A young and inexperienced Eastern pitching staff became even more so when Panther coaches Jim Schmitz and Mitch Rosenthal confirmed senior ace Jared Marshall will miss at least the opening weekend of the baseball season.

There was hope Marshall would be ready to go on opening day against Southwest Missouri State, but the right-hander has not fully recovered from off-season surgery over the summer. Marshall was Eastern’s third starter last season behind then seniors, Matt Tyson and Damon White. Marshall posted a 7-2 record in 12 appearances (10 starts) with a 5.34 earned run average in just over 55 innings for the 2003 Panthers, and is looked upon as the captain of the pitching rotation.

“With the experience and knowledge Jared brings to the pitching staff, of course he is our leader,” assistant coach and former Eastern pitcher Rosenthal said.

Schmitz, the Panthers head coach, agreed with Rosenthal and said when Marshall was healthy last year he turned in three gems for Eastern.

“He is our number one arm, and he will be looked upon to lead this young pitching staff,” Schmitz said. “Jared had three of the finest outings I have had from a pitcher before the injury.”

Although he won’t take the hill on opening day, the Panthers expect Marshall to be ready by early March.

“He’s still rehabbing right now but he should be back within the next few weeks,” Rosenthal said.

According to Rosenthal, when Marshall comes back he will placed on a strict pitch count, however, the Jacksonville, Ill. native will not be limited to what pitches he can throw. However, the first appearances Marshall will make on the mound will be out of the bullpen.

‘Where going to ease Jared back into things an inning here and inning there in relief,” Rosenthal said. “But when he does come back he will still be allowed to throw the same pitches (fastball, curve and change), because we wouldn’t have him out there if is he wasn’t completely healthy.”

If there is a positive to Marshall’s injury it’s been the production of McHenry Community College transfer Ted Juske who will get a spot start in Marshall’s absence. During his two years at McHenry, Juske went 11-7 and had a four to one strikeout to walk ratio

“Ted Juske has really stepped up and thrown the ball well,” Rosenthal said. “He’s going to get the start in game two (of the tournament against Louisiana-Monroe.)”

When Eastern does get a healthy Marshall on the mound Schmitz expects big result, including being the top pitcher in conference.

“Entering his fifth year, he’s more determined to finish his career on a high note. If he stays healthy, he can easily win the Ohio Valley Conference ‘Pitcher of the Year’ award.”

Heading into his final year, Marshall has an overall record of 12-8 with three complete games.