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| Schedule: |
2010
Men's Baseball Schedule
Head Coach: Doug
Greenslate #36 (9th year)
Baseball Coach Emeritus: Terry Bocian
Assistant
Coaches: Ed Herrera, Matt Bocian, Mark Rasmussen
2009 Record: 27-21 overall, 12-8 WHAC
| DAY, DATE |
OPPONENT |
SITE |
TIME/SCORE |
Sun., March 7 |
|
Sanford, Fla. |
9:30 a.m. |
Mon., March 8 |
|
Ormond Beach , Fla. |
10 a.m. |
| |
vs. Olivet (7 inning) |
Ormond Beach , Fla |
1 p.m. |
Tues., March 9 |
|
Ormond Beach, Fla. |
10 a.m. |
| |
vs. Marian (7 inning) |
Ormond Beach , Fla |
2 p.m. |
Thurs., March 11 |
|
Ormond Beach , Fla |
10 a.m. |
| |
vs. Olivet (7inning) |
Ormond Beach , Fla |
1 p.m. |
Fri., March 12 |
vs. Grand View (DH) |
Ormond Beach, Fla. |
10 a.m. |
Sat. March 13 |
|
Ormond Beach , Fla. |
10 a.m. |
Fri., March 19 |
@ Trine (1,9 inning & 1, 7 inning JV) |
Angola, Ind |
1 p.m. |
Sat., March 20 |
|
Marion, Ind |
1 p.m. |
Tues., March 23 |
|
Grand Rapids, Mich |
3 p.m. |
Wed., March 24 |
|
|
3 p.m. |
| Thur., March 25 |
|
Muskegon, Mich |
4 p.m. |
Tues., March 30 |
|
Mishawaka, Ind |
1 p.m. |
| Wed., March 31 |
|
Kimble Stadium |
2 p.m. |
Sat., April 3 |
|
Kimble Stadium |
1 p.m. |
| Mon., April 5 |
|
Ann Arbor, Mich. |
1 p.m. |
Tues., April 6 |
|
Kimble Stadium |
2 p.m. |
| Wed., April 7 |
|
Olivet, Mich |
1 p.m. |
| Thur., April 8 |
|
Kimble Stadium |
1 p.m. |
Sat., April 10 |
|
Fort Wayne, Ind |
1 p.m.
|
| Sun., April 11 |
|
Kimble Stadium |
1 p.m.
|
Tues., April 13 |
|
Holland, Mich |
2 p.m. |
| Wed., April 14 |
|
Rochester, Mich |
1 p.m. |
Sat., April 17 |
|
Adrian, Mich. |
1 p.m. |
Sun., April 19 |
|
Kimble Stadium |
1 p.m. |
| Tues., April 20 |
|
Kimble Stadium |
|
Wed., April 21 |
|
Kimble Stadium |
1 p.m. |
| Thur., April 22 |
|
Grand Rapids, Mich |
4:30 p.m. |
| Sat., April 24 |
|
Livonia, Mich. |
1 p.m.
|
| Sun., April 25 |
|
Kimble Stadium |
1 p.m. |
| Tues., April 27 |
|
Battle Creek, Mich |
5 p.m. |
Wed., April 28 |
@ Northwood University (DH) | Midland, Mich |
|
Fri., April 30 |
@ Davenport University (DH)*
|
Grand Rapids, Mich |
1 p.m. |
| Sat., May 1 |
vs. Davenport University (DH)*
|
Kimble Stadium |
1 p.m. |
Tues., May 4 |
|
Fifth Third Park |
3 p.m. |
May 10-13 |
WHAC Tournament |
TBD |
TBD |
*Denotes WHAC game
All game times EST
Schedule subject to change
|
|
| 2009 Roster: |
| No. |
Photos |
Name |
Pos |
CL |
B/T |
Hometown/High School (College) |
| 1 |
 |
Drew Huard |
INF |
3 |
R/R |
Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge |
| 4 |
 |
Cory Garneau |
LHP |
3 |
L/L |
Portage, Mich./ Portage Northern |
| 6 |
 |
Mike Kaiser |
INF/P |
4 |
R/R |
Grosse Point Woods, Mich./
Grosse Point North |
| 7 |
 |
Andrew Bard |
INF |
4 |
R/R |
Muskegon, Mich./Muskegon CC |
| 9 |
 |
Adam Farrell |
INF |
4 |
R/R |
Muskegon, Mich./Muskegon CC |
| 10 |
 |
Will Eberle |
OF |
4* |
L/R |
East Grand Rapids, Mich./
East Grand Rapids |
| 11 |
 |
Jake VanderKolk |
C/OF |
2* |
R/R |
Jenison, Mich./Jenison |
| 14 |
 |
Kennen Less |
OF/C |
3 |
L/R |
Rockford, Mich./Rockford |
| 15 |
 |
Brent Butgereit |
OF |
2 |
L/R |
Middleville, Mich./Thornapple Kellogg |
| 16 |
 |
Evan Singleton |
RHP/OF |
3* |
R/R |
Sparta, Mich./ Sparta |
| 18 |
 |
Ryan Grigonis |
INF |
2 |
R/R |
Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood |
| 19 |
 |
Jake Roe |
C |
2 |
R/R |
Jenison, Mich./ Jenison |
| 20 |
 |
Joe Welton |
OF/LHP |
4 |
L/L |
Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea |
| 23 |
 |
Jon Good |
INF |
4 |
R/R |
Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Northern |
| 25 |
 |
Jaime Sheppard |
RHP |
3* |
R/R |
Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./
Grosse Pointe North |
| 28 |
 |
Tyler Cole |
RHP |
2 |
R/R |
Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Eastern |
| 29 |
 |
Chris Allred |
RHP/INF |
2 |
R/R |
Burton, Mich./Bendle |
| 30 |
 |
Nick Papes |
INF |
3* |
R/R |
Scottville, Mich./Mason County Central |
| 31 |
 |
