Baseball

2011 Baseball Team
 
 
 
Head Coach: Doug Greenslate, #36 (12th year)
Baseball Coach Emeritus: Terry Bocian
Assistant Coaches: Mark Rasmussen
 
2013 Record: 25-20, 14-11 WHAC
 
Schedule & Results | Team Roster | Coach Profiles
Season Outlook | Dennis Molnar Award | Pro Signings
 
Team Statistics: Career Records
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 |
2012 | 2013
 

2013 Schedule & Results

DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME / SCORE RADIO

Sun. - Sat.,

March 3 - 9

Russ Matt Central Florida Invitational Winter Haven, Fla.  
Sun., March 3 vs. St. Francis (Ill.) (DH) Winter Haven, Fla. W 11-10, L 0-1  
Mon., March 4 vs. Trinity International (DH) Winter Haven, Fla.

W 12-4,

W 9-0 - game forfeited to AQ (orig. 5-4 TIU win)

 
Tues., March 5 vs. Trinity International Auburndale, Fla. W 7-6 (11)  
Tues., March 5 vs. Siena Heights (JV) Auburndale, Fla. W 16-1 (5)  
Wed., March 6 vs. Hannibal LaGrange (JV) Winter Haven, Fla. W 14-7  
Thurs., March 7 vs. Bethel (Tenn.) Daytona, Fla. W 8-0  
Thurs., March 7 vs. Embry Riddle Daytona, Fla. L 1-5  
Fri., March 8 vs. Mt. Vernon Nazarene Lakeland, Fla. L 1-10  
Fri., March 8 vs. Trinity Christian Auburndale, Fla. W 9-5  
Sat., March 9 vs. Purdue North Central (DH) Winter Haven, Fla. W 3-1, L 3-6  
Wed., March 13 @ Huntington (DH) Huntington, Ind. Canceled  
Sat., March 16 vs. Madonna (DH) * Kimble Stadium Postponed  
Sun., March 17 vs. Madonna (DH) * Kimble Stadium Postponed  
Tues., March 19 vs. Grand Rapids Community College Kimble Stadium Canceled  
Wed., March 20 vs. Calumet St. Joseph (DH) Kimble Stadium Postponed  
Thurs., March 21 vs. Muskegon Community College Kimble Stadium Canceled  
Sat., March 23 @ Lourdes (DH)* Sylvania, Ohio

W 10-1, W 5-4

 
Sun., March 24 @ Lourdes (DH)* Sylvania, Ohio

W 13-2

 
Wed, March 27 @ Davenport (DH)* Grand Rapids, Mich.

W 6-1, L 4-10

 
Fri., March 29 @ Concordia (DH) * Ann Arbor, Mich. W 6-4, W 4-2  
Sat., March 30 @ Concordia (DH) * Ann Arbor, Mich. W 8-1, W 9-7  
Mon., April 1 vs. Madonna (DH)* Kimble Stadium Postponed  
Tues., April 2 vs. Calvin Kimble Stadium Postponed  
Wed., April 3 vs. Cornerstone (DH)* Kimble Stadium L 5-7 (10), W 5-2  
Thurs. April 4 vs. Davenport JV Kimble Stadium W 11-5  
Sat., April 6 @ Rochester (DH) Rochester, Mich. W 10-8, W 11-0  
Sun., April 7 @ Grand Rapids Community College (DH) Grand Rapids, Mich. W 2-1, W 11-10  
Tues., April 9 vs. Purdue North Central (DH) Kimble Stadium Postponed  
Tues., April 9 vs. Davenport (DH)* Kimble Stadium Canceled  
Wed., April 10 vs. Madonna (DH)* Kimble Stadium Postponed  
Sat., April 13 @ Northwestern Ohio (DH) * Lima, Ohio L 4-10, L 5-17
Sun., April 14 @ Northwestern Ohio (DH) * Lima, Ohio L 4-8, W 9-2  
Tues., April 16 vs. Hope (DH) 5th/3rd Ballpark L 2-4, L 3-6 Listen on the Radio Michigan Sports Radio App
Wed., April 17 @ Olivet (1, 9 inning & 1, 7 inning JV) Olivet, Mich. L 6-9 (6)  
Thurs., April 18 vs. Grand Rapids Community College Kimble Stadium Canceled  
Sat., April 20 vs. Indiana Tech (DH) * Kimble Stadium Canceled  
Sun., April 21

