Sandy Gholston's 2010 GLIAC Baseball Preview

Sandy Gholston is a special writer for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and former recipient of the GLIAC "Media Service Award."

BAY CITY, Mich. – Boasting some of the premier baseball programs in NCAA Division II, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) continues to strengthen its reputation on the diamond.

The latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s (NCBWA) Division II Poll indicates some pundits think highly of the conference’s two top programs: Grand Valley State University, ranked seventh, and Ashland University, listed among "Others Receiving Votes." While the Lakers and the Eagles begin the 2010 season as the two favorites, with national backing, the GLIAC is solid beyond its two projected best with Wayne State University expected to send yet another solid baseball team to the diamond this spring.

 

2010 GLIAC Baseball Coaches’ Preseason Poll
Rank	School (first-place votes)	Points
1.	Grand Valley State (6)	48
2.	Ashland (2)	42
3.	Wayne State	37
4.	Northwood	33
5.	Saginaw Valley State	21
6.	Findlay	18
7.	Tiffin	17
8.	Hillsdale	8

Grand Valley returns as defending GLIAC champion having won the title last season with a win in the title game (7-4) against Northwood University at V.A. Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio. The Lakers entered the league’s tournament seeded second, benefited from an early departure by top-seeded Ashland and battled its way through the winner’s bracket to win in the title game.

This spring, the league’s baseball teams will battle through the GLIAC Baseball Tournament at V.A. Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio on May 6-8.

In the spring’s 2010 preseason GLIAC Baseball Poll, Grand Valley was picked first with 48 points and six first-place votes. Ashland was slotted second with 42 points and two first-place votes, Wayne State was third with 37 points, Northwood was fourth with 33, Saginaw Valley State University was fifth with 21, the University of Findlay was sixth with 18, Tiffin University was seventh with 17 and Hillsdale College was eighth with eight points.

Previews are listed below in projected order of finish in the 2010 GLIAC Baseball Coaches Poll released by the league office:

Grand Valley State University

Overview: Veteran head coach Steve Lyon has led a successful effort to build Grand Valley State into one of the premier D-II baseball programs in the nation. Based on tradition, and a wealth of returning talent, expectations again are high in Allendale. The Lakers are ranked fifth in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason poll and Ping Collegiate baseball poll, while the American Baseball Coaches Association poll ranks the Lakers 17th. Although some of the rankings vary, the general message is consistent: experts think highly of Lyon’s Lakers. Great teams are built by great players and, in that sense, Grand Valley is no different. Leading a talented group is preseason Division II All-American second baseman Kyle Gendron, an ABCA Third-Team All-American in 2009 as he batted .390 with 90 hits, 62 runs scored, 11 home runs and 52 runs batted in. First baseman Cory Maguire is back after being named All-GLIAC Second-Team selection after batting .362 with 76 hits, 62 runs scored, 52 RBI and 11 homers. Center fielder Cody Grice, the 2009 GLIAC "Freshman of the Year" and a first-team All-GLIAC choice is back with high expectations. Steven Anderson leads a strong outfield with a .394 batting average. On the infield, second-year catcher Jared Cowan gained some good experience a year ago and that could pay off for him. The Laker pitching staff is back, strong and deep. Lefty Matt Cade was 8-0 last season with 50 strikeouts and just 14 walks. Kyle Schepel was 5-1 a year ago, Brad Raj, who also played shortstop, was 3-1. Joe Jablonski was 6-3 with a 5.21 ERA. The tradition-rich Lakers have their usual championship look, but will have to fight for it against quality competition inside and outside the GLIAC. GVSU advanced to the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship after winning the regional title.

Coaching: Steve Lyon is in his 12^th season as head coach of Grand Valley.

2009 Record: 45-16-1 overall, 20-11-1 GLIAC

Noteworthy: The Lakers have won six straight outright GLIAC championships and the streak is seven with a co-championship in 2003 (with Saginaw Valley State).

