Coming full circle

Mike Lissman has returned to his freshman form after becoming a role player the previous season

By: Casey Grogan

Posted: 4/5/07

It has become a seemingly re-occurring theme for the Oregon State baseball team: a senior returning and having a year that stands out above the three previous in orange and black.

"Every year one guy comes out of nowhere," senior outfielder Mike Lissman said. "That's just how baseball is."

During the OSU first run at Omaha, first baseman Andy Jenkins lit up the stat book and performed at a high level. Last season Chris Kunda played so well at second base the Pac-10 created an award to give to him. This season Lissman looks to be having his breakout season, proving an extra year of polishing can make these Beaver athletes just a little bit better.

"Hopefully it is just the time spent," coach Pat Casey said. "Just putting in the work and getting better every year. We have a program that allows guys the time and ability to do that. The numbers he has put up are really strong, he's done an incredible job in leftfield and as a leader."

Lissman played his high school ball at Ontario High School in Eastern Oregon. As a senior, Lissman had a big year hitting .529 and 10 home runs on his way to an All-State selection. His success translated into a chance to play Pac-10 baseball at Oregon State.

"One of the reasons I chose Oregon State was the small town atmosphere," Lissman said. "Little college town is more of my setting. It was a change playing on a field like this from a field where you have to chase the cows off it before the game."

The hot streak Lissman had in his final year at Ontario continued in his first year as a Beaver. The freshman earned a starting spot by hitting .349 and eight home runs.

The fast start gave Lissman confidence, confidence which was added to the following year when the vocal young outfielder was named a co-captain.

"Even my freshman year I was a very vocal person," Lissman said. "That is just the kind of person I am. Leaders are just born, I guess. My most important role is as a leader and keeping these guys together. Mitch (Canham) and I are the vocal guys so that is our role."

As a sophomore, Lissman was asked to be a leader for Oregon State and its upperclassmen. Despite a decline in offensive numbers, Lissman remained as a starting outfielder as the Beavers went to the College World Series for the first time since 1952.

"They didn't know who I was (freshmen year)," Lissman said. "They didn't know how to pitch me. Every year they have pitched me a little different because they see you more and more."

Lissman continued to help lead the Beavers by example while entering his junior season. Along with fellow juniors such as Cole Gillespie and Jonah Nickerson, Lissman prepared for a draft-eligible season. The only issue was, unlike Gillespie and Nickerson who had set roles for OSU, Lissman became a role player.

"I didn't get drafted like it was planned," Lissman said. "I figured I might as well come back and make it a year with Mitch coming back too."

Splitting time between the outfield and designated hitter, Lissman improved his offensive numbers and played a pivotal role in the National Championship victory for the Beavers. Lissman continues his awareness for doing what is best for the team whether it means laying down a bunt or having to pinch hit.

Lissman is one of five seniors on the OSU ball club in a sport that does not play home to many seniors, with players being drafted out of high school and during college.

"I think Mike has done a great job making adjustments in our program," Casey said. "There were some rocky times when I think he thought everything important happened on the baseball field. I think he has learned that there is a lot that is important on and off the field. I am proud of his adjustments and he has become a great team leader."

At the start of the 2007 season, Lissman was swinging the hot stick for the Beavers, hitting a home run in the Beavers fourth game of the season. The bat stayed hot for Lissman as he provided big hits in wins against Georgia and Sacramento State. While playing a tournament in Texas, Lissman totaled six hits in three games before returning home to deliver the game-winning double against Evansville in the series finale.

Now hitting .330 with 32 RBI, Lissman is ready to play one last time with the older guys on the team as well as all of the new faces.

"I want to go out with a bang," Lissman said. "We always talk about winning the last game of your career well the only way to do that is to win it all."