vs. Indiana Tech (DH)*

@ Cornerstone

Grand Rapids, Mich. L 2-5, L 3-4  
Tues., April 23 vs. Calumet St. Joseph (DH) Kimble Stadium Canceled  
Wed., April 24 @ Cornerstone (DH)* Grand Rapids, Mich. L 1-8, W 13-1  
Fri., April 26 vs. Madonna (DH)* Kimble Stadium L 2-9, L 0-6  
Sat., April 27 vs. Siena Heights (DH) * Kimble Stadium W 6-4 (10), L 2-4  
Sun., April 28 vs. Siena Heights (DH)* Kimble Stadium W 4-2, W 8-7 Listen on the Radio Michigan Sports Radio App
Wed., May 1

WHAC Tournament

vs. Northwestern Ohio
Grand Rapids, Mich. W 4-1  
Wed., May 1

WHAC Tournament

vs. Madonna

Grand Rapids, Mich.

L 4-5 (11)

 
Thurs., May 2

WHAC Tournament

vs. Davenport

Grand Rapids, Mich.

W 5-2

 
Thurs., May 2 WHAC Tournament Grand Rapids, Mich. L 5-13  
*Denotes WHAC game
All game times EST
Schedule subject to change
 

Roster

No. Photos Name Pos CL B/T Hometown/High School (College)
2 Brad Slis Brad Slis INF So. R/R Marysville, Mich./Marysville
3 Josh Ledford Josh Ledford RHP So.* R/R Buckley, Mich./Lansing Community College
4 Colin Brand Colin Brand INF Fr.* R/R Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern
5 Scott Witkop Scott Witkop C/INF Sr. R/R Traverse City, Mich./Traverse City West
6 Nick Kissane Nick Kissane INF/RHP Sr. R/R Grand Ledge, Mich./Lansing Community College
7 Austin King Austin King INF Sr. R/R Grand Rapids, Mich./ Forest Hills Eastern
8 Taylor Pawlanta Taylor Pawlanta INF Jr. R/R Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Eastern
9 Seth Holton Seth Holton INF/DH Jr. L/R Grand Rapids, Mich./Davenport
10 Brendan Penny Brendan Penny LHP/OF So. L/L Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central
11 Kyle Kranz Kyle Kranz RHP/DH Jr. R/R Mason, Mich./Mason
12 Michael Penny Michael Penny LHP/OF Sr. L/L Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central
14 Kyle Orlowski Kyle Orlowski OF Jr. L/R Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Community College
15 Steven Crawford Steven Crawford INF/OF Sr. R/R Middleville, Mich./Thornapple Kellogg
16 Kevin Schafer Kevin Schafer LHP Jr. L/L Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge
17 Tanner Lung Tanner Lung INF/OF Fr.* L/R Goodyear, Ari./Desert Edge
18 Kenneth Hartger Kenneth Hartger C/RHP Jr. R/R Grand Rapids, Mich./Comstock Park
19 Allen Manyen Allen Manyen OF/RHP Sr. R/R Mason, Mich./Muskegon Community College
20 Brent Steele Brent Steele INF/OF Sr. R/R Caledonia, Mich./Caledonia
21 Vince Misiewicz Vince Misiewicz RHP Sr. R/R Anchor Bay, Mich./ Anchor Bay
22 Tyler Cole Tyler Cole RHP Sr.* R/R Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Eastern
24 Jay Topp Jay Topp RHP/INF Fr. R/R Parchment, Mich./Parchment
25 Josh Drake Josh Drake RHP/1B Sr. R/R Lowell, Mich./ Lowell
26 Christian Potter Christian Potter RHP/1B So*. R/R Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian
27 Greg Baranyai Greg Baranyai INF Jr. R/R Hillman, Mich./Alpena
28 Elliot Drain Elliot Drain OF So. R/R Lowell, Mich./Lowell
29 Jimmy McDonagh Jimmy McDonagh INF Jr. R/R Battle Creek, Mich./Battle Creek Lakeview
30 Aaron Thimm Aaron Thimm OF/LHP So.* L/L Zeeland,Mich./Zeeland West
31 Matt Krzykwa Matt Krzykwa LHP So. L/L Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central
46 Justen Caudill Justen Caudill INF/RHP Fr. L/R Monroe, Mich./Monroe
33 Kaleb Ort Kaleb Ort RHP Jr. R/R Lowell, Mich./Lowell
34 Jake Ritsema Jake Ritsema RHP Jr.* R/R Grand Rapids, Mich./Kenowa Hills
35 Jason Turner Jason Turner RHP/INF So. R/R Dowagiac, Mich./Dowagiac Union
  Casey Wila Casey Wila INF RS R/R Grand Rapids, Mich./West Catholic
  Doug Zelenka Doug Zelenka OF Fr. R/R Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven
  Paul Woloszyk Paul Woloszyk INF/OF Fr. R/R Lapeer, Mich./Lapeer East
39 Brian Loper Brian Loper RHP Sr.* R/R Petoskey, Mich./Muskegon Community College
40 Dan Michaud Dan Michaud OF/LHP Fr.* L/L Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern
42 Tyler Fults Tyler Fults LHP So.* L/L Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Rapids Community College
44 Bryan Mitzner Bryan Mitzner LHP So.* L/L Shelby Township, Mich./Warren DeLaSalle
45 Mike DeClarke Mike DeClarke RHP/C Fr. L/R Lansing, Mich./Lansing Catholic Central
  Camiron Galan Camiron Galan INF RS R/R Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central
  Tyler Golembiewski Tyler Golembiewski C RS R/R Phoenix, Arizona/Seton Catholic
* Denotes red-shirted one year (RS)
 