Ashland University

Overview: Ashland enters the 2010 spring campaign as a team that is talented and hungry to battle for the GLIAC title. The Eagles, which illustrated its prowess last season with a strong run through conference play is ready to come back this season to not only perform well during the regular season, but finish the deal in the conference tournament and through the playoffs. Looking at the candidates to lead this Eagles, this spring, begins with senior Ben Minard, who pitches and plays first base. As a pitcher, Minard was 10-1 last spring with a 3.89 earned run average. He also batted .368 with eight home runs and 57 runs driven in en route to being named an All-American. Minard has help in the form of another returning All-American, senior third baseman Jacob Petkac. The 2009 GLIAC "Player of the Year," batted .379 with five home runs and 53 RBI. He also collected some hardware for his glove as he earned a region Golden Glove award. Beyond the infield, look for the Eagles to be solid as well led by Ryan Avery, a junior, who posted a .358 batting average along with four home runs and 36 runs driven in. Look out also for senior pitcher Ajay Meyer, the 2009 GLIAC "Pitcher of the Year," who was 10-2 last season with a 3.52 ERA. 

2009 Record: 42-15-1 overall, 26-5-1 GLIAC 

Coaching: Ashland is coached by John Schaly, who is in his 13^th season and owns a record of 482-208 record with the Eagles. He was the 2009 GLIAC "Coach of the Year." 

Noteworthy: Ashland begins the season ranked seventh in the preseason by Collegiate Baseball and 13^th in the Ping Preseason Poll

Wayne State University

  Overview: Wayne State’s 2010 roster features an almost perfect blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. The Warriors welcome back 18 letterwinners returning to join 17 newcomers (including 10 freshmen) to a program coming off a 25-win season (the most for any first-year head coach in the history of the Wayne State program). Among reasons for optimism is the return of Michael Wiseman, a junior catcher who also serves as the team’s co-captain. A 2010 preseason ABCA All-American, Wiseman is a two-time all-region honoree, an All-GLIAC First-Team pick and Wayne’s Most Valuable Player. The honors are well earned for Wiseman, who batted .370 last season. He is, however, more than an offensive weapon as he led the GLIAC by throwing out 27 runners attempting to steal bases. Co-captain Justin Mazur is WSU’s all-time leader with a .857 career winning percentage (12-2). A 2009 All-GLIAC Honorable Mention player, Mazur also is the school’s active leader (22^nd all time) with a 6.84 strikeouts-per-nine-innings average. In the outfield, the Warriors have experience led by Ryan LaPensee, a preseason All-American, who batted .362 with 30 RBI and a team-best 47 runs scored. He was tied for league-best honors in stolen bases with 26 (the seventh-best total in Wayne history).

2009 Record: 25-26 overall, 18-15 GLIAC

Coaching: Ryan Kelley is in his second season as head coach of the Warriors after a 25-26 campaign in 2009.

Noteworthy: Coach Kelley won more games than any other first-year coach in the 70-year history of Wayne State University baseball.

Northwood University

Overview: Coming off a solid season, in 2009, Northwood hopes to challenge the top two teams (Ashland and Grand Valley) in 2010. A year ago, the Timberwolves were 27-23 overall and finished third in the GLIAC at 18-15 during the regular season. That was accomplished with a roster stacked with some good young talent that has had a year to improve and mature. Leading the returning players for Northwood is senior outfielder Adam Rider, a Midland native, who was an All-GLIAC Second-Team performer last spring. Rider was tough at the plate as he batted .303 with 56 hits, 12 doubles, three triples, two home runs and 35 RBI. The Timberwolves also have a pair of young arms coming back for another run as All-GLIAC Honorable Mention hurlers, junior Eric Kinley and sophomore Jordan Snider, will take the bump. Kinley had a 2.85 ERA, a 5-5 record and 63 strikeouts while Snider was 6-3 with 37 strikeouts and a 4.55 ERA.

2009 Record: 27-23 overall, 18-15 GLIAC 

Coaching: Joe Di Benedetto is in his 11^th season as head coach of the Northwood baseball team and has 206 wins in his first 10 seasons.

Noteworthy: Prior to taking over at Northwood, Di Benedetto coached eight seasons at Northwood’s Florida campus. During that time, the Seahawks earned trips to the NAIA district playoffs six times and won 30 or more games in six consecutive seasons from 1994-99.

Saginaw Valley State University

Overview: Saginaw Valley has a boatload of talent returning to the nest as the Cardinals hope to use some strong bats to blast their way to success in 2010. Among the top returning hitters for the Cardinals is Kevin Dore, a senior second baseman who batted .381 with 40 hits, 22 runs scored and 11 RBI. Dore was named to the Daktronics, Inc. Baseball All- Midwest Region Second Team last season. Also back is senior right fielder Charlie Thomas, who had 57 hits, 38 RBI and five home runs to help comprise his .358 batting average. Catcher Ryan Webber and left fielder Josh Peterson are back off 50-hit seasons for the Cardinals. Both also swatted five home runs. Webber was named the team’s most valuable player last season. Sophomore third baseman Jason Potts is back after hitting .311 in 2009. Chase Coulter batted .298 and Mike VanAlst batted .283 for Saginaw Valley and are back for the 2010 season.

2009 Record: 19-28-1 overall, 13-19-1 GLIAC

Coaching: Walt Head has a career record of 772-532-6 in 28 seasons as head coach of the Cardinals.

Noteworthy: Charlie Thomas was awarded the GLIAC Commissioner’s Award for academic and athletic achievements on the baseball field and in the classroom.

University of Findlay

Overview: The University of Findlay baseball team hopes to turn future potential into current production. After finishing just under .500 last season in the GLIAC (19-21), the Oilers hope for better results this spring. Findlay has a good group of talented players returning to the diamond led by sophomore Ross Guisinger, who played in the outfield and pitched during his freshman season. He posted a .323 batting average, a .479 slugging percentage, four home runs, 30 RBI and 12 doubles. The outfield looks strong for Findlay as junior Kyle Wilson also is back after. The team’s leadoff hitter last season, Wilson had a .428 on-base percentage as he also batted .298 with six doubles, 27 RBI and four home runs. Keep an eye also on Jason Reitenbach in center field. Sophomore Dustin Zielaskiewicz, also a standout football player at Findlay, is back. He started 36 games last season, scored 14 runs and drove in 16. The Oilers have some big shoes to fill on the infield with the loss of Brian Sampsel, but there are some candidates to pick up the slack. Second baseman Robert Marsh and shortstop Bobby Herberger are back in the lineup. Marsh drove in 36 runs last year and stole 10 bases. Senior Alex Raymond and sophomore David Cort are back behind the plate. Raymond is a strong hitter as he returns after batting .302, in 2009, with eight doubles and 21 RBI.  The Oilers have a number of arms returning to the mound this season. The group of returnees consists of Matt Weber, Aaron Geis, Troy Balduf, Andrew Baderstcher, Guisinger, Andrew Schramm, Zak Damman and Scott Harrold. Geis and Guinsinger were key starters last season and could be called upon again this spring to step up.

2009 Record: 19-30 overall, 19-21 GLIAC

Coaching: In seven years at Findlay, Troy Berry has compiled a record of 142-157.

Noteworthy: Coach Berry was an assistant coach at Findlay for 11 seasons before taking over as head coach. He was in charge of outfielders and parts of the hitting aspects of the game.

Tiffin University

Overview: Optimism is strong as Tiffin begins the 2010 season of GLIAC baseball under head coach Lonny Allen, whose team returns 21 letterwinners. The Dragons understand, however, that the key to success begins with winning baseball’s version of the arms race. Pitching is an area where the Dