Second baseman Kyle Sisney recently quit the team, according to several sources. He is no longer listed on the roster on goshockers.com. Neither Sisney nor WSU coach Gene Stephenson have returned calls yet, so I don’t know Sisney’s plans. I would guess a junior college (or a lower-level four-year school) is a local destination, because he would have to sit out a year at another Division I school.
Sisney, from Broken Arrow, Okla., started 10 games and played in 21 for WSU in 2008. He hit .135.
His departure leaves WSU thin at second and shortstop. Sophomore Taylor Brown is the only returner with any experience – he played in 28 games and started four. Junior-college transfer Will Baez is the likely starter at second. Brown can play both spots. Freshmen Tyler Grimes and Chance Sossamon can play shortstop. After that, it’s a guess. One injury or unforeseen occurrence could put WSU in a bad spot on the infield. Sisney, a redshirt sophomore, played well this fall. I think he could have helped the Shockers in a reserve role.
It’s a dramatically different picture than at the end of the season, when WSU coaches figured they would start junior Dusty Coleman at shortstop and freshman Logan Watkins at second.
- WSU received good news recently regarding the indoor practice facility. Estimates by the architects say the $4.7 million raised will cover costs for new turf at Eck Stadium and the indoor building. That could change after bids come in. Considering the economy and the price of materials, getting to this point in the ballpark of costs is a big plus.
- Athletic director Eric Sexton wants to put the project out to bid next month. The goal is to start building late in the spring in order to get it finished by next fall.
- WSU will go with FieldTurf on the infield at Eck Stadium and in the indoor practice fieldhouse. Kansas State, Washburn, Creighton, Oregon State, Louisville, Texas Tech and Tulane are among the colleges with FieldTurf. Stephenson said the only dirt on the infield will be on the pitcher’s mound. He would like to put the turf in for the 2009 season. However, that may depend on the weather.