Logic is something that comes apparently in all shapes and sizes.

I would’ve thought logic would state that a young Eastern baseball team that is returning five everyday starters and three starting pitchers off a team that just completed a second place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference would be predicted to finish well. At least no lower than second!

The Panthers boast the return of All-American Freshman third baseman Ryan Campbell, and if in his second year he can improve his fielding (22 errors, .887 fielding percentage), he will challenge for OVC Player of the Year.

Eastern’s top three hitters of last season Campbell, first baseman Kevin Carkeek and outfielder Mark Chagnon are returning because they were, freshman. Logic would state that unless the “C” trio hit a sophomore wall, the middle of the lineup isn’t something head coach Jim Schmitz has to worry about.

The slight unknown is what the pitching staff will turn out to look like and how everybody will adjust to their roles. The number one starter for Eastern is a solid rock on the mound. Senior Kyle Widegren is my vote for most underrated pitcher in the OVC. Yes, Austin Peay junior pitcher Rowdy Hardy is the most dominant pitcher in the conference and probably a high draft pick once he graduates, but Widegren matched Hardy at Coaches Stadium last May.

The wildcard in the staff will be the closer. Well, last year’s closer, Chris Vaculik. Vaculik showed incredible heart to be a freshman closer on a second place team right out of high school. Now, he will be given the opportunity to do what he feels more comfortable doing at that taking the ball from the start.

Junior Greg Schweighart will be in the mix to be one of those three top starters that will be used in conference three-game series after being a dominant pitcher for Lake Land.

So to conclude, this team can hit for average, hit for power, has an improved pitching rotation and a slew of relief options to use.

The only weakness I can see with this team is a lack of speed due to the loss of Chris Uhle, Kyle Haines and Marcus Jackson. However, with the enormous power of the aluminum seems to dull the effectiveness and need to steal bases in college baseball.

So to evaluate this team logically apparently means a sixth place finish according to Baseball America and fourth place respect from the other OVC coaching staff.

I’ve been waiting for somebody to stand up and say this team is a conference contender, but in the time I was waiting I realized that I’d stand on the ledge and proclaim belief in this squad because it’s logical and that idea comes in all shapes and sizes.