corban at 11 AM. It may be a bit early for some college students on a weekend, but not for these Loggers, as they embark on their journey for success in the 2007 season.

• Mike Jones caught Mike Olsen's homerun ball and is trying to sell it on eBay.

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