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.
Sports
May 31, 2008
Slashers open season tonight at Chillicothe
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Heat take 2-0 lead into Boston in East finals
- McIlroy recovers from rugged start for 71
- Former equipment manager sues Rams
- Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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