Coaches

Doug Greenslate DOUG GREENSLATE Head Coach -- Doug Greenslate begins his 12th year as the head coach of the Saints with an overall record of 312-247-3. Greenslate's teams have averaged nearly 25 wins per year during his tenure as head coach. Doug guided the Saints to their first NAIA regional and Heartland Super Regional championships in 2005 earning the College's first appearance in the NAIA World Series. Greenslate prepped at Anchor bay High School in New Baltimore, Michigan, earning first team All-State honors in baseball. He played one year each at Mott Community College and Macomb Community College before transferring to Aquinas College in the fall of 1980. He has been a Saint ever since. Greenslate had a stellar pitching career both in college and in the semi-pro ranks. He was a member of the 1982 NAIA State championship team and a two time NBC national champion team member of the Grand Rapids Sullivans. Greenslate gained experience as a head coach managing several summer teams to City League titles. His summer teams advanced annually to the AABC Stan Musial Tournament in Battle Creek. He also assisted legendary NAIA Hall of Fame coach Terry Bocian for 16 prosperous years at Aquinas before taking over the helm nine years ago. Under the direction of Greenslate, Aquinas pitching staffs have annually been ranked as some of the top staffs in NAIA baseball. Doug holds both bachelors and masters degrees from Aquinas College. He and his wife, Ann, are proud parents of two sons, John and Joe. Doug is also the Director of Physical Services with the Physical Plant department of the College.
 
Coach Bocian TERRY BOCIAN Baseball Coach Emeritus -- Coach Bocian was the head baseball coach at Aquinas College for 30 years. During his time he led the Saints to 1079 wins and became the first collegiate coach in Michigan history to record 1000 victories. During his tenure Aquinas had 30 consecutive winning seasons, made 30 consecutive post-season appearances, and had 27 consecutive seasons with 30 or more wins. Aquinas won seven NAIA State Championships and finished as runner-ups on ten other occasions. The Saints also won the WHAC championship six times in nine years. During his tenure 34 players were awarded All- American honors and another 17 players were given Academic All- American honors. Coach Bo was named Michigan NAIA coach of the year ten times and Region coach of the year four times. He has also served as Aquinas Athletic Director since 1978, expanding the athletic program from eight sports to its current level of 24 sports. He was named NAIA region AD of the year on three occasions and has served as region chairman for eight years.
 
