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It\u2019s time to take a look into the future by tracking their performance now<\/i><\/p>\nIt\u2019s time to take a look into the future by tracking their performance now<\/i><\/p>\n
Jordan Anderson<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Duluth, Minn. —\u00a0 In 93 short days, Huskies baseball will be back at the Wade. In the meantime, the few dozen players that make up the roster are playing! These young men come from all across the country. From sea to shining sea, these guys are working hard and honing their craft. It\u2019s important to keep fans up to date on how the players are doing, so here\u2019s the first <\/span>Huskies On Deck <\/span><\/i>of the year!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n True freshmen often need a year or so to adjust to the college game. Pitchers throw harder, players are faster, etc\u2026 The jump hasn\u2019t seemed to have affected Jared McKenzie. The beginning of his Baylor University career has gone about as well as anyone would hope. In his first seven collegiate games, McKenzie is hitting a whopping .517 with 15 hits and 4 RBI\u2019s. The Round Rock, TX native has started every game in centerfield and hit at the top of the Bears\u2019 lineup. His speed has also been on display with a pair of stolen bases and a perfect fielding percentage in the center. Expect the Baylor product to produce early and often in Duluth.<\/span><\/p>\n Another true freshman making some noise early on is one of Duluth\u2019s own! Ben Pedersen made his first career start for the University of Missouri this last Monday. The Duluth Marshall graduate threw four strong innings. He gave up no runs and registered a pair of strikeouts. In an effort to keep him fresh, Mizzou took him out after only 50 pitches. <\/span>Coach Marcus Pointer has already made it known that he plans to showcase Pedersen when he returns home for the summer.<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, someone from out west. Kevin Fitzgerald has started his sophomore year at San Joaquin Delta Community College hitting in the middle of their batting order. Through 48 at-bats, the lefty shortstop has 20 hits, half of which are of the extra-base variety. He already has 4 homers and has swiped 6 bases. Even more impressive has been his eye at the plate. Fitzgerald has walked 16 times with only 8 strikeouts. He\u2019ll be a two-year starter by the time he reaches the Twin Ports area, so he should provide some invaluable veteran leadership to the Duluth Nine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n