By Jim Henry

jhenry@joplinglobe.com

The pitchers are ahead of the hitters as the Joplin Slashers open their baseball season tonight against the Chillicothe Mudcats.

The first pitch is set for 6:30 in Chillicothe, Mo.

The Slashers practiced Thursday and Friday at Barnes Field in Webb City, and rain moved Saturday’s workout inside to the Cave of Dreams Baseball Center near the Missouri Southern campus.

“After three practices, I can tell you it’s not enough time,” head coach Denny Vilela said. “What I did see is pitching is going to be our strength. I saw some very good arms ... I’m talking draftable-type arms.

“Overall I was very impressed with the pitching. The hitting is going to be slow anyway, dealing with wood bats. We give them a two-week window to make the adjustments. They’ve been working in the cage with Coach (Jim) Ritter.”

Right-hander Tom Lucy, who’s played the last two years at Seminole (Okla.) and has signed with McNeese State (La.), will start tonight’s game for the Slashers.

“We had him as fast as 92 or 93 on the gun during practice,” Vilela said.

The Slashers have 45 games scheduled during June and July, including 25 home games at Joe Becker Stadium. The Slashers play Wednesday night at Springfield before playing their home opener and Jayhawk-League opener at 7 p.m. Thursday against the Nevada Griffons.