Jim Peters |
INF/P |
4 |
R/R |
Kalkaska, Mich./Kalkaska |
| 32 |
 |
Mark Nagy |
RHP |
3 |
R/R |
Sand Lake, Mich./Tri County |
| 33 |
 |
Bryan Carey |
RHP/C |
4 |
L/R |
Shepherd, Mich./Mott CC |
| 34 |
 |
Jason Faasse |
INF |
4 |
R/R |
Wyoming, Mich./Lee |
| 37 |
 |
Michael Craven |
C |
2 |
R/R |
Grand Rapids, Mich./GR Catholic Central |
| 38 |
 |
Joe Kligman |
OF |
2 |
L/L |
Traverse City, Mich./Traverse City West |
| 42 |
 |
Chad Bowhuis |
LHP |
2* |
R/L |
Jenison, Mich./Jenison |
| 44 |
 |
Jonathan Morse |
OF/INF |
4 |
R/R |
Sparta, Mich./Sparta |
| |
 |
Matt Stewart |
RHP |
3 |
R/R |
Traverse City/ Mott CC |
| |
 |
Luke Andrusiak |
OF |
1 |
L/L |
Middleville/ Caledonia |
| |
 |
Dylan Ball |
OF |
1 |
L/L |
Caledonia/ Caledonia |
| |
 |
Sam Connell |
RHP/INF |
1 |
R/R |
Grand Rapids/ West Catholic |
| |
 |
Steven Crawford |
INF/C |
1 |
R/R |
Middleville/ Thornapple Kellogg |
| |
 |
Josh Drake |
RHP |
1 |
R/R |
Lowell/ Lowell |
| |
 |
Kyler Kolb |
INF |
1 |
R/R |
Oxford/ Dakota |
| |
 |
Todd Lindemulder |
RHP |
1 |
R/R |
Wyoming/ Wyoming Park |
| |
 |
Michael Penny |
LHP/OF |
1 |
L/L |
Kentwood/ Catholic Central |
| |
 |
Scott Witkop |
C/INF |
1 |
R/R |
Interlochen/ Traverse City West |
| |
 |
Austin King |
INF |
1 |
R/R |
Grand Rapids/ Forest Hills Eastern |
| |
 |
Vince Misiewicz |
RHP |
1 |
R/R |
Anchor Bay/ Anchor Bay |
|
| * Denotes red-shirted one
year |
| Coaches: |
 |
DOUG
GREENSLATE Head Coach
Doug Greenslate begins
his 8th year as the head coach of the Saints with an overall
record of 210-157. Aquinas finished 20-29 overall in Greenslate's
7th campaign finishing fourth in the WHAC and missing the playoffs for the first time in his tenure. He 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 and Macomb Community Colleges , before transferring
to Aquinas College in the fall of 1980. He's 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 Aquinas College 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
seven 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 master's
degrees from Aquinas College . He and his wife, Ann, are proud
parents of Jack and Joe. Doug is also the Director of Physical
Services with the Physical Plant department of the college. |
| |
|
 |
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 7 NAIA State Championships and finished as runner-ups on 10 other occasions. The Saints also won the WHAC championship 6 times in 9 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 10 times and Region coach of the year 4 times. He has also served as Aquinas Athletic director since 1978, expanding the athletic program from 8 sports to its current level of 18 sports. He was named NAIA region AD of the year on 3 occasions and has served as region chairman for 8 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 GRSHOF in 2004. He was also given the GR March of Dimes Warren Reynolds Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. |
| |
|
 |
ED HERRERA Hitting Coach -- Ed is in his second year as hitting coach with the Aquinas Saints. Ed owns his own baseball hitting club and is the director of player personnel and development for the Grand Rapids Flames. Ed has sent over 40 players on to play college baseball from his summer teams in the last six years including eight players that are currently on the Saints roster. Ed considers it a privilege to be part of such a great baseball tradition and treasures the opportunity to learn from Coach Greenslate and Coach Bocian. Ed is married to Shelly and together they have four grown children, and one beautiful granddaughter Haidyn Elise. |
| |
|
| |
MARK RASMUSSEN Assistant Coach -- Mark 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 acheived his Masters. |
|
| |
| Season
in Review: |
