Junior's offense tops the Big Ten

When you look at the burly 6-foot-1, 200 pound third baseman, you just know that he's launched some fence-clearing bombs in his career.\nAnd that's exactly what junior Vasili Spanos has done in three seasons on the IU baseball team. \nSpanos may not be the biggest guy on the field, but he plays like a giant and has made his presence felt since his freshmen year. \n"He's a strong, powerful kid," coach Bob Morgan said. "He had a real good freshman year, but he's had to battle some injuries and last year I think he just tried to do too much. He just has to let the game come to him."\nSpanos has been letting the game come to him this year, and has put up Barry Bonds-like numbers along the way. \nSpanos leads the team with a .449 batting average, a .929 slugging percentage, a .547 on-base percentage, 12 doubles, 11 home runs, 44 RBI, and 24 walks. About the only thing he does not do is steal bases, but he has stolen one base in his only attempt.\nEven the Big Ten cannot ignore his hitting prowess. Spanos earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks this season, and his numbers rank highly in most offensive categories as of April 8.\nHe holds the conference's top spot in home runs, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and RBI. Spanos is second in hits behind teammate junior Kennard Jones, and is also second in doubles and walks.\nArguably his most impressive stat is his 24 walks compared to only 11 strikeouts.\n"I've gotten a lot more disciplined than I have been in the past," Spanos said. "Pitchers don't usually get me out. I swing at bad pitches and get myself out, but I've been more patient.\n"I just keep my hands back, and try to hit the ball as hard as I can."\nSpanos said he can see himself professionally, but it will be tough.\n"He has the ability to move up to the next level if he continues to work hard," Morgan said. "He runs good for a big guy, but like outfielders, guys at the corner positions are a dime-a-dozen."\nThis is especially true this year. Four of the top prospects in the Major Leagues play third base: Hank Blalock (Texas Rangers), Sean Burroughs (San Diego Padres), Morgan Ensberg (Houston Astros), and Eric Hinske (Toronto Blue Jays). \nBut for now, Spanos hopes to help the team remain on top of the Big Ten standings. His contributions at the plate cannot be ignored, but he also helps while in the on-deck circle as well.\nSophomore Mark Calkins is another prolific slugger on IU's squad, and he feels he owes his success to the fact that Spanos follows him in the batting order.\n"It's helped me out tremendously," Calkins said. "They don't want to pitch around me and I've seen a lot more fastballs this year. Every time I go up to the plate, I know I'll get at least one good fastball to hit and that's probably why I am hitting so well this year"