2008 Aquinas College Baseball Preview
The Saints march into the 2008 season expecting to improve upon a 27- 27 record, and third place WHAC finish of a year ago. The team is optimistic about challenging for the conference championship based on twenty-two players returning from last year’s team. The Saints return seven players to the starting lineup, and four of six starting pitchers. Eight seniors welcome twelve freshman and transfers into the program, giving the Saints an active roster of thirty-four.
This year’s squad is young and has much to prove. The pitching staff in particular, has a lot of questions to address. Look for this staff to be improved, with better quality depth in starting pitching, and a better bullpen. Several pitchers who struggled with arm injuries last year appear to be healthy, and seven new hurlers should have an immediate impact. The infield has voids to fill and questions to answer. The departures of All American Matt Soergel and Lee Moser leave openings at shortstop and first base. Freshman and transfer players have created battles for playing time at all infield positions. Returning infielders have progressed and settled into roles, eager to answer all questions with their play. The strength of this year’s team comes from the depth and play of the outfield and catching positions. Each unit returns in tact, and there is stiff competition for the top spot between several players, among this group of athletes.
The keys to a successful season will be how the pitching staff performs, and how quickly the young players make progress. The coaching staff is looking forward to see who emerges. This team has talent, and seniors who have experienced an NAIA World Series. It lacks an individual standout, a characteristic the Saints hope to capitalize on as a team.
OUTFIELD
The outfield returns still young, athletic, and more seasoned. Keep an eye on this group of seven as they continue to develop. Lone senior, Todd Peters returns as the starting left fielder. Focused and hard working, Todd’s determined to stay on top of the competition for his spot. His experience and positive approach will go far. After a successful season that had its shares of ups and downs, Chris Atkin enters his sophomore campaign better prepared and eager for the everyday responsibilities of centerfield. The team’s best athlete a year ago, Chris has the outfield’s best arm, and looks to provide the team with some punch at the top of the lineup. Talented right fielder, Brent Serba, enters his junior year with high expectations. An All Conference selection a year ago, Brent will be a target for tough pitching. His ability to get the job done will go far for measuring the team’s success. Providing depth and versatility, there are three returning outfielders and one freshman who will place pressure on the starters as they compete for a spot in the playing rotation. Sophomore Will Eberle provided a couple of memorable highlights his freshman year. He continues to work hard at improving his overall game. His left handed bat and work ethic are valuable assets. Jon Morse may have been the most pleasant surprise from last year’s ball club. Playing outfield for the first time, Morse exceeded expectations. He started twenty-three games last year and hit .307. Jon is an outstanding athlete with excellent foot speed; he’ll contribute in many ways this year. Joe Welton, a left handed hitting, strong armed left hander looks to contribute in a dual capacity this year. Joe will see more opportunities from the mound this year, while he attempts to swing his way into the lineup. Rounding out the outfield unit is freshman Kennen Less. Less comes to the program as a catcher from Rockford. His strong arm and left handed bat places him in the mix for valuable playing time this year. Kennen has a bright future ahead of him as an outfielder, and could contribute as a catcher as well. Joining this year’s team are three freshman outfielders who look to contribute in the future. Aaron Engelbert, Ryan Melnyk, and Matt Miesch have all been working at improving their game.
Catching
The Saint’s are fortunate to have two fine catchers with a mix of skills and talents. Drew Oosterhouse and Corey Gross will provide the team with more than dependable catching. Drew Oosterhouse enters the last year of his career prepared for a breakout season. He has the ability to provide the saints offense with the long ball threat in the middle of the lineup, and expects to be in the lineup every game as designated hitter when not catching. Drew possesses a major league arm behind the dish, watch him throw. Corey Gross is a junior backstop that has the desire and work ethic to catch full time. Corey has an excellent rapport with the pitching staff, and handles the game very well from behind the plate. As a sophomore he started fifteen games and hit .347. Look for Corey to continue working hard, he’ll battle Drew for top catching honors. Jake VanderKolk, a freshman from Jenison joins this year’s team. Jake is working hard at redeveloping his catching skills. He was an infielder last year at Jenison, and a player that has always been able to swing the bat. Jake will contribute this year by spending many innings in the bullpen getting pitchers prepared. Jake has a promising career ahead of him.
Pitching
The biggest question needing to be answered for the 2008 team is, will the pitching staff be improved enough to put the Saints into contention for a run at the conference championship? More importantly, who will rise to the challenge, and emerge as the staff’s ace? After an extremely disappointing 2007 season, characterized by injury and inconsistency, the pitching staff is healthy and ready to put last year behind them. This year’s staff has a good blend of experience, left and right handed pitchers, and starters and relievers. The coaching staff is eager to see who will step forward.
The senior class of pitchers has been working especially hard, in anticipation of their final season. They are led by Dave Ottenwess, with a career record of 15-6 and era of 4.45. Dave is recovering from off season surgery, an injury that sidelined him last year. He is healthy and confident, a dangerous combination with his talent. The team plays with more confidence when Otto’s on the mound. He looks forward to leading this staff and answering the questions it faces by his performance. The other senior pitchers are all lefthander’s and include Michael Giddings, Brandon Marrs, and Matt Dreyer. Giddings was the most effective Saints pitcher from last year, earning him All-WHAC recognition as a relief pitcher. “Bud” will be in the Saints starting rotation this year. Brandon Marrs and Matt Dreyer have had varying degrees of success over their careers. They look to provide depth and consistency, and big lift from the left side of the mound.
Junior right handed pitchers, Marc Sobota, Mike Keron, and transfers Earl Clover and Joey Dotson are expected to make major contributions this year. Marc Sobota has had two solid seasons in the program, and looks to establish himself as the go to guy. To accomplish this, Marc needs to be focused and consistent. He has the ability, and seems determined in his effort. Mike Keron enters his third season also aiming for consistency. Mike has shown signs of being a very effective pitcher, but injuries have sidetracked his progress. Look for Mike to provide quality innings if he stays healthy. Earl Clover transfers to the Saints program from Muskegon Community College where he was one of the country’s top relief pitchers with 13 saves a year ago. A Grand Haven native, Clover will be the saints top closer this year. His work ethic, sidearm delivery, and bulldog approach make him a welcome addition to the staff. The same could be said for Joey Dotson, a transfer from Mott Community College. Dotson was a relief pitcher most of last season, but as one of the team’s top pitchers, started for Mott in its regional tournament appearance. Dotson will lend an experienced arm to the staff, to start or relieve when called upon.
Three sophomore pitchers saw limited action from the mound their first year. Jim Peters made the most of his opportunities and gained valuable experience last year. Jim has developed his off speed pitches and will be a dependable contributor once again. Mike Kaiser will be used more as a pitcher this year. Mike was a key contributor at second base last year, but is up to the challenge and opportunity for helping the Saints from the mound. Joe Welton continues to develop as a pitcher. His strong left arm and his baseball savvy are intangibles that give the staff another dimension.
Six freshmen join the staff with the talent to contribute immediately. The most talented, Evan Singleton, returns after a medical red shirt year. Evan will be in the starting rotation, and has the ability to be one of the Saints top hurlers. His progress will be key, and of notable interest because of his talent. Kyle Hoogewind enters his second year of the program ready to contribute. This lanky right hander, a red shirt freshman, pitched in the Big League World Series last summer. He enters this year confident, determined, and anxious to help. Dan VanSingel is a red shirt freshman who could also make an impact for the staff this year. Dan will be used in relief. His side arm delivery offers a different look, and his role will be important to the team. Mark Nagy and Cory Garneau are true freshmen that will compete for solid innings this year. Mark is a strong right hander who really came on as a pitcher his senior year at Tri County High School. He had an excellent fall season and will be a solid pitcher in the program. Cory Garneau is a crafty left hander who had an excellent high school career at Portage Northern. He hopes to carry his past success onto the collegiate level. Jamie Sheppard returns as a red shirt freshman. Jamie continues to develop and make valuable contributions to the team.
Joining the program this year are three freshmen who look to help in the future. Joe Conway and Justin Dempsey are right handed hurlers, and Chad Bowhuis is a lefty. Each is working hard to improve their skills for a future opportunity.
Infield
The second biggest question facing this year’s team concerns the infield, and who will step forward at each position. Competition reigns among the infielders. At first base, Kevin Scholten enters his last year as a Saint poised for a big season. Kevin looks to settle in at the plate and provide a much needed boost to the Saints lineup. He’ll be pushed for playing time from sophomore, Joe Szombati. Joe returns from a season ending injury in Florida last year. Joe had an excellent fall season, and will impact the offense if he continues to swing the bat like he’s shown signs of in the past. The Saints appear to be in good shape at first base, but offensive production is crucial.
At second base, Aaron Gowell and Mike Kaiser once again battle for the top spot. Mike Kaiser earned All WHAC defensive honors at second base last year. He had such an outstanding start last year as a freshman, that it was hard for Gowell to get playing time. This year Mike will pitch more, opening up more playing time for Gowell. Aaron adds speed to the lineup and is very good defensively. He hopes to be the full time starting second sacker. Together, the Saints are in good hands defensively, but offensive production will be the key factor at second.
Third base will be contested by Paul Nieves, Jon Good, and Greg Wilkinson. Nieves has the most experience of this group. This junior has shown glimpses of his strong potential over the previous years, but looks for consistency in becoming a leader at third. Jon Good moves to third base his sophomore season. He has adapted to the position very well, and continues working his way to becoming a force offensively. Greg Wilkinson adds depth and continues to battle for playing time. Again, offensive production is the most critical factor in determining playing time.
There are two new faces at shortstop this year. Junior transfer, from Muskegon Community College, Dan Salvati, and freshman Drew Huard, from Grand Ledge high School will battle over this crucial position. Salvati is a switch hitter who had two productive years at MCC. Dan is a tireless worker, and looks to lead by example from his experience and passion for the game. Drew Huard enters the program from a highly successful high school program where he earned All State Division I honors his senior year. Huard showed this fall he was ready to compete at the collegiate level. Keep progress of this talented freshman, he’s sure to make his presence felt. |