The Saints headed south in early March confident and ready to wipe away the memories of last year's disappointing season. A challenging schedule of quality NAIA opponents, including three teams ranked in the top twenty-five preseason poll awaited the Saints. Aquinas started strong sweeping Marian the first day, but that was the highlight of the trip. The Saints lost the next eight of nine games in five days to finish the trip with a 3-8 record. Although the won/loss record was disappointing, there were many positive signs and performances throughout the week the team could build from. As expected, the defense was improved and very impressive at all positions. The offense showed signs of being improved as well. More experience, better balance, and an effective bunting game fueled the offense. The most glaring concern the trip revealed was with the Saints pitching. Thought to be a strength of this year's staff was the bullpen, which struggled not only in Florida, but throughout the season. The pitching staff returned from Florida with concerns and questions over a fourth league starter, quality depth and the bullpen.
Taking some of the sting out of the discouraging record of the spring break trip was the ability to practice and play outside in Grand Rapids when the team returned. After a couple of exhibition games with local Community Colleges', the Saints traveled the following weekend to Indiana where they swept Indiana Wesleyan and beat Trine University. The weather continued to cooperate as the Saints prepared for their opening weekend of league play with a pair of exhibition wins and a loss to Alma College the last week of March. The team continued to gain confidence with consistent play and practice, as conference play began with Indiana Tech.
Conference play opened with a thud, as the Warrior's swept the Saints. Aquinas lost an extra inning game at Tech and lost a two run lead in the seventh inning of the first game at home on Sunday to put the Saints in a hole after the first weekend of conference play. Fortunately, the Saints rebounded the following weekend by sweeping Concordia, setting up a crucial Easter weekend series with new league member and cross town rival Davenport University. After dropping the first game in ten innings, Aquinas won the next three games of the series moving them into third place. The highly competitive Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference race was tightening up as the first place team, Madonna, series loomed the last weekend of conference play. To set up that showdown, Aquinas battled an improved Siena Heights squad in their rivalry for the Saints Cup. After dropping a one run game on the road, the Aquinas Saints responded by winning the next three games to surpass Indiana Tech and set up a conference championship showdown series with Madonna.
Aquinas needed to win three out of four games against Madonna to force a tie for the championship, which Aquinas would earn based on head to head competition. The teams split a doubleheader Saturday in Grand Rapids, forcing Aquinas to sweep on the road at Madonna. In a game for the ages, Aquinas won the first game 9-8 in extra innings to force a true championship game. It was not meant to be however, as Madonna claimed the league championship, and earned the right to host the conference tournament. As a result of the loss, Aquinas finished in a tie for second place with Indiana Tech, who claimed the second seed and a bye in the conference tournament, because of sweeping the season series against the Saints.
The Saints entered the conference tournament with something to prove after making a second half run and nearly winning the conference crown. Aquinas started strong, defeating Siena Heights in the first game. Aquinas then played Indiana Tech, who rallied from an 8-5 deficit in the bottom of the eighth inning to crush the Saints hopes, and send them to the loser's bracket. The Saints then faced Davenport in an elimination game, and took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth, before surrendering three runs and losing another heartbreaker 4-3.
