Click here for the printer-friendly (PDF) version of this release
BAY CITY, Mich. — The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) baseball coaches selected Grand Valley State University to win the league title in the 2013 GLIAC Baseball Preseason Poll. The league expands to 12 teams for the 2013 season with the addition of Walsh University and Malone University.
The league's head coaches participated in the balloting, but were not allowed to vote for their team.
GVSU finished on top of the 2013 GLIAC Preseason poll after claiming the 2012 GLIAC regular season and tournament championships with a 43-16 overall record. The Lakers garnered 117 points and seven first-place votes.
|
2013 GLIAC Baseball |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
|
Place |
School (1st votes) |
Points |
|
|
1. |
Grand Valley State (7) |
117 |
|
|
2. |
Wayne State (4) |
104 |
|
|
3. |
Ashland (1) |
97 |
|
|
4. |
Saginaw Valley State |
88 |
|
|
5. |
Lake Erie |
75 |
|
|
6. |
Ohio Dominican |
73 |
|
|
7. |
Tiffin |
65 |
|
|
8. |
Northwood |
39 |
|
|
9. |
Malone |
37 |
|
|
10. |
Hillsdale |
31 |
|
| 11. |
Findlay |
30 |
|
|
12. |
Walsh |
28 |
|
Wayne State University was picked to finish second with 104 points and four first-place votes. Ashland University placed third in the poll with 97 points and one first-place vote, followed by Saginaw Valley State University with 88 points, in fourth place.
Lake Erie College collected 75 points, just edging out Ohio Dominican University for fifth place with 73 points. Tiffin University tallied 65 points to finish seventh in the poll. Northwood University grabbed eighth place and tallied 39 points, followed closely by Malone University by two votes, with 37 to finish in ninth place.
Hillsdale College finished 10th with 31 points, followed by the University of Findlay in 11th (30 points) and the Walsh University in 12th with 28 points.
This season, the GLIAC Baseball Tournament will be played at Oestrike Stadium at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich. on May 8-11.
For more information about GLIAC baseball please visit the GLIAC baseball web page at: www.gliac.org.
-- The following are previews of all 12 GLIAC Baseball teams for the 2013 season --
Grand Valley State Lakers
Head Coach: Jamie Detillion
1st Season
2013 Preseason Pick: 1st
2012 Record: (43-16, 27-9 GLIAC)
OVERVIEW: The Grand Valley State University baseball team will usher in a new era this spring, as Jamie Detillion takes the reigns at the head coaching position after Steve Lyon's retirement. GVSU finished the year 43-16 overall, including GLIAC regular season and tournament championships. This season, the Lakers return 13 letterwinners and eight starters, including four all-region performers, NCAA Division II Midwest Region All-Tournament team member Anthony Campanella and All-American pitcher Brad Zambron.
INFIELD: The Lakers will return three of the five main starters in the infield from the 2012 season, including all-region performers Kevin Zak (SO) and Giancarlo Brugnoni (JR). Stephen Claypool (SR) will also return, while the Lakers will look to replace a pair of senior catchers who were behind the plate during last year. Zak finished the season with a .377 batting average, 72 hits, 47 RBI, 96 total bases, a .427 on-base percentage and a .503 slugging percentage. Brugnoni was a First Team All-Midwest region performer by ABCA and Daktronics after hitting .339 with three triples, 15 homers, 48 RBI, 116 total bases, a .441 on-base percentage and a team-leading .655 slugging percentage.
OUTFIELD: GVSU will look to replace All-American and GLIAC Co-Player of the Year Steve Anderson. The Lakers will, however, return GLIAC and NCBWA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year Mike Nadratowski (SO), who led GVSU in batting average (.414), runs (51), hits (79) and stolen bases (21) and was second on the team in on-base percentage (.496) as the lead-off hitter. GVSU also returns Chris Rudenga (SR), a three-year starter who hit .304 last season with 22 RBI, a .361 on-base percentage and was a perfect 8-for-8 on stolen base attempts.
PITCHING: The starting rotation for the Lakers will have to be re-done in 2013, as the team loses three of its top four starters. Anthony Campanella (SR) does return after going 8-2 with a 3.08 ERA and two complete games in 2012. Also returning for the Lakers will be All-American Brad Zambron, who set a new single-season GVSU and GLIAC record with 16 saves, giving him 25 career saves, one shy of the GVSU and GLIAC career records and six shy of the NCAA Division II career record.
COACHING: Jamie Detillion takes over the GVSU baseball program in 2013 for his first year as the head coach. Detillion previously was an assistant coach for the Lakers over the last 10 years, helping lead GVSU to a 426-148-2 (.741) record with 10 NCAA Division II tournament appearances, five NCAA Midwest regional titles, five NCAA Division II World Series appearances and nine GLIAC titles.
Wayne State Warriors
Head Coach: Ryan Kelley
5th Season
2013 Preseason Pick: 2nd
2012 Record: (34-21, 21-13 GLIAC)
OVERVIEW: After a second-place finish in the GLIAC last season, coach Ryan Kelley and the Wayne State University baseball team have their sights set on the league crown for 2013. With the return of 18 letterwinners to go along with an exciting recruiting class it's easy to see why expectations are so high.
INFIELD: Kyle Zimmerman will spend the majority of his time at first base where he started 45 games last year in adition to being a member of the rotation. Third base is still a wide open competition with freshman Daniel Peake and Warrior quarterback Mickey Mohner as the current front runners for that final spot on the infield. Second base looks to be a competition between redshirt junior AJ Matos, redshirt freshman Justin Sherman and freshman Jeremy Carrell.
OUTFIELD: The outfield will be filled out daily with varying and talented depth led by Kasey Koster. The redshirt senior finished tied for third in the GLIAC in home runs (6), fifth in slugging (.519), tied-for-eighth in doubles (10) and ninth in runs batted in (33). Redshirt junior Chris Gebara was a 38-game starter in right field and hit .328 with 28 RBI in 2012. The Warriors also welcome a youthful influx of outfield talent that will compete for innings for the Green and Gold including freshmen Griffin Harms and Hank Van Ooyen.
PITCHING: Senior pitchers and co-captains RHP Ethan Vasiliaskas and LHP Alex Pierse will headline that staff in 2013. The duo combined for 13 starts in 2012 and compiled a 13-4 overall record. Lefthander Greg Spiess and newcomer righty David Frederick will fill out the middle of the rotation with lefty Kyle Zimmerman making the trot from first base to round out the staff. Other pitchers looking to make solid contributions include veteran upperclassmen Jeff Sorenson, Kirk Stambaugh, Brock Bates, Christian Bilkovic and Keaton LeBlanc.
COACHING: The 2012 campaign marked the third year in a row the Warriors advanced to the NCAA post season and that honor has grown to be an expectation over coach Kelley's five years at the helm. (126-88 overall)
Ashland Eagles
Head Coach: John Schaly
16th Season
2013 Preseason Pick: 3rd
2012 Record: (27-25, 19-17 GLIAC)
OVERVIEW: The Eagles return the top two pitchers from last season's team. AU was 27-25 last year, 19-17 in GLIAC action. As was the case last season, the expectation is that the pitching staff will be talented and deep and AU expects to be sound defensively. A group of newcomers will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact and try and address that need.
INFIELD: Junior Wade Kaido (Zanesville, Ohio) earned All-GLIAC honorable mention laurels a year ago when he hit a team-high .348 with a homer and 22 RBI. He'll settle in at third base this season. At shortstop, the Eagles will rely on sophomore Austin Walts (Amherst, Ohio/Amherst Steele). Senior Matt Gundlach (Monroeville, Ohio/Sandusky Perkins) began last season as the starting shortstop but was limited to 11 games due to injury. He moves to second base this season. Gundlach, combined with Walts, should give the Eagles their best combination up the middle in a number of years. S At first base, junior Tyler Gray (Plain City, Ohio/Jonathan Alder) is the projected starter. Gray hit .282 with a team-high 32 RBI last season.
OUTFIELD: AU fans are going to have to learn some new names here. The one known quantity is senior Austin Erb (Mechancisville, Va./Hanover). Erb, who played in the infield last season and hit .331 with two homers and 31 RBI, is penciled in as the starting left fielder. Three newcomers – junior Alex Sortwell (San Mateo, Calif./Canada College), junior Shane Wagner (Volant, Pa./Mercyhurst Northeast) and freshman Nick Edwards (Mason, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller) – are expected to gain playing time, too. How they will be aligned has yet to be determined.
