First base has been the final resting place for one second-year Spikes' player already this season. Matt Wilkerson is hoping that he can stick around at the position long enough to make sure he is not the second.

Almost a month after his former teammate and roommate Adam Morris was given a brief tryout at first before being given his release papers, Wilkerson has now made a similar move from right field.

When the Spikes listed seventh-round pick Luke Gorsett as a fifth outfielder Saturday, it left the outfield corners a little crowded. The Spikes had not carried five outfielders since Charles Carter was released in mid-July.

Luckily for Wilkerson, the team was in need of a big body at first base.

In his first tryout at the bag two nights ago, Wilkerson muffed two balls in the first inning to start the game. Last night, though, was a different story.

He scooped up two hot grounders to record outs at first in the first and seventh innings, respectively. On the seventh-inning scooter, he moved like a man who's played the position his entire life, instinctively stepping on the bag before throwing to short to complete the unusual 6-3 double play on a tag out.

Wilkerson last played first base in his second year of college ball and said the transition back is a "work in progress." He was also unsure if the move would be permanent.

"I think it's kinda wait and see," he said. "[A.J.] Van Slyke is a pretty potent offensive bat from the left side right now. Anytime you can play more than one position, it gives [Spikes manager Mark DeJohn] some options."

Wilkerson's primary woes this season, though, have been with the bat. Last year, Wilkerson batted .239 with eight home runs and 25 RBI. This year, his performance has fallen even further, with his average dropping to .198.

The move to first base may have lifted the offensive curse for the veteran. Last night, he got a four-run rally started with a leadoff home run to the opposite field in the second inning that clanked off the first row of bleachers. Later in the game, Wilkerson also delivered another run with a sacrifice fly to center.

"I've never in my career hit under .200 or anywhere close to where I am now, so I have to shake it off and trust myself," he said. "This game is about confidence, and it's all mental."