The Barometer Online

Issue date: 5/13/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Peter Strong Sophomore Joey Wong has made a habit of turning double plays and singles into doubles.

When the 2008 baseball season began, there were several holes in the roster that needed to be filled after some of the most productive players in Oregon State history left for the professional ranks. One of those positions was shortstop.

After the departure of Darwin Barney, who was perhaps the best shortstop in Oregon State history, the Beavers needed someone to be the new leader of the infield. They did not have to look far.

In fact, it was the young freshman who was Barney's double play partner during his final season that stepped in to take the job - a soft spoken young man and a former shortstop by the name of Joey Wong.

"I'm used to playing short," Wong said. "I played it my whole life until last year. It's been a real comfortable move."

Normally, being soft spoken is not a quality coaches look for in a shortstop. The shortstop is the leader of the infield, and being quiet and trying to lead usually do not go hand in hand. But there are intangibles that also must be taken into account to be a leader.

"I think with the position he plays you have to be a leader," Coach Pat Casey said. "Joey's a quiet kid and he usually leads by how hard he plays."

Playing hard is never the question with Wong and neither is his dependability. As of Sunday the Beavers have played 43 games and Wong is the only player besides designated hitter Jason Ogata to start in every game for Oregon State this season. Much of that is due to player rotation, but it is also a testament to the importance of Wong on the field.

Defensively he is one of, if not the best defensive player on the team and that was evident on Sunday against UCLA when Wong made a series of great plays at shortstop.

"It's something I take pride in," Wong said. "Defense is a huge part of the game. Coach Casey always stresses that defense and pitching wins games."

The other part of the game that most people tend to focus on is the offense. Although his numbers are not where they were last year, Casey is not worried about his already battle tested sophomore and what he brings to the table every day.

Continued...

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