The Panther baseball team begins its 2003 campaign Friday in Fayetteville, Arkansas, when it faces the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Head coach Jim Schmitz’s team looks to improve upon last year’s overall record of 25-26. Eastern was recently ranked second in the OVC preseason coaches’ poll and hopes to capture the league title after finishing in the runner-up spot last year with a 12-8 record.

Heading into the season, optimism is high. The Panthers are returning 10 seniors looking to lead the team on the field.

Schmitz believes the senior leadership, added speed to the lineup and the team’s pitching depth will be important factors in the success of his team.

“The addition of junior college transfer Jeff Cammann and junior Marcus Jackson’s speed could help us produce runs,” Schmitz said

Schmitz said the speed of the Eastern’s lineup will be an important factor in run production for the teem since they lack power in their lineup.

“Our team is going to have to produce runs to win,” Schmitz said.

The lack of power in the Panthers’ lineup could be offset by speed, but the strength and depth of the pitching staff will also be key to their success.

“The depth of our pitching staff is fine,” Schmitz said. “The number of games early in the season will test our young arms, but they are ready for it.”

After posting a 5.36 team ERA in the 2002 season, second-best in the OVC, the Panthers’ pitching staff will feature seniors Damon White, Micah Gray, Nathan Stone, Aaron Shelbourne and Matt Tyson.

Juniors Jared Marshall, Andy Kuntz and sophomore Jason Pinnell will also contribute. Freshman Kirk Miller is also expected to make an impact in the 2003 season.

Heading into the three-game series with Arkansas, the three-man rotation will be led by senior right-hander Damon White. White posted a 2-1 record and led the team with a 3.18 ERA in the 2002 season despite missing a month due to tendinitis.

Andy Kuntz will fill the second spot in their rotation. Kuntz went 1-0 and posted a 5.51 ERA in eight appearances last season.

Junior Jared Marshall will round out the rotation. After being redshirted for the 2002 season, Marshall will make his first start for the Panthers since recording a 1-2 record and 8.27 ERA in the 2001 season with .

The loss of Pete Pirman and Ben Duke’s offensive output leaves a void in the Eastern’s offensive production that will likely be filled by senior catcher Bret Pignatiello.

Pignatiello is coming off consecutive First Team All-OVC awards in 2001 and 2002 after batting .321 with 14 home runs and 37 RBI last season.

“Bret had a lot of burden placed on him last year,” Schmitz said. “He will be our go to guy again this year.”

In addition to Pignatiello, Nolan Cork, Danny Jordan, Kirk Walters and Aaron Shelbourne are expected to contribute to the offense, which ranked fourth in the OVC last season.

Schmitz was quick to note the resemblance of this year’s team to the 2001 team.

If that indicates what fans can expect from the 2003 team, the season could be very exciting, considering the 2001 team finished first in the OVC and recorded the fourth-best record in Eastern baseball history (35-20, 19-1).