Freshman Richie Derbak has replaced senior Chris Vaculik as the closer for the time being because head coach Jim Schmitz said he has to go with who is getting the job done.

That was evident this weekend when Derbak came in the ninth inning of the first game of the series this weekend.

Derbak was thrown in with the bases loaded, no outs and a Tennessee Tech runner in scoring position that could potentially tie the game.

Derbak held Tech and managed to strike out their number one hitter Brian Sprowl.

Vaculik will start today against St. Louis.

Schmitz said it is about him getting his confidence back.

Schmitz said he is impressed with Derbak’s three different pitches, his ability to throw strikes and his change up.

Schmitz said when he pitched in the fall his change up was what made him stand out, even though he wasn’t hitting the ball as well as Schmitz wanted.

“I hate the line, he’s a baseball player, but he really is,” Schmitz said. “It’s such a silly line but he just knows the game.”

Peppenhorst sees more playing time

Kory Peppenhorst is another freshman on the team that has stepped into a major role in the catchers position, replacing senior Jason Cobb.

Schmitz said Peppenhorst’s “even-keel” attitude that used to get on his nerves is now what makes him successful.

“He had some big passed balls, when I say passed balls probably half of them are wild pitches but some big misses in spring break,” Schmitz said.

Schmitz said he doesn’t like the passed balls because it ruins the chances of getting a double play.

“So for a freshman he wasn’t OK, everything wasn’t OK,” Schmitz said. “He was just like, ‘I’ll get better, I’ll get better.”

Now Schmitz said his ability to stay “even-keel” behind the dish helps out the entire team.

“I know he struggles with things,” Schmitz said. “I know he gets a little frustrated. But, boy, it’s nice to have that guy back there that’s like ‘Hey, everything is going to be OK.'”

Schmitz impressed with bullpen

Schmitz said he has also been impressed with Tyler Brandon, a transfer from Parkland Community College in Champaign,

Brandon didn’t give up any runs in the 3 and 1/3 innings he pitched in the second game of the series this weekend against Tennessee Tech.

Schmitz said in preseason Brandon was not throwing like he wanted him to. Now he and junior Alex Guttosch work together in tough situations and get the job done.

“I feel real good about the numbers we can bring into the game, the number of people that can get us out of jams or just close and do well,” Schmitz said.

Schmitz believes Huber has a chance in the pros

Schmitz said senior first baseman Erik Huber has a good chance of making it in the major leagues because of his versatility.

Schmitz said the coaching staff gets a lot of calls about Huber and there was around ten pro scouts on scout day in the fall looking at him.

Schmitz said Huber started out in right field at the beginning of the season but was moved to first so that Schmitz could fill right with the quick senior Casey Spears.

“The only question was where were the power numbers, would they come out,” Schmitz said. “I just think (Huber is) in the process and now he is starting to take off and shows he has the power to hit at the next level.”

Huber proved that this weekend in the second game going 4-for-5 and hitting two home runs in two straight at-bats.

He can play almost seven of the nine positions and is only playing first base because that is where the Panthers need him, Schmitz said.

“It’s actually hurting his chances because at the next level if you’re playing first base then you have to hit the ball over the trees all the time,” Schmitz said. “But he has never once come and said, ‘Hey, this is hurting my chances of the big leagues,’ and that is what is special about him.”