Seniors prepare to move on

As the season begins to wind down, and the academic year comes to a close, IU baseball's seniors reflect on their careers in Bloomington. For some, a shot at the pros is assured, while others would just be happy to continue playing baseball any way possible.\nSenior pitcher Chris Behrens said he hopes to continue playing baseball after he graduates.\n"I want to try and live out my dream of playing pro ball," Behrens said. "But you know, if that doesn't work out then I'll probably just go back home and start a career."\nCurrently, the Hoosier who stands the best chance of becoming a professional baseball player is senior shortstop Seth Bynum. After his junior season, Bynum was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 38th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Since coming back for his senior season, he has hit .401 with six home runs, 52 RBI and 18 stolen bases.\nWhile Bynum may stand out as a prospect for the pros, virtually the rest of the Hoosiers graduating may find themselves playing professionally somewhere next year. Senior outfielder Kevin Mahar was second on the team in batting average (.345) and RBI (44) and led the team with 12 home runs. Senior third baseman David Hughes hit just .237 but had a .944 fielding percentage. Senior catcher Cody Wargo hit .259 after beginning the season in a slump and totaled 21 RBI with three home runs.\nBehrens and senior pitcher Adam Pegg, who went 3-2 on the year with a 3.57 ERA and three saves also stands a good chance to play professionally next year. Behrens went 0-3 with a 5.34 ERA but did lead all Hoosier relievers in strikeouts with 28.\nWargo said his only regret is not being able to win a Big Ten championship.\n"So far, my only regret is not yet winning the Big Ten title," Wargo said. "I pretty much came in here with open arms to anything, so winning a Big Ten title is something I want to do and hopefully we can pull it off this year."\nLooking back on the season, the most memorable victory came against Minnesota in the series finale April 11. Minnesota entered the day having won its previous three games against the Hoosiers, needing only one more victory to sweep IU at home. The Golden Gophers took a five-run lead in the top of the fourth, only to have the Hoosiers get three runs back in the bottom of the inning. Still trailing by two runs an inning later, the Hoosier bats came alive to score six runs. The Golden Gophers were unable to get any muster any more offense and eventually fell 9-6. The win helped the Hoosiers avoid their first four-game series sweep at home since 1986.\nPitcher Nick Vitielliss said his favorite memory is his experience at the Big Ten tournament.\n"I'd say my most memorable time was going to the Big Ten tournament with everybody," Vitielliss said. "It was just a lot of fun."\nThe Hoosiers (23-21, 7-13), with all their seniors in tow, continue play this weekend with a four-game series at Michigan State against the Spartans. \n-- Contact staff writer Cory Steger at csteger@indiana.edu.