Head Baseball Coach Darin Hendrickson said he did not welcome the snowy weather that canceled the team’s home opener against Southeast Missouri State Tuesday, March 4. However, when it comes to the play of his team’s starting left fielder, sophomore David Blackwell, he is certainly satisfied.
“[Blackwell] has been a pleasant surprise so far,” Hendrickson said. “He’s an extremely talented player.”
Blackwell started the season off on the right foot with a two-for-four day against Belmont in the Billikens’ season opener, and he hasn’t looked back since then.
Starting all six games so far this season, Blackwell has hit his way to the best batting average on the team (.444). He also leads the team in hits, doubles, triples, slugging percentage and on-base percentage.
While that might satisfy some people, Blackwell said that he is not concerned with his statistics; he’s just out there trying to win games.
“I just want to contribute to the team. I’m all about winning,” Blackwell said. “We’re focused on trying to win the conference.
Being a mid-major program, you have no other choice but winning the conference tournament if you want to get into the NCAA Tournament. I want to win as many games as possible.”
Blackwell’s win-first attitude comes from his high school program at Walsh Jesuit in Cuyahoga Hills, Ohio, he said. While Blackwell was there, the Warriors won two state titles and were ranked among the top 30 teams nationally by Baseball America for three years. Blackwell’s attitude is similar to his coach’s, which Blackwell described as “win at all costs.”
Hendrickson, who is in his first season with the Billikens after being named head coach in July 2007, has been impressed with the progress Blackwell has made this season. He said Blackwell is “by far one of our most improved players,” and that he expects Blackwell to continue to produce and generate power out of the middle of their lineup.
The left fielder reverts all of the credit back to the changes that the new coaching staff implemented, especially the organization and specific training program that all of the players are on.
“[A new coaching staff] changes the complexion of the team,” Blackwell said. “It’s really helped everyone on the team to have high expectations. Being mediocre used to be acceptable, but this year is about winning games.”
Last year’s squad, under longtime head coach Bob Hughes, was 16-37, which sealed the end of Hughes’ 19-year stay in the Billikens’ dugout. Over that time, Hughes’ winning percentage was .362. Blackwell said Hendrickson and his coaching staff have what it takes to get the best out of each player on the team and turn around the program.
The Billikens’ trip to Jupiter, Fla., to play the Major League St. Louis Cardinals on Feb. 27, provided Blackwell and the rest of the team an opportunity to see professionals play first-hand. He said the experience was “one-of-a-kind,” and that it gave him an opportunity to reflect on his abilities and put his dreams into perspective.
Should things continue to improve, Blackwell said that he would jump at the opportunity to play post-collegiate ball.
The home opener against SEMO and another home game against Bradley Wednesday, March 5, were both cancelled due to weather, which will hopefully improve for the Hillcrest Ford Bearkat Classic in Huntsville, Texas, March 7-9. The Billikens will play three games in three days, and Blackwell said he expects to win all three.
