Bouncing back : Pain-free , post-surgery Tschepikow ready to hit field for Diamond Hogs
Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Arkansas' Ben Tschepikow hasn't felt comfortable on the baseball diamond in four years.
A wrist injury in his throwing hand sidelined him in his senior season at Fayetteville High in 2004. Later, chronic back pain debilitated him in his sophomore campaign at the University of Arkansas in 2006. After back surgery in the offseason, the wrist injury from high school was re-aggravated in 2007.
Surgery on his right wrist last summer and a full recovery from back pain - thanks to an earlier surgery - have the former Purple Dog feeling fresh for the first time in nearly half a decade as the Hogs prepare to open the 2008 season Friday.
"The problem with injuries is that you're never 100 percent," the medical redshirt junior said. "It's either a physical problem or a mental problem. It's tough. I've probably been 80 to 85 percent my whole career, basically."
Tschepikow's freshman campaign in 2005 sure didn't seem to be at 80 to 85 percent, though. The second baseman hit. 400 (24 of 60 ) on the season and had 16 RBIs. But then the back pain kicked in, which affected the lefthanded batter tremendously in 2006 when he batted just. 167 in 36 appearances at the plate before he decided it was time for surgery.
Last season proved difficult as he battled the reemergence of his wrist injury and shoulder problems, but he still managed to start 42 games at second base and finished the year with a. 279 batting average.
Two years and two surgeries later, Tschepikow is ready to pick up some slack in 2008.
"I'm 100 percent now. I should be good to go," he said.
Arkansas will need all the experience it can get. Five starters return this season, but at least two are getting over injuries and may not start Friday in the Hogs' season opener against Wright State.
Leftfielder Casey Coon (shoulder ) and shortstop Tim Smalling (shoulder ) are listed as day-to-day. For a squad lacking experience, Tschepikow is being looked at more now to come through at the plate and on defense.
Arkansas skipper Dave Van Horn said the Fayetteville native will likely bat in the No. 2 spot or maybe the 6 or 7 hole when the season starts Friday in Baum Stadium against Wright State at 3: 05 p.m.
"I just want to be in the lineup," Tschepikow said. "I want to contribute any way I can because it doesn't matter where I am."
Van Horn was pleased with the infielder's recovery in the fall and the translation to game-type situations.
Coming off wrist surgery this summer, Tschepikow started off slow in fall drills but managed to find his stride late in practices and in the club's Cardinal and White series in October.
"He was our best hitter in that series," Van Horn said. "He had a couple of home runs, doubles, singles.
"… We're excited that Ben is healthy for the first time probably since his freshman year. We expect him to have a really good season for us."
Tschepikow came alive defensively at second base in the SEC Tournament last season. The then-sophomore twice robbed South Carolina of a go-ahead run and hit with diving stops behind the pitching of Duke Welker in a 3-2 win in the tournament's semifinals.
This season, team-wise, has proven to be quite different for the Razorbacks. Gone are Top 10 rankings and votes and predictions to finish atop the SEC Western Division after nine players were drafted in the offseason.
But talent abounds in the Razorbacks' young clubhouse, Tschepikow said, and it could prove to be fruitful.
"I prefer being under the radar," he said. "We don't have the targets on our backs, and we can come in as the underdogs.... It's something we like and I think it will make the year more fun."
Tschepikow lives by a mantra, even through his injuries and battles - everything happens for a reason, he said.
"I've gone through a lot here," he said. I've gone from a young man to a real man, now. I'm a better person, I'm a better player. I hope to go out there and show the fans what I've been working on because I've been working hard."
But can he stay healthy for the first time in five seasons ?
"I know I can. I will," Tschepikow said. "I got through the whole [year ] without anything wrong. I'm ready to go. It should be a good year."
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