Coach Bo was inducted in the Grand Rapids Catholic Central Hall of Fame in 1989, the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also given the GR March of Dimes Warren Reynolds Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. He also was named Grand Rapids Catholic Central Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 2002.
 
Mark Rasmussen MARK RASMUSSEN Assistant Coach -- Mark begins his fourth season with the Saints program and brings 16 years of coaching varsity baseball to the Aquinas program. He spent one year as an assistant coach at Ottawa Hills, and six years as the head varsity coach. During his time at Ottawa Hills, the Indians won three league titles, two district championships and one regional championship. He has spent the last nine years coaching at Grand Rapids Catholic Central where he compiled a record of 220-75. The cougars won six league titles and three district titles. In 2003, the cougars were runner-up in the state championship, finishing with a record of 35-5. During his tenure, his teams had 8 straight 20-win seasons. Rasmussen is a 1981 Greenville High School graduate earning his Bachelors degree from Central Michigan in 1986. He continued his education at Grand Valley State University where he achieved his Masters.
 
 

Season Outlook

The 2013 version of the Aquinas baseball team hopes to rebound from “last day of the season” disappointments of the past two years.   Aquinas’ post season hopes were dashed on the last day of the 2011 season (1 game play-off) and the last doubleheader of the 2012 season (needing a sweep but settling for a split of that twinbill).

 

This year’s squad boasts eleven experienced seniors who bring leadership and purpose to the challenges of the 2013 season. Heading the list is Nick Kissane (3B-C), and outstanding talents Michael Penny (CF), and Austin King (SS/3B) both of whom are four year starters.  Other veteran position players are Allen Manyen, a hard hitting outfielder, catcher Scott Witkop (a part time four year starter), versatile Brent Steele, and hard working infielder Steve Crawford.

 

The pitching staff lists four senior hurlers in Vince Misiewicz (All WHAC performer in 2011), Josh Drake (who will also double as a designated hitter), and Tyler Cole and Brian Loper, both of who were idled in 2012 because of injuries.

 

Depth is a strength of this year’s squad as the junior class offers many players with game experience and skill.  Junior position players are Greg Baranyai (1B), KJ Hartger (catcher), Taylor Pawlanta (infielder/outfielder), Jimmy McDonough (infielder/catcher) and Ricky Lowe (outfielder/pitcher).  Junior pitchers are Kaleb Ort (last season’s #1 starter), Jake Ritsema, Kevin Schafer, and Kyle Kranz.  Transfers Kyle Orlowski (GR Community College) and Seth Holton (Davenport) bring solid left handed bats  into the mix.

 

Sophomores who will battle for playing time are talented outfielder Elliot Drain, athletic transfer Josh Ledford (Lansing Community College), and infielder Brad Slis.

.

Pitchers from the sophomore class are last year’s stopper, Brendan Penny, Matt Krzykwa, Christian Potter, Aaron Thimm, Jason Turner,Bryan Mitzner and transfer Tyler Fults (GR Community College).   All are lefthanders with the exception of Potter and Turner.

 

The “newcomer” group of freshmen and redshirts showed a lot of potential in the fall workouts.  They are headed by infielders Colin Brand, Eric Eiseler,  Tanner Lung and Casey Wila.  Hard hitting catcher Justin Caudill, pitcher/catcher Mike DeClarke and outfielder Doug Zelenka all had solid fall seasons as well.  Other freshmen are outfielder Dan Michaud, infielder Paul Woloszyk, as well as pitchers Jack Ropp and Jay Topp.  They all possess the potential to contribute at the college level.   

 

2013 should be a year when the Saints battle with every league opponent for the opportunity to represent the WHAC in the National Tournament.   The pieces are in place and the depth of talent, both in the field and on the mound, make Aquinas a squad to be reckoned with.

 

The schedule is typically Aquinas ----- “difficult” and boasts an eleven game spring trip to Winter Haven, Florida as well as back to back doubleheaders with each league opponent.  Traditional non-league games with Calvin, Olivet, Purdue North Central, Calumet St. Joseph’s, Rochester College, Huntington College, and Hope College (played at 5th/3rd park/ Home of the Whitecaps) dot the schedule as well.

