Freshmen sluggers Richmond, Wright compete for starting spot

By DONNIE COLLINS
Collegian Staff Writer

Last season, Adam Beers did it all for the Penn State baseball team.

The slick-fielding shortstop not only made all the plays from a position counted on to be a stalwart in that area, but he also dazzled Nittany Lion opponents with his offensive capabilities.

Beers hit .305 in 52 games last season, clubbing 13 home runs and amassing 41 RBIs. Beers showed surprising power for the prototypical middle infielder, as his home run total was good for second-best on the team, falling just short of his brother Dan's 16 round trippers.

Unfortunately for coach Joe Hindelang, who begins his ninth season at the helm of the Lions with a noon doubleheader tomorrow at Virginia, Beers may prove as difficult to replace as he was to get out.

Beers' graduation left a sizable hole to fill for a team that garnered an impressive third-place finish in last season's Big Ten Tournament. But that doesn't mean Hindelang is left without options.

Two freshmen -- John Richmond and Chris Wright -- are frontrunners to step into the shortstop position vacated by Beers, Hindelang said. Both Richmond and Wright have big shoes to fill. But their coach doesn't exactly expect either of the newcomers to be a loose fit.

"It's really come down to (Richmond and Wright) as we're ready to open up (tomorrow)," Hindelang said. "Both are eventually going to be very good players. Between those two, I think they'll do a fine job. That position will be solidified this year."

While Wright, a graduate of State College High School, is the unquestioned hometown favorite, Hindelang said Richmond's defensive capabilities have given him an early advantage.

The decision on which shortstop will start the opener against the Cavaliers (2-4) will have to wait until Hindelang learns whether a left-hander or a right-hander will get the starting pitching nod for his opponents.

Currently, he isn't spending a great deal of time worrying about how his shortstop duo will fare offensively.

As long as Richmond and Wright make the routine plays and don't give away any easy outs, Hindelang said his shortstops will be fulfilling their end of the bargain.

"I'm more concerned with the defensive aspect," the coach said. "My whole thing is to just make the routine plays and get an out on every play. I don't care about the spectacular plays. We just need them to be routinely consistent."

The potential of starting the first game of his freshman season hasn't daunted Richmond.

The Pittsburgh product said he isn't letting the pressure of landing the starting job get to him. Rather, both he and Wright are using the added motivation to work harder and be nothing more than the best players they can be.

"Both Chris and I are just trying to be good all-around players," Richmond said. "We compliment each other very well. We make a good combination. We bring different things."

Hindelang agrees. He also believes he will receive plenty of opportunities to see what both Richmond and Wright bring to the position throughout the team's marathon schedule.

"It's a fine line that separates them," Hindelang said. "I don't think either of them will cruise through the season where one will start all 56 games."