Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 25, 1997)
i.’rjj MU8WHH I'age vs ust call Jason Tyner 'Mr. Single' By Jamie Burch The Battauon |o% students avidly watch datelek wonders try to hook up Ion Ml'foi&uigled Out. Texas A&M homore outlmcler Jason Tyner, a [admitted Jenny^cCarthy admirer, fid be the show’s inject contestant, wse he is “Mr, SinglSULast season, le hitting an impressiv^JO?, 'lyner |3 singles with no home rin per has never been and nefer will listaken for a power hitter. Imto? ter-at-bats, the 6Toot sophomoi [hit 103 singles and no home runs. 1 ' (ugh he has hit a phenomenal .419 High 63 games, Ty n t* r has only con- ted nine times for extra base hits it doubles, and one triple). (ware of his knack for hitting singles, jersaid he is not bothered by his lack lower. [1 just like hitting,” Tyner said. “If 1 ever thorite run, I’d be pretty excited. 1 did )ne home run in batting practice last and everyone dogpiled me. Practice stopped for about five minutes. [(Head) Coach (Mark) Johnson Us me to hit it on the ground, so t’s what 1 mainly focus on. Who jws, I might hit one out if the wind lowing out one day.” Johnson said lyner needs to take ad- tageof his strengths and not worry jut going deep. JHe (Tyner) won’t be as good a hit- §fhe tries to hit for power,” Johnson “He’s got to use his talents. His [nts are speed, getting out of the (well, putting the bail in play, and [ping the ball on the ground. “That’s the most impressive thing. He the plate.” doesn’t try to do more than he should do. Prior to his sophomore year at A&M, He knows what his role is, what his lyner was invited to try out for the Unit- weapons are, and he stays with it.” Senior outfielder johnny Hunter,acknowl edging that the team constantly kids Tyner about not going long, said he respects the sophomore's ability. “He’s hard on himself,” Hunter said. “He’s a com petitor. He brings a lot of competitiveness to the He’s a great player antmlot of fun to watch.” Sirius are just part of Tyner’s game. The sopWnore is also a threat on the basepathTM, year as a freshman, lyn er set a singr||season record for most stolen bases wuMl. Clocked at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, pfener was caught just five times in 46 attertmts. The speedster said\e was excited about breaking the recor “It was a real big thrill for flteto come in and contribute right away,” T%r said. "I like stolen bases, so it was a lot oljun Johnson respects Tyner’s speed, said the sophomore changes the outlod of the game when he is on the basepaths. “When he gets on base, it’s a major problem for the pitcher and catcher,” Johnson said. "They have to change up a little bit. The catcher probably won’t lo cate the pitches as well to the next hitter because he’s concentrating on lyner get ting a jump. “When the catcher’s focus is ta*en away, the hitter has an advantage at j “Coach Johnson wants me to hit it on the ground, so that’s what I mainly focus on.” Jason Tyner Sophomore outfielder ed States Olympic Base ball Team (Jan. 10-12). Tyner turned in an im pressive performance, hitting .500 Oof-14), while scoring seven runs in four games. He was also perfect between the bases, successfully steal ing base twice. Reminiscing about past Olympic teams, Tyn er said he would love to represent his country. “[Trying out) was one of the biggest thrills of my life,” Tyner said. “Playing for Team USA would be the ultimate amateur ac complishment, besides winning the national championship. “I went to the 1984 Olympics and watched (Will) Clark, (Mark) McGwire, and (Rafael) Palmeiro. I just love the uni form, the hats, and everything about it.” Though Tyner is only a sophomore, he said he has thought about one day play ing Major League Baseball. “I would like to get drafted,” lyner said. “But, education is No. 1 for me. I’m not going to rely on it, until it happens. ht now, I’m just enjoying college base- bmafthopins the Aggies can win the natilfiaimampionship this year.” nerj|ld his downplay of the ‘ Shg^l^ims from the fact that he t drafted out of high school. He s fan only laugh that the scouts are now knocking down his door. See Tyner, Page 4 1 7 . ::vr-/ mm Ji y . •: - : • : v T' or pressure to perform By Krishna Buffi n The Battauon Ireshman pitcher Casey Possum knows : a little something about pressure. A Baseball America All-American 'her his senior year at Midway Higl\ fool in Waco, Possum was highly rj (iteci by both college teams and prples- ial teams. Respite being drafted in thj^eventh N by the Arizona Diamoijjmcks, Fos- p made the choice to atJmd A&M and ^college ball [There is the mon^but I wanted an icatton,” Fossi^n said. “The money Rot enougl^) miss the opportunity educath Wmmd gained enough experience in Wfh school and elsewhere to join for Leagues. He was one of four r players invited to the USA Team Tri- fin Tampa, Fla., in January. issum threw the most strikeouts of jy tcher with eight in four innings of re- e only walked one and earned a win pH i White team. iM Pitching Coach Jim Lawler said Possum’s sug^ss at the trials will help him in hiswst season with the Aggies. “As aJffishman to be playing in a na- tionaj^furnament gives him inner-confi- demto and to be successful adds a feather lis hat,” Lawler said. “I have definitely Teen his on the field confidence.” A&M Head Coach Mark Johnson said Possum’s experience this summer and at the trials gave Possum the confidence he needs to compete at the college level. “When you get into a big arena on a na tional level,” Johnson said. “It gives you confidence to compete against other guys and compare himself against other people his own age.” This confidence has translated into suc cess in the infancy of the baseball season. For the first time during the Mark Johnson era, Possum started the open ing game of the season. Against South west Texas State, Possum worked five innings and allowed only five hits and one earned run. He walked three and struck out three. Lawler said Possum will be able to adjust and get better as he pitches more games. “He’s a focused kid who had a high level of success in the summer leagues,” Lawler said. “He’s ready and he’s going to adjust as he throws because he’s not going to be able to adjust until he goes into a game.” Possum was an inte- gral reason A&M’s re cruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the na tion. ' 11 y 1 :<r Hi mr ..jvgBft Of A&M’s 11 recruits, eight were drafted by major league ball clubs. Possum said the pressure to perform and prove what scouts are ex pecting of him will only make him better. “The pressure gives me a reason to stay and get better,” Possum said. “I like the pressure.” Perhaps Possum’s greatest contribution to the team this season will be that he is only one of four pitchers who throws lefthanded. “A lefthanded pitcher is a priority anytime,” Lawler said. See Fossum, Page 4