"Vikings terrorize base paths" -- April 14, 2006
By C. Jennings Breakey
The Western Front
Opposing players habitually shout “leadoff, leadoff” when Western’s club baseball team senior outfielders Matt Rhode or Mikel Lenox step into the batter’s box, signaling the beginning of the Viking batting order.
Those words mean bring in the infield, watch for the bunt and make sure to field the ball cleanly because Rhode and Lenox probably won’t hit it out of the infield, Rhode said.
While opponents use this strategy to neutralize their speed to get on base, Rhode and Lenox grin when infielders creep toward home.
“(The infielders) know what’s going on, it’s in the back of their minds,” Rhode said. “I love the challenge of people knowing what I’m going to do. See if you can stop me. I thrive off that.”
Lenox, who plays left field, is hitting .385 with nine stolen bases this season and said his and Rhode’s speed stretches singles into doubles and allows hitters behind them to pick up RBIs.
The Vikings are 12-3 this season and are first place in the Pacific Mountain Conference with a 7-1 record.
Rhode said their quickness causes defenders to fumble and make erratic throws to first base.
“We’re constantly putting pressure on the other team,” said Rhode, who plays center field and is hitting .353 this season with eight stolen bases. “(Our speed) takes a toll on both fielders and pitchers.”
Other teams, such as rival the University of Oregon Ducks, rely on hitting to move base runners because they don’t have speedy players, giving the Vikings an advantage, Rhode said.
When either Rhode or Lenox are on base, their potential to steal bases diverts the opposing pitcher’s attention from the batter.
“It brings another element that other teams don’t have,” Rhode said. “Anytime a pitcher is not totally concentrating on the batter, it’s just to our benefit.”
They alternate between hitting first and ninth in the lineup, Rhode said.
In the fifth inning of the first game of a doubleheader last weekend against Seattle University, Lenox broke from third base for home and slid safely across the plate. It was his third stolen base of the game and fourth of the weekend.
“A single for me or Rhode is as good as a double,” he said. “If Rhode or I are on second, no matter what the base hit is, we’re going to score on it.”
Speed is a bragging right for the pair, and Rhode said they made a friendly bet at the beginning of the season to try to steal more bases than the other.
The only prize is respect, but the bet encourages positive competition between the two, Rhode said.
“It drives us to be better hitters and to get more stolen bases,” Lenox said.
Lenox said they made an agreement at the beginning of the season with Western club head coach Michael Johnson about stealing bases during games.
He said the two have permission to steal bases at will because Johnson trusts their ability and judgments. Opposing catchers haven’t thrown out Rhode or Lenox once this season.
Johnson said letting Rhode and Lenox run wild on the base paths is exciting for the two outfielders because they get to determine their stolen base statistics.
“They have an understanding of the game and know when there’s an appropriate time to run and an appropriate time not to,” Johnson said. “Knowing that gives me more confidence in giving them the green light.”
Johnson said Rhode is always vocal in the dugout.
Whether the team needs to solidify their defense or be smarter at the plate, Rhode is the first to say so, Johnson said.
Rhode wants the Viking team to reach the National Club Baseball Association World Series beginning May 24 in Niles, Ohio.
“I could care less about how many stolen bases, how many home runs I hit,” Rhode said. “If I end the season with 13 stolen bases but we’re going to the World Series, that’s all that matters. I’ve had decent years and we haven’t gone. I’d trade (the years) in a heartbeat.”
C. Jennings breakey / The Western Front
posted by Caleb Breakey @ 7:51 PM
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