Spring Break
Coming full circle
Mike Lissman has returned to his freshman form after becoming a role player the previous season
Casey Grogan
Issue date: 4/5/07 Section: Sports
"They didn't know who I was (freshmen year)," Lissman said. "They didn't know how to pitch me. Every year they have pitched me a little different because they see you more and more."
Lissman continued to help lead the Beavers by example while entering his junior season. Along with fellow juniors such as Cole Gillespie and Jonah Nickerson, Lissman prepared for a draft-eligible season. The only issue was, unlike Gillespie and Nickerson who had set roles for OSU, Lissman became a role player.
"I didn't get drafted like it was planned," Lissman said. "I figured I might as well come back and make it a year with Mitch coming back too."
Splitting time between the outfield and designated hitter, Lissman improved his offensive numbers and played a pivotal role in the National Championship victory for the Beavers. Lissman continues his awareness for doing what is best for the team whether it means laying down a bunt or having to pinch hit.
Lissman is one of five seniors on the OSU ball club in a sport that does not play home to many seniors, with players being drafted out of high school and during college.
"I think Mike has done a great job making adjustments in our program," Casey said. "There were some rocky times when I think he thought everything important happened on the baseball field. I think he has learned that there is a lot that is important on and off the field. I am proud of his adjustments and he has become a great team leader."
At the start of the 2007 season, Lissman was swinging the hot stick for the Beavers, hitting a home run in the Beavers fourth game of the season. The bat stayed hot for Lissman as he provided big hits in wins against Georgia and Sacramento State. While playing a tournament in Texas, Lissman totaled six hits in three games before returning home to deliver the game-winning double against Evansville in the series finale.
Now hitting .330 with 32 RBI, Lissman is ready to play one last time with the older guys on the team as well as all of the new faces.
"I want to go out with a bang," Lissman said. "We always talk about winning the last game of your career well the only way to do that is to win it all."
Lissman continued to help lead the Beavers by example while entering his junior season. Along with fellow juniors such as Cole Gillespie and Jonah Nickerson, Lissman prepared for a draft-eligible season. The only issue was, unlike Gillespie and Nickerson who had set roles for OSU, Lissman became a role player.
"I didn't get drafted like it was planned," Lissman said. "I figured I might as well come back and make it a year with Mitch coming back too."
Splitting time between the outfield and designated hitter, Lissman improved his offensive numbers and played a pivotal role in the National Championship victory for the Beavers. Lissman continues his awareness for doing what is best for the team whether it means laying down a bunt or having to pinch hit.
Lissman is one of five seniors on the OSU ball club in a sport that does not play home to many seniors, with players being drafted out of high school and during college.
"I think Mike has done a great job making adjustments in our program," Casey said. "There were some rocky times when I think he thought everything important happened on the baseball field. I think he has learned that there is a lot that is important on and off the field. I am proud of his adjustments and he has become a great team leader."
At the start of the 2007 season, Lissman was swinging the hot stick for the Beavers, hitting a home run in the Beavers fourth game of the season. The bat stayed hot for Lissman as he provided big hits in wins against Georgia and Sacramento State. While playing a tournament in Texas, Lissman totaled six hits in three games before returning home to deliver the game-winning double against Evansville in the series finale.
Now hitting .330 with 32 RBI, Lissman is ready to play one last time with the older guys on the team as well as all of the new faces.
"I want to go out with a bang," Lissman said. "We always talk about winning the last game of your career well the only way to do that is to win it all."
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