University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Team Chemistry Leading Pitt Into 2011
1/25/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 25, 2011
Less than a month from Pitt baseball's first action of the season, Travis Whitmore has plenty to look forward to. After climbing as high as No. 19 in the polls last season, the Panthers return two 11-win pitchers to the mound and seven players with starting experience in the lineup while welcoming a diverse freshmen class that hopes to make an immediate impact on the team.
But it's not Pitt's pitching - or even its combined .372 batting average among the seven returning starters - that stands out the most to the Pitt senior.
"Our team chemistry is as close as it can get," Whitmore said. "Whether it's in the weight room, hitting or in practice, the way the guys have worked together and stuck together as a group shows how far this program has really come. And it's not just the seniors, but the sophomore and the juniors have really set a good example of it for our newcomers."
The team chemistry has certainly showed for Pitt, which earned a school-record 38 wins a season ago. The Panthers sent three players to the professional ranks after the season's end, and currently have a number of players on the roster competing for starting spots and looking to contribute. To standout pitcher Corey Baker, the way that his teammates have competed for spots while still backing up and supporting one another has been one of the most impressive parts of the team.
"The biggest thing, when you think about our team chemistry, is that you have guys competing for spots but still rooting for the guys they might be going against," Baker said. "We're pulling for each other no matter what the situation is. That's the biggest thing this team has: to be able to put aside personal agendas and focus on the team's goals. It shows tremendous character. There is great competition and great teamwork and I think that's paying off and bringing improvements for everyone."
There were plenty of improvements shown last season, as well. John Schultz improved his batting average from .319 in 2009 to .404 in 2010, and Zach Duggan moved from a .270 average in 2009 to a .346 clip last season. Phil Konieczny saw the biggest change of all, with his average rocketing from .238 in 2009 to .322 last year.
"I think everyone just blended really well last year," Konieczny said. "We had a good amount of freshmen, and they really worked hard and blended together well with the older guys. That's transferred over to this year. This team is special because I feel like everybody knows what they have to do and everyone is accountable for their actions. No one tries to do too much, they just play their role. Everybody chips in and no one puts themselves first. That really shows on the field."
Now in his 14th year as head coach at Pitt, Joe Jordano agreed, saying that this type of attitude is one he's come to expect from the student-athletes he and his staff bring in on a yearly basis.
"I believe we make a very focused effort to recruit the right kind of kid to be a part of this program," Jordano said. "We strive to secure young men that are committed to challenging themselves both on the field and in the classroom, but more importantly, to be a part of something that is bigger than them as an individual - which is our team. We talk frequently on how important these elements are to our success. There is a clear understanding that is what we look to achieve. Although team chemistry is difficult to teach or create, I feel strongly that if you have the right staff, the right players and you create a positive environment, team chemistry is easier to achieve. In our game, we have too many factors that we are competing against to win a ballgame and I know we have everyone on the same page right now. I anticipate that will translate on the field this season."
Pitt opens its season against Illinois Feb. 18 in the Big East vs. Big Ten Challenge.
