By CINDY PETERSON

Bismarck Tribune

Bismarck State baseball coach Len Stanley is glad he's finally done coaching against Justin Connell during the summer months.

Connell has caused Stanley to reach in the medicine cabinet and pop a few antacids during the American Legion season.

In the summer, Stanley coaches the Mandan Chiefs. Connell played for the Bismarck Governors, but because of age restrictions Connell's Legion finished last summer.

Now, Stanley is thankful he has Connell all to himself for BSC's season.

"He has been a pain in my side for the last three summers," Stanley said. "It's fun to have him play for me in the spring and coach against him in the summer. That's one nice thing about coaching in the summer. I get to see a lot of kids."

Connell said he always tried to elevate his level of play against the Chiefs for the annual Fourth of July bash. But it had nothing to do with Stanley.

"It's just playing Mandan more than it is against Len," Connell said. "After the game we goof around. Mandan is a crosstown rival. Every Fourth of July you know you have to step your game up."

Connell made an impact at BSC last season as a freshman utility player. He played as a catcher, first baseman or middle infielder.

The right-hander hit .352 with a slugging percentage of .505. He knocked in 18 runs, belted four doubles and two homers in 91 at-bats. BSC played all but three games with wooden bats.

"A lot of the pitchers pitch inside to you," Connell said. "Playing against teams like Miles City, that are fundamentally sound, you have to play small ball."

Connell started last season hitting No. 3, but went 0-for-21. Stanley dropped him to No. 7 until he got the hang of hitting with a wood bat. He eventually worked his way back up to No. 3.

"He wanted to get me better at-bats until I started picking up the pace of the game," Connell said. "It's a better game with a wood bat. When you hit the ball, you know you've hit it hard."

One of Connell's best attributes is his ability to play in different spots, which Stanley labeled as a valuable commodity.

"When I was growing up my dad said I shouldn't settle on one position," Connell said. "One position makes you less versatile. I love catching the most. You get to call your own games. But as I get older it's harder on my knees."

BSC finished last season at 12-19. In addition to Connell, the Mystics return Matt Hagen (pitcher/infield), Tim Vesel (outfield), Jared Sundby (catcher) and Shane Schoeneberg (pitcher/infield).

The Mystics graduated their two top pitchers - Nate Watson and Josh Standing Elk. Watson plays for the University of Mary and Standing Elk is at Valley City State.

Hagen returns with the most innings pitched with 41-2. Hagen (3-2) fanned 27, walked 13 and gave up eight earned runs.

Schoeneberg (2-1) threw 21 innings, fanned 12, walked 17 and gave up 16 earned runs.

"Around the field we are looking good," Connell said. "Up and down the batting order we are looking good."

The Mystics open up the season against the Jamestown College JV on March 25.

Roster

Sophomores

Matt Hagen, pitcher/infield, Oakes. Justin Connell, infield, Bismarck. Tim Vesel, outfield, Jamestown. Jared Sundby, catcher, Oakes. Shane Schoeneberg, pitcher/infield, Jamestown.

Freshmen

Brian Borr, pitcher, Mandan. Dustin Gregory, infield, West Fargo. Cody Erhardt, outfield, Bismarck. Drew Hausauer, outfield, Bismarck. Andrew Tweet, pitcher/outfield, Mandan. Nick Lang, pitcher/infield, Steele. Bryan Christianson, infield, Glenfield. Zane Axtman, infield, Rugby. Jordan Grover, pitcher/outfield, Cooperstown. T.J. McCauley, pitcher/infield, Kyle, S.D. Eric Paul, pitcher, Linton.