FLORENCE — Nick Gillung can’t talk about the potential of the Florence RedWolves’ offense without a big smile.
Gillung, tonight’s scheduled starter in Florence’s season opener at Columbia, has seen the names that will stride to the plate for the RedWolves. He’s seen the lofty statistics those names put up during the spring college season. And, to say the least, they’re comforting numbers.
“We have some guys with some big bats,” Gillung said. “It’s going to be exciting to see them at the plate. Going into the bottom of the first inning (tonight) with a big lead would be nice.”
Combined, players on the RedWolves’ roster batted well over .300 with at least 100 doubles and 60 home runs this spring.
An anchor in the RedWolves’ lineup figures to be Florence native Barrett Kleinknecht. Last summer, Kleinknecht batted .290 with 12 doubles, a team-high five home runs and 28 RBI to help the RedWolves to a runner-up finish in the Coastal Plain League’s Petitt Cup tournament.
This spring for Francis Marion, the West Florence grad hit .372 with team highs in doubles (16), homers (9) and RBI (64).
“Having Barrett on the team is great because you have a quality player from the city of Florence that people recognize,” said RedWolves assistant coach Andrew Noble. “He’s a good player. He knows how to swing the wood bat.”
In addition to leaning on solid bats like Kleinknecht’s, the RedWolves will also utilize speed like that of Zach Caldwell (31 stolen bases in 37 attempts at Missouri Southern this spring).
“We’re going to have guys moving on the bases, try to throw some balls in the gaps and score some runs that way,” Noble said. “It’ll be exciting baseball.”
Said Kleinknecht, “We got out here (in practice on Monday) and everything was just coming off the bats real well. Everybody was hitting the ball square. Everybody looked real comfortable, so I’m looking forward to getting things going.”
After going 7-1 with a 3.60 ERA at Mercyhurst this spring, the left-handed Gillung draws the opening-night start.
“I threw a bullpen session (during Monday’s practice) and they told me I’m getting the ball,” said Gillung, who walked 22 and struck out 59 in 65 innings for Mercyhurst. “Before the game, I’ll probably have some nerves. You usually do before every game. That’s just how it works. But I can’t wait to get out on the mound.”
Matt Jebb (7-3, 4.33 ERA at Maine) is slated to start Thursday’s home opener against the Fayetteville Swampdogs.
Mercyhurst’s Steve Grife, who posted a 4-1 record and 1.65 ERA for the RedWolves last season, is expected to be the staff ace when and if he joins the team. Grife is participating in pro workouts in preparation for the Major League Baseball draft June 9-11.
“Hopefully we’ll get him for a couple starts, but you never know,” Noble said. “If he gets drafted, that’s great. We’re here to try to move guys on to the next level.”
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