Sharts Missing in Action at Miami : Simi Valley Graduate Splits First College Season Between Bench and Bullpen

Scott Sharts stood ready, baseball in hand, atop the bullpen mound at Rosenblatt Stadium. He was waiting for a summons from Miami Coach Ron Fraser during the eighth and ninth innings of Tuesday night’s game between Miami and Louisiana State in the College World Series.

Sharts, 6-foot-6, 222 pounds, would have preferred to be standing in the on-deck circle with a bat in his gloved hands. But when you’re a freshman at Miami and your name isn’t Alex Fernandez, you take what opportunities you can get.

Unfortunately for Sharts, the call never came during a 6-3 loss to LSU that eliminated the Hurricanes from the eight-team tournament.

The lack of game action Tuesday concluded for Sharts a season of unexpected inactivity.

Recruited as a first baseman and pitcher out of Simi Valley High, Sharts opened the season as the Hurricanes’ starting first baseman against left-handers. But, midway through the season, he began to be used almost exclusively--and rarely--as a pitcher.

Sharts, who set a Southern Section record at Simi Valley with 32 career home runs, finished the season with only 36 at-bats--his last one coming on April 7 against Florida State. He compiled a .222 average with no home runs and three runs batted in and struck out 15 times.

As a pitcher, Sharts was 1-0. He gave up eight hits, struck out 19 and walked 14 in 18 1/3 innings.

“I have to say, it wasn’t what I expected,” Sharts said. “It started out to be, but with my role changing, it has been frustrating because it’s tough for me to take not hitting.

“There’s a part of me that says its unlikely for a freshman to be starting all the time, but there’s another part of me saying I was told I was going to come in and be a hitter. Nothing was said about just being a pitcher.”

Sharts, who chose to attend Miami over Oklahoma State and Pepperdine, spent the final weeks of the season taking batting practice with wood bats rather than aluminum in preparation for summer competition in the Jayhawk League in Wichita, Kan.

“I’m looking forward to summer ball,” Sharts said. “I’m going to go out there and I’m going to hit 15 or something home runs and I’m just going to tell the coach, ‘Hey, I can hit, just give me the opportunity.’ ”

Despite his limited playing time this season, Sharts said that he is excited about returning to Miami next season.

When he shows up for fall practice, he plans to be lighter--about 15 pounds so--and quicker.

“I’ve decided I’m really going to work hard on my running, tone up my muscles and really get strong this summer,” Sharts said. “I’m going to come back in good shape and prove to people that I can do it.”

“They always say your freshman year is the toughest year and I’ll go along with that.

“But Miami is a good place and they got me where I wanted to be--in the World Series. Not too many freshman can say they were there their first year. Just being a part of it has been awesome.”