So during the Ivy Championship Series, a full year after his last pitching appearance, Walsh inserted Salsgiver into the all-important game three. He threw 2 2/3 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief with his velocity topping out at 92 miles per hour and ensured that he’d be seeing a lot more time on the mound this season.

“Honestly, it felt pretty good [to pitch again],” Salsgiver said, “but I was a little surprised when he called me out there in the middle of the Ivy Championships.”

Walsh will be calling his name a lot this season. The only question is when.

“How we’re going to use him is going to be interesting. I’ll be looking to use him as a closer in the first three games on a weekend,” Walsh said, “and if it he doesn’t have to pitch in the first three, then in the fourth game we might give him the ball in the fifth inning.”

Salsgiver was both a starter and a reliever—along with an all-American shortstop—in high school, but thinks that the closer role may be the best fit for him this season.

“I think I’ll enjoy coming into the game as the closer,” Salsgiver said. “Hopefully, we’ll be up by a few runs and the guys on the team will be looking to me to go out there and get the win. I think that’s more exciting.”

FILLING THE HOLES

Though Brunning, Hendricks and senior Mike Morgalis all return from last year’s Ivy weekend rotation, the graduation of Kenon Ronz leaves a noticeable vacancy in the No. 4 spot.

Though the squad has over a month of games before the all-important Ivy season begins at Cornell on April 3, Walsh thinks he may already have found his fourth starter—sophomore Frank Hermann.

“Right now it’s Frank Hermann,” Walsh said. “He’s looked terrific throwing in practice. Not only is he ready to help us on the mound, but he’s ready to help us in the batter’s box.”

Hermann threw only 3 1/3 innings last season, but has shown extra pop on his fastball recently topping out near 90 miles per hour during practices.

Junior Marc Hordon—who missed all of last season due to shoulder surgery—was expected to provide a tremendous boost to this year’s staff. However, he has still not made a full recovery, and his role is uncertain.

During his last season—a stellar sophomore campaign in 2002—Hordon was the team’s No. 2 pitcher behind third-round draft pick Ben Crockett ’02.

—Staff writer Lande A. Spottswood can be reached at spottsw@fas.harvard.edu.