 

The Saints will also have numerous junior varsity games scheduled with community colleges and squads from other four year schools to allow their young players to develop.

 

Dennis Molnar Award

Aquinas initiated the Dennis Molnar Award after the star first-baseman was killed in a car accident in Grand Rapids in November 1973. Molnar, a native of Toledo, Ohio, and graduate of Cardinal Stritch High School, player both baseball and basketball during his two years at Aquinas and was an outstanding hitter. Dennis led the team in home runs in 1973; some of his hitting records still stand. Molnar was also a fine student, a hardworking individual, and one of the most popular students on the Aquinas campus. The Molnar Award is awarded annually to the team's most valuable players after a vote by the team.
1974 Greg Antor 1975 Tim Matchinsky
1976 Tim Matchinsky 1976 Steve Lewis
1977 Tim Matchinsky 1977 Bob Jones
1977 Dennis King 1978 Kevin Chaney
1978 Dennis King 1979 Rick Heuvelman
1979 Mark Fredrickson 1980 Dave Gumpert
1980 Mark Hendrickson 1981 Don Kinney
1981 Mark Hendrickson 1982 Don Kinney
1982 Matt Niewiadomski 1983 Kevin Vizard
1984 Mike Heffron 1984 Tom Enslen
1985 Kim VonKronenberger 1985 Orlando Villareal
1986 Kevin Kendrick 1986 Clint Scollard
1987 Augie Tiseo 1987 Tim Komorous
1988 Jim Johnson 1988 Andy Postema
1989 Dan Zang 1989 Jim Johnson
1990 Paul Bastien 1990 Rod Rojas
1990 Matt Jones 1991 Tim Sullivan
1991 Jeff Readwin 1992 Jay Martin
1992 Joe Stacey 1993 Tom Vos
1993 Kurt Huizenga 1994 Kurt Huizenga
1994 Randy Shagena 1995 Nick Ursul
1995 Troy Wilcox 1996 Chris Waligora
1996 Chad Addicott 1997 Chad Addicott
1998 Jason Bialochowski 1998 Brian O'Toole
1998 Shawn Veenstra 1999 Travis Harden
1999 Shawn Veenstra 1999 Doug Austin
2000 Shawn Veenstra 2000 Brock Place
2000 John Pike 2001 Sean Ford
2001 Doug Austin 2001 Chris Laska
2002 Jason Ladd 2002 Greg Skiba
2002 Brandon Bailey 2003 Kyle Kracht
2003 John MacLeod 2004 Matt Bocian
2004 Tim Muma 2005 Kyle Finch
2005 Matt Soergel 2006 Tim Muma
2006 Matt Soergel 2006 Matt Spitzley
2007 Matt Soergel 2007 Lee Moser
2008 Bud Giddings 2008 Drew Oosterhouse
2009 Corey Gross 2009 Jon Morse
2009 Marc Sobota 2010 Joe Welton
2010 Jon Good 2010 Kennen Less
2011 Austin King 2011 Vince Misiewicz
2011 Kennen Less 2012 Ryan Grigonis
2012 Michael Penny 2012 Nick Kissane
 

Pro Signings

The following players have signed professional contracts and played professional and / or coached in professional baseball. Below they are listed with the team that they originally signed with:
Player Year Team
Lee Moser 2008 Sioux Falls Canaries
John MacLeod 2006 Atlantic City Surf
Aaron Reid 2002 Gary Southshore Railcats
Sean Ford 2001 Johnstown
Travis Harden 2000 New York Mets/Evansville
Sonny Thompson 1998 Boston Red Sox
Troy Wilcox 1995 Cincinnati Reds
Dave Joppie 1995 Oakland A's (Manager/Coach)
Kurt Huizenga 1994 Houston Astros
Randy Shagena 1994 Florida Marlins
Andy Postema 1987 Detroit Tigers
Paul Assenmacher 1983 Atlanta Braves
Dave Gumpert 1981 Detroit Tigers
Tom Rentschler 1981 Texas Rangers
Greg Antor 1974 Boston Red Sox
Mike Vernier 1972 Atlanta Braves