PITCHING: Senior righty Zach Botjer (Deshler,Ohio/Sinclair C.C.) was a first team all-conference selection last season. He was 8-5 with a 2.48 ERA and three saves. Opposing batters managed a .225 batting average against him. Botjer was a workhorse last season – he started 10 times, had six complete games and pitched in 20 games. Another veteran AU can count on is senior right-hander Brad Thomas (Orrville, Ohio). He was 7-4 last season with a 2.17 ERA. The pitching staff gets a boost from the return of right-hander Eric Vaughan (Delta, Ohio/Owens C.C.), who missed all of last season due to injury. Vaughan was 5-3 in 2011.
COACHING: Schaly is 574-276-1 at Ashland. This will be his 16th year at the helm. Under Schaly, AU has reached the postseason 11 times and advanced to the World Series four times. In 25 years as a collegiate head coach, Schaly is 937-494-1.
Saginaw Valley State Cardinals
Head Coach: Walt Head
31st Season
2013 Preaseason Pick: 4th
2012 Record: (26-26, 20-16 GLIAC)
OVERVIEW: The 2013 SVSU Baseball squad will look to improve on the 26-26 mark from last season as they welcome a talented group of freshman to complement their experienced seniors. The Cardinals led the GLIAC in fielding percentage last season and the SVSU defensive unit welcomes back some reliable players in the field and on the mound, while some younger bats give the Cardinal offense the chance to improve on last year's performance.
INFIELD: The SVSU middle infielders features a group of underclassmen who play sound defense and are able to turn double plays in their sleep. Shortstop Chris Perkovich is one of the best and most reliable shortstops in the league and is joined by highly-skilled freshmen Dylin Eschenburg and Jason Hanson at second base. Senior Andy Orr returns to the hot corner after batting .343 last season and looks to be a leader for the Cardinals both in the field and at the plate.
OUTFIELD: Senior Kyle O'Boyle returns from an injury-plagued 2012 to give the Cardinals a veteran offensive threat with his power and experience. Brad Schalk will be roaming around as the hard-working center fielder looks to repeat and even improve on a fine freshman season where he was reliable in 27 starts late in the year. There will be intense competition all year long for playing time in left field between a scrappy junior in Michael Craig and a talented group of freshman.
PITCHING: Senior Carson Beauchaine is having a great preseason and is throwing hard as SVSU will look for him to set the tone as their ace in the rotation. Starter Eric Hummel and reliever Mike Schaaf will bring more senior experience on the mound. The 2012 Cardinal pitching staff boasted one of the top rotations in the league as they were led by Mike Saunders who was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 24th Round of last year's Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
COACHING: Walt Head (844-606-6) is back for his 31st season as the skipper of the Cardinals and looks forward to making a run at another GLIAC title. Fourthyear assistant coach Kevin Schwedler returns along with newcomers Karl Kling and Mike Baker
Lake Erie Storm
Head Coach: Brian McGee
6th Season
2013 Preseason Pick: 5th
2012 Record: (27-26, 22-14 GLIAC)
OVERVIEW: Lake Erie College returns 17 letter-winners from last year's team that won a school-record 27 games and reached the GLIAC Tournament for the first time. Among the returners are five all-conference performers – DH Patrick Kilway, 3B Cody Blood and pitchers Brian Kilway, Adam Beach and Doug Fox. In 2013 the Storm is expected to feature one of the deepest pitching staffs in the league.
INFIELD: The area hit hardest by player loss was the infield, which must replace three starters. However, the one holdover is Cody Blood, a four-year starter at the hot corner with a career .298 average who hit .308 as a junior with 25 runs batted in. Sophomore Sean Mathews hit .347 in 17 games as a freshman and figures to share the left side of the infield with Blood. Sophomore newcomer Josh Hudeck is the early front-runner to start at second base while first base is up for grabs in preseason camp. Another first-year player, Rutger Luebke, looks to take over behind the plate with returners Dylan Yankle and Shaun Gaydos competing for time as well.
OUTFIELD: Sophomore Aaron Lindgren had a breakout campaign as a freshman, hitting .336 with four home runs and 37 RBI, and will likely find himself in the heart of the Storm's batting order and in the starting spot in left field. Senior co-captain Zach Mosbarger is expected to start in the other corner outfield spot and flank junior Garrett Emling in center. Sophomore Jake Ripma and redshirt freshman Tyler Lindgren should also see time in the outfield.
