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Meschke understands role, happy to be in postseason

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By STEVE ELLIS

The Tallahassee Democrat

Published: June 5, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - The top step of the dugout.

Mike Meschke understands that may be the closest he gets to any action during the Tallahassee Super Regional. The junior went 6-for-8 in two starts at first base during the NCAA regional but Jack Posey, considered the stronger of the two defensively, could be on the field when Florida State opens against Arkansas today.

Still, Meschke thinks about his vantage point for last year's super regional at Dick Howser Stadium as Florida State punched its ticket for Omaha. Meschke had just finished final exams at North Florida Community College that morning before taking the hour drive to Tallahassee to watch FSU lose the opener to Wichita State.

"It's pretty cool," the junior reserve first baseman said of the opportunity to be part of the NCAA postseason. "Strange to think that a year ago I was watching in the bleachers, and now have a chance to be playing."

A chance to play but no guarantee.

Meschke has started 14 games this season as either a first baseman or designated hitter. Even with Posey in a long slump - he entered the NCAA postseason going 4-for-49 since April 19 - his defensive play kept him in the lineup and Meschke out.

To that end, Meschke has spent a lot of time with assistant coach Mike Martin Jr. at first base as well as at the plate.

"Junior and I have worked a lot on just the way I receive balls at first base," Meschke said. "Really, that's been the one thing we've worked on defensively. Offensively, it's just been keep your weight back and keep your hands back, and be ready to hit good pitches that you get."

In a start against Georgia in the second game of the Tallahassee Regional, Meschke helped himself with a couple of nice plays on wayward throws to first. He also went 1-for-3. In the championship game he contributed five of FSU's whopping 38 hits. Meschke also added five runs and four RBIs.

"I knew against Georgia that anything I did offensively was a plus," said Meschke. "I just focused on playing defense and I think I had more fun playing defense in that game than I ever did in my life."

Meschke calls it a strange season but not one he had given up on heading into the postseason. His approach hasn't gone unnoticed.

"Great attitude," FSU coach Mike Martin said. "The young man has not gotten as much playing time as we thought this year. Other people were playing better than he was.

"Now he is getting some chances and we hope he continues to play."

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