June 24, 2007

Story by Marty Mishow, Southeast Missourian

Zach Blemker's baseball career at Southeast Missouri State hasn't really gotten off the ground yet.

Blemker hopes a strong summer season with the Plaza Tire Capahas will help propel him into a big senior campaign with the Redhawks.

The native of Vincennes, Ind., leads the Capahas with a .486 batting average through the first 15 games of the season.

"I definitely feel like I can carry this over into the fall," said Blemker after Saturday's home doubleheader with the St. Louis Golden Spikes was washed out by a brief but heavy rain shower in the fourth inning of the opener.

"Things haven't really worked out for me yet [at Southeast], but I think this will really help me get back in the groove. I hope to make my senior year a good one."

Blemker is among 16 Southeast products playing for the Capahas this summer, but he is the only one with collegiate eligibility remaining.

In that regard, continuing to improve and gain confidence is probably more important for him than for most of his Plaza Tire teammates.

"I think this summer can be very important for Zach," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said. "If nothing else, getting that four times at bat a game.

"And for his confidence, this should be really good for him. I don't know why he can't have a really good season for SEMO next year."

Blemker, who can play a variety of infield positions, already has more at-bats during his first season with the Capahas than he had during his entire junior year at Southeast.

Blemker has 17 hits in 35 official plate appearances. He is tied for the team lead with two home runs while leading the squad with 18 runs scored. He also has two doubles and 10 RBIs.

"He's really raking the ball," Plaza Tire catcher Levi Olson said. "And he's been hitting whatever good pitching we face."

Blemker transferred to Southeast from Vincennes (Ind.) University -- a junior college -- for the 2006 season, but he redshirted after having elbow surgery.

He had high hopes for his junior campaign this year and began the season as the Redhawks' starting shortstop.

But Blemker struggled at the plate and soon found himself on the bench. He started four games the entire year, all coming in the opening weeks of the season.

Blemker wound up playing in 32 of Southeast's 56 games, but most of those appearances were either as a pinch-runner or late defensive replacement, primarily at first base.

Blemker finished with two hits in 25 at-bats for an .080 average.

"I just had a rough stretch at the start and never got back into the swing of things," Blemker said. "It was frustrating because I became a role player and I know I'm better than that."

Southeast coach Mark Hogan also believes Blemker can be much more than a role player for the Redhawks.

Hogan said he has taken notice of what Blemker is doing with the Capahas and, like the player himself, hopes it will carry over into fall workouts and then the 2008 season.

"I have noticed that," Hogan said. "I think Zach has the ability to be a good player for us and it's nice to see him doing well this summer."

Blemker, who has primarily played first base for the Capahas so far -- along with some third base and shortstop -- enjoyed plenty of success at Vincennes University playing for his father, junior college hall of fame coach Jerry Blemker.

In 2005, Blemker hit .471 to set a school record and rank sixth in the nation among junior college players.

"I hit well both my years there," Blemker said. "I know I'm capable of doing that again."

He's proving it with the Capahas, and hopes to also prove it during his final college season.