PITCHING: Bolstered by three returning all-conference hurlers, Lake Erie brings back its entire starting rotation from a year ago and should get a boost from the return injury of junior Brad Raley. Headlining the list are junior Brian Kilway and senior Adam Beach. Kilway was dominant last year, posting a 6-1 record and 1.44 ERA. He tossed four complete games and didn't lose a decision after the first weekend of the season. Beach also had a stellar season, going 6-3 with a 3.27 ERA along with a school-record 61 strikeouts. He has 170 K's in 186 2/3 career innings and has two GLIAC Pitcher of the Week honors in his career. Raley (1-1) made five appearances in his first year as a starter in 2012 before shutting it down for the rest of the year, but was impressive in fall ball and will fill the back of the rotation.
COACHING: Brian McGee is in his sixth season as the head coach at Lake Erie. He has led the team to back-to-back 20-win seasons, the first such years in school history, and has an overall record of 99-143 (.409).
Ohio Dominican Panthers
Head Coach: Paul Page
26th Season
2013 Preseason Pick: 6th
2012 Record: (24-24, 16-18 GLIAC)
OVERVIEW: ODU returns 24 letterwinners, including 11 members of its pitching staff, from last year's team that finished 24-24, 16-18 in the GLIAC. ODU returns all but one starter in the rotation, while offensively, the Panthers look to improve on an offense that ranked third in the GLIAC in batting average but just seventh in total runs scored.
INFIELD: ODU's infield will be led by sophomore second baseman Vince Bartolone, who missed most of last season with an injury but sparkled early with a .333 batting average. Ohio State transfer Phil Jaskot, a sophomore, will start at third base, while senior Chase Westphal and freshman Jacob Horsley will see time at shortstop. Junior Anthony Raschilla batted .314 playing first base last season and will be pushed by freshman Collin Parcher and sophomore Austin Butler.
OUTFIELD: Senior Ryan Rovnak has moved from third base to left field and brings athleticism to that position. Jossue Delgado, a junior college All-American last year, will play center and is a five-tool player for the Panthers. Junior Bryan Rudolph, who hit .304 with four homers and 25 RBI, is slated to play right field, with sophomores Marcus Schluessler and Matt Jurevicius also in the mix for playing time. Junior Christian Prince, who led ODU with a .362 average in 2012, will see time in the outfield, first base and DH.
PITCHING: Senior Nick Venditti was ODU's top pitcher last year and ranked among the league leaders in innings, starts and strikeouts. He'll be joined by classmate Alex Borgan, who missed most of last season with injury, at the top of the rotation, along with junior Sean Blackburn (4-5 in 2012) and sophomores Alberto Canales (6-1), Cole Carpenter (two complete games) and Dan Mooney. Bartolone did not allow an earned run in seven relief appearances last spring, while sophomores Tucker Hughes, Austin Monnin and Sam Bohon and freshman Ryan Colegate can earn innings as well.
COACHING: Paul Page enters his 26th year leading the Panthers. He has a 907-452-6 record and guided ODU to six NAIA World Series appearances. Page is the winningest coach in school history and was ranked amongst the winningest NAIA coaches before ODU transitioned into the NCAA.
Tiffin Dragons
Head Coach: Joe Wilkins
1st Season
2013 Preseason Pick: 7th
2012 Record: (25-26, 20-16 GLIAC)
OVERVIEW: Things were not looking so good for Tiffin as they were 6-14 in the GLIAC, ninth place with just three weeks left in the season. To say the Dragons turned up the heat would be an understatement. TU won 14 of its last 16 games and moved from seventh to fourth in the final two days of the season. Overall, Tiffin finished 20-16 in the GLIAC (4th) and was 25-26 overall. The blazing finish put the Dragons in the GLIAC Tournament for the first time in school history.