The season had a number of team and individual highlights. The Saints posted 6-13 record in March, but improved the rest of the year and closed strong to finish with a successful overall record of 27-22. The Saints posted a 12-6 non-conference schedule up north that included wins over Olivet, Rochester, and Calvin College. The Saints split a doubleheader with Hope College in their annual game at Fifth Third Park, and ended their season with a loss to the Chippewa's at Central Michigan University.
Several Saints garnished post season honors. First team All Conference players included catcher Corey Gross, outfielder Jon Morse, and pitcher Marc Sobota. Earl Clover, Adam Farrell, Mike Kaiser, and Kennen Less earned honorable mention status. Making the grade to earn Academic All Conference status were Andrew Bard, Earl Clover, Will Eberle, Adam Farrell, and Dan Salvati. Earning Academic All American honors were Will Eberle, Nick Papes, and for the second consecutive year, Dan Salvati. Dan Salvati also represented Aquinas as its Champions of Character player. By a vote of the team, the Dennis Molnar Memorial Award for most valuable player was awarded to Corey Gross, Jon Morse, and Marc Sobota. The Val Bocian Best Teammate Award was voted to Dan Salvati.
|
| 2009 Signings |
The Aquinas College baseball staff has announced the following signings for the 2009-10 season.
Matt Stewart, right handed pitcher, (transfer from Mott Comm. College and Traverse City West HS);
Michael Penny, left handed pitcher/outfielder from Grand Rapids Cath. Central;
Dylan Ball, left handed outfielder from Caledonia HS;
Luke Andrusiak, left handed pitcher and outfielder from Caledonia HS;
Josh Drake, right handed pitcher/first baseman from Lowell HS;
Scott Witkop, catcher from Traverse City West HS;
Kyler Kolb, infielder from Macomb Dakota HS;
Steven Crawford, infielder from Middleville HS;
Austin King, infielder/pitcher from Forest Hills Eastern HS;
Todd Lindemulder, right handed pitcher from Wyoming Park HS;
Vince Masiewicz, right handed pitcher from Anchor Bay HS;
The Saints return 21 letterwinners from the 2009 squad which posted a 29-22 record and finished in 2nd place in the WHAC.
|
| 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 |
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 |
Tom 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 |
|
| 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 Hendrickson |
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 |
|
|
|
|
| 1973 |
Paul Gnepper |
| 1974 |
Greg Antor, Jim Berkey, Jesse Young |
| 1975 |
Jim Berkey, Jesse Young |
| 1976 |
Tim Matchinsky |
| 1977 |
Tim Matchinsky, Bill Przygocki |
| 1979 |
Dave Gumpert, Rick Heuvelman |
| 1982 |
Mark Hendrickson, Paul Assenmacher, Matt Niewiadomski |
| 1983 |
Tom Rentschler, Paul Assenmacher, Kevin Vizard |
| 1984 |
Tom Enslen, Mike Heffron |
| 1986 |
Clint Scollard |
| 1988 |
Erik Nord, Andy Postema |
| 1989 |
Andy Postema, Jim Johnson |
| 1991 |
Tim Sullivan |
| 1993 |
Kurt Huizenga |
| 1994 |
Kurt Huizenga, Randy Shagena |
| 1997 |
Chad Addicott |
| 1998 |
Jason Bialochowski, Shawn Veenstra |
| 2000 |
Shawn Veenstra, John Perko |
| 2001 |
Brent Backing, Brandon Bailey, Chris Laska |
| 2002 |
Brandon Bailey, Jason Ladd, Greg Skiba, John MacLeod |
| 2003 |
John MacLeod |
| 2004 |
Matt Bocian |
| 2005 |
Craig Antekier, Matt Soergel, Matt Spitzley, Kyle Finch |
| 2006 |
Matt Soergel, Matt Spitzley |
|
| Academic All-American |
1978 |
Dennis King |
1979 |
Dan Sherman |
1980 |
Dan Sherman |
1983 |
Mike Corey, Jim Belisle, Kevin Vizard |
1984 |
Mike Heffron |
1987 |
Mike Manley |
1994 |
Todd Vandenheuvel |
1996 |
Adam Vandentoorn |
1997 |
Adam Vandentoorn |
2000 |
Scott DeKock |
2002 |
Jason Ladd |
2003 |
Brett Cagney, Jeremy Frost, John Moceri |
2004 |
Brett Cagney, Jeremy Frost |
2007 |
Dave Dinallo, Todd Peters, Kevin Scholten |
2008 |
Todd Peters, Kevin Scholten, Dan Salvati, Brandon Maars |
| 2009 |
Dan Salvati, Will Eberle, Nick Papes |
|
|
 |
  |