For coach Paul Stevens, Northwestern’s success this season comes down to one thing. “We’ve got to pitch,” he said.The task may seem simple, but it is easier said than done.En route to a disappointing 18-36 campaign last season, including 9-24 in the Big Ten, NU’s pitching struggled to keep the team in games. The rotation gave up the second-most hits in the Big Ten and finished with a 6.70 ERA, good for ninth of 10 teams in the conference (Wisconsin does not field a team).As bad as last year was, this season may not be much better. The team lost last season’s top-two starters, Ryan Myers and Dan Schwartz, to graduation. Thus, Stevens will be forced to rely on an inexperienced group. To make matters worse, sophomore Cole Livermore, who led last year’s team with four complete games, suffered an arm injury and will require season-ending surgery. This leaves the lone returning starter, sophomore Joe Muraski, as the team’s de facto ace. He will be followed by a rotation-by-committee, which likely will include seniors Matt Havey and Bo Schultz, who were both relievers last year. Still, they should give the rotation some much-needed experience.”Though this staff is young, they have a veteran attitude,” Schultz said. “My greatest influence is work ethic on and off the field … because when one of us succeeds we all succeed. We practice as a staff and we win as a staff.” While the presence of Schultz and Havey should boost the rotation, it will hurt an already depleted relief core. With some young arms on the mound, the bullpen may pitch a lot more innings coming off a season in which it posted an 11.37 ERA.The rotation will also need help from a defense that committed 96 errors – most in the Big Ten – and finished last in the conference with a .950 fielding percentage. “Defensively, I think we need to attack the ball a bit more,” junior infielder Tommy Finn said. “Most teams would say, ‘Let’s have less errors,’ but we want to be a team that makes the most plays.” If the pitching does hold up, the Cats have a shot at surprising some people. While NU finished ninth in the conference in batting last season, this year’s lineup, led by senior third baseman Jake Owens, has the potential to put up some good numbers.Owens, who was named Second Team All-Big Ten last season after batting .385 with an NU-record 85 hits, will be crucial to the Cats’ attack. Also looking to build off breakout seasons will be 2007 Big Ten freshman-of-the year Jake Goebbert (.335, 14 doubles) and oft-injured senior Mike Kalina (.304, 34 RBIs). “Our job has always been to produce runs and make our pitchers feel more comfortable on the mound,” Owens said. “The more we can do that, the more relaxed the team can play as a whole.”The team should also get a boost from a strong freshman class. Pitcher Eric Jokisch, pitcher/outfielder Charlie Finch and pitcher/first baseman Matt Gailey should see a lot of playing time. Their development will be a key to NU’s success.”My expectations are to put the team in best position to win the game at hand.” Jokisch said. “The only pressure I feel are the nerves of new experience.”NU does have the fortune of competing in the Big Ten, which is not known for its baseball prowess. Michigan is the conference’s only ranked team (at No. 8) and is the preseason favorite. But beyond the Wolverines and perhaps Ohio State and Minnesota, the conference is wide open. Penn State and Purdue do have some good players, but with the right bounces the Cats have as good a chance as any to compete, they said.”As in any sport, on any given day, anybody can find a way to upset the applecart,” Stevens said. “We’re looking to fly under the radar a little bit and hopefully cause a little havoc in the Big Ten.”