INFIELD: Seniors Tyler Glass and Jordan Stum are the top returners. Glass scored 19 runs, batted .315 and was third on the team turning 13 double plays. Stum scored 12 runs and hit .297. Senior Roger Christensen led the team turning 18 double plays and scored 17 runs. Sophomore Nick Calandra and senior Tayler Glass saw a fair amount of playing time in 2012. Freshman Elijah Sanabria helped the High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology (N.Y.) reach the PSAL final four for the first time ever. Senior KC Weber, who earned All-GLIAC honors in 2012, is back behind the plate for the Dragons. Weber started 43 games, scoring 20 runs, throwing out 12 runners while hitting .299.
OUTFIELD: Senior Ryan Williams returns after earning All-GLIAC second team honors. He had two triples, scored 18 runs, drove in 18 runs and batted .314. Among the returners, seniors Ryan Locke and Colin Sallee should see action for the Dragons. Freshmen Garrett Vernau and Cole McCurry are expected to challenge for playing time. Vernau was a two-time all-district selection who helped Newark Catholic High School (Ohio) reach the final four of the state championship twice. McCurry earned all-district and All-Ohio Capital Conference first team honors as Olentangy Orange High School (Ohio) went 27-4 and advanced to the regional championship.
PITCHING: On the mound, TU has seven players back who threw at least nine games last season. Senior Eric Klepper was second on the squad with three complete games and 41 strikeouts. Sophomore Greg Sombati has a solid rookie campaign going 3-0 and recording three saves.
COACHING: Head Coach – Joe Wilkins, (0-0), first year as head coach, fifth at TU, Assistant Coach – Kurt Rammel, 7th year, Assistant Coach – Brian Coleman, 8th year, Assistant Coach – Brian Makowski, 1st year, Graduate Assistant – Corey Alexander, 1st year.
Northwood Timberwolves
Head Coach: Joe DiBenedetto
14th Season
2013 Preseason Pick: 8th
2012 Record: (19-30, 8-28 GLIAC)
OVERVIEW: Coming off a disappointing 2012 season, the Northwood University baseball team is looking for improvement in the upcoming 2013 campaign. The Timberwolves will rely on largely a new look for the 2013 season.
INFIELD: The infield will feature a new look, as the Timberwolves will have to replace Ryan Palmer (1B/C), Jake Labrecque (2B) and Andy Bouchard (3B). Wayne Moak and Zac Zoellner each earned numerous starts at first base a year ago and should see plenty of time there this season. Five different Timberwolves played at least four games at second base, with Tyler Beatty, Cody Rogers and Eric Altman all returning. Altman also spent time at third base, where last year's shortstop, Jason Fracassa, is moving to as well. Shortstop will be up for grabs with a group of newcomers, while the duo of Zyke Bailey and Anthony Dipaolo will lead the way at catcher.
OUTFIELD: Northwood lost two starters in outfield – Second Team All-GLIAC honoree Austin Rinard and Cory Colucci. The Timberwolves do return starting centerfielder and leadoff hitter Jake Oard, who hit .301 a year ago while leading the team in on-base percentage at .427. A large group of both returning players and newcomers will compete to take over the other outfield positions.
PITCHING: The Timberwolves rotation did lose Mark Heard, who was a four-year starter for Northwood. But NU returns every other pitcher who appeared in at least eight games last season. Sophomore Luke Bivens posted a 3.41 ERA in his first year of college ball and appears ready for better things this season. Jake Winicki started 10 games a year ago and had a 3.81 ERA, while Jordan Snider has been in the rotation for the last three seasons. Sophomore Cody Fenskie led the team with 19 appearances out of the bullpen last season and has been impressive in camp, which has earned him a spot in the rotation. Jordan Schwellenbach, Sean Cunningham and Alex Maodus are all back as well from the bullpen a year ago. NU also has a talented group of newcomers who will fill various roles in both the rotation and the bullpen.
COACHING: Northwood head coach Joe DiBenedetto is in his 14th season at Northwood. He enters this year with a 267-376 record at NU and a 580-593 overall mark in his career.
Malone Pioneers
Head Coach: Tom Cranks
9th Season
2013 Preseason Pick: 9th
2012 Record: (32-24, N/A GLIAC)
OVERVIEW: The Malone University baseball team will begin a new era this spring as the squad enters its first season of GLIAC competition. As the program looks to sustain this winning tradition, Malone will not only be challenged by tough GLIAC competition, but it will also need to fill the void left by the departure of a large senior class that included five starting position players.
INFIELD: The corner infield spots will also feature experience with the return of senior third baseman Bob Suitca and junior Logan Gray, who will move to first base this year after starting 50 games at second base last spring. In 2012, Suitca batted .348 with 14 doubles, five homers and team-high 42 RBI's. Gray also supplied the Pioneer lineup with plenty of offensive punch, compiling a .352 batting average with 18 doubles, two homers and 31 runs batted in. The middle-infield spots will likely be manned by a pair of true freshmen - Bryce Miller at second and Jon Crank at shortstop. Red-shirt freshman Matt Davis and West Liberty University transfer Hayden Mobley will be in the mix to take over the catching duties.
OUTFIELD: Junior Michael Chack and sophomore Frank Dufour will likely see plenty of time in the outfield. Last year, Chack notched a .269 average with 18 RBI's in 41 games while Dufour recorded a .322 average with 15 RBI's in just 87 at-bats. Red-shirt freshman Austin Pachan and true freshmen Chad Neff, Keanan Locke and Daulton Ritter, will also compete for outfield playing time.
PITCHING: With new faces likely to be found up and down the batting order, Crank will turn to his pitching staff to provide veteran leadership. Back to lead the way on the mound is senior starting pitcher Jared Messer. The right-hander, drafted in the 38th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Washington Nationals, returns to Malone this season following an outstanding junior campaign in which he compiled a 9-4 record with three shutouts, a 1.50 earned run average and 78 strikeouts. Others pitchers who will likely be relied upon to make an impact include senior starting pitcher Alex Haines, senior reliever Jesse Coblentz, junior starter Jack McDonald, sophomores hurlers Matt Litty and Tyler Whitlach and transfers Taylore Baker (Northern Kentucky Univ.) and David Wright (Kent State Univ.).
COACHING: Over the last nine years under the direction of head coach Tom Crank, the Pioneers have compiled seven winning seasons and an overall record of 301-191-1.
Hillsdale Chargers
Head Coach: Paul Noce
20th Season
2013 Preseason Pick: 10th
2012 Record: (14-35, 12-24 GLIAC)
OVERVIEW: The Hillsdale College baseball team enters the 2013 season with an exciting mix of seasoned veterans and newcomers expected to make an immediate impact. The Chargers finished 2012 with an overall record of 14-35 and 12-24 in the GLIAC.
INFIELD: The entire infield returns from last year, led by four-year starting third baseman Scott Lantis. A true team leader, Lantis has fortified the left side of the infield since his arrival in 2010. He'll be joined on the left side by sophomore shortstop Nolan Breymaier, who started 40 games at the position in 2012. Over the course of the second half of last season, Nolan Nunez emerged as the team's best hitter, batting well over .400 from April 15 on. He enters this season with a level of confidence and experience he hasn't had in his first two seasons. Infielder Vinny Delicata enters the spring as one of the team's best overall defensive players, and has the quickness and athleticism that the team covets. Behind the dish, Brad Hayden and Sean Bennett were an effective combo a year ago and both return to the lineup.
OUTFIELD: The departure of All-Region OF Mike Blanchard leaves a big hole to be filled in the outfield as well as at the top of the lineup. The 2010 GLIAC Freshman of the Year, OF Mike Vanchieri, is a proven hitter who has missed the tail end of the past two seasons with injury. He's back and healthy for his senior campaign in 2013. Another impact player, junior Adam Ladzinski, started off the 2012 season as the team's leadoff hitter, but saw his season cut down by injury. He has the speed to make a difference in the field for the Chargers. Look for freshman Luke Ortel to compete for a starting spot in the outfield as well.
PITCHING: The 2013 pitching staff figures to be made up of a wide variety of newcomers and experienced veterans this season. Senior Kris Morris set a single-season school record last year with seven saves, but moves from the bullpen to the starting rotation. Sophomore Shane Armstrong is one of the staff's hardest throwers, and gained valuable experience as a starter last season. Senior southpaw Michael Keve returns for his third season, and led the staff in innings pitched over that time frame. Freshmen Lucas Hamelink and Chris McDonald also figure to battle for starting rotation spots. A return to health for sophomore Dan Pochmara would also provide a big boost to the staff's depth, both in short and long relief.
COACHING: Paul Noce enters his 20th season as the Charger baseball coach in 2013. He the longest-tenured head coach currently at the school and joins elite company like Bill Lundberg, Frank "Muddy" Waters and Dwight Harwood as individuals who have coached at Hillsdale for 20 or more years.
Findlay Oilers
Head Coach: Troy Berry
10th Season
2013 Preseason Pick: 11th
2012 Record: (20-29, 13-23 GLIAC)
OVERVIEW: The Oilers are coming off of a 20-29 campaign and are coached by Troy Berry, who is entering his tenth year at the helm of the program. Berry has amassed a 192-251-1 record as the head coach and returns 17 players who saw action in 2012.
INFIELD: The Oilers have an experienced infield returning and return four starters to the unit. The group will be led by first baseman Tommy Roush, a senior who was named first team all-conference last year after hitting .381. Roush, a second team all-region performer as well, had 17 doubles and drove in 40 runs as a junior. Also returning will be senior Victor Migliore (3B) and junior Reid Rothenbuhler (SS). Migliore hit .324 and drove in 27 runs while Rothenbuhler hit .299 and scored 26 runs. Senior catcher Garrett Busch made 25 starts behind the plate last year and second base will be filled by Joe Sickler, a transfer from Owens Community College.
OUTFIELD: The Oilers outfield will be led by senior Blake Schmenk , who hit .320 last year with 32 runs scored. The other outfield positions are up for grabs with a number of talented younger players vying for roles.
PITCHING: The Oilers return a number of players who have experience as starters and relief pitchers. The group will be led by senior Preston Zachrich, who went 4-5 last year. Zachrich also struck out a team-high 57 batters in 59.1 innings pitched. Junior Derek Draper returns after battling injuries last season when he finished with a 3-1 record while junior Drew Hargrove is back after posting a 3-4 record in eight starts. At the backend of the bullpen, sophomore Alex Williams will once again close out games as he finished his first season in the program with eight saves. Seniors Ethan James (3-4) and Darrell Thobe (0-2) will also see action as starters and relievers.
COACHING: Troy Berry, who is entering his tenth year at the helm of the program. Berry has amassed a 192-251-1 record as the head coach and returns 17 players who saw action in 2012.
Walsh Cavaliers
Head Coach: Tim Mead
30th Season
2013 Preseason Pick: 12th
2012 Record: (28-24, N/A GLIAC)
OVERVIEW: Walsh returns 26 letter winners, and starters at six positions as they get ready for their first season of competition in the GLIAC. The Cavs finished 28-24 last season in their final year of competition in the American Mideast Conference.
INFIELD: Walsh returns starters at each corner and veterans at every position. Switch-hitting first baseman Forrest Boggs (Sr.) earned All-American Mideast Conference after hitting .365 with a team-leading 13 doubles, 5 triples, 8 homeruns and 48 RBI. Senior R. J. Vukovich makes the transition back to second base after playing the entire year at shortstop in 2012. He hit .272. Sam Fondriest (Jr.) will take over at shortstop. He is moving from second base, where he started 32 games last and hit .264. Senior Trevor Smith will play third base. The sure handed Smith hit .329 last year. Walsh should be sound defensively with this veteran infield. They also have more than adequate depth.
OUTFIELD: The Cavs return starters at all three positions. Senior Tim Stinson returns in left, Justin Clements will handle center and Drew Link is in right. Stinson his .322, with 5 HR's and 39 RBI. Clements started the year on JV and ended the season playing in 35 varsity games and hitting a team-leading .422 with 9 doubles. Andrew Bonnette will challenge him in center. Drew Link (Jr.) hit .345 and led the team with 12 stolen bases. The Cavs' outfielders can hit for average and cover plenty of ground defensively. It is a very solid unit.
PITCHING: Walsh is looking to replace lefthander Travis Danner, who was a first-team All-AMC selection after finishing 8-1 with a 2.15 ERA in 12 starts in one of the finest individual seasons in team history. The Cavs will get back right-hander Jeff Kotlar, who returns after Tommy John surgery. He will be joined by Joe Tann (So., RHP), David Roper (Sr., RHP) and Zach Speer (Sr., RHP) in the rotation. Tann was impressive as a freshman going 2-2 with a 3.52 ERA. Roper won for games and Speer is making the transition from the bullpen.
COACHING: Tim Mead ('81 Walsh) 629-680-6 (29 yrs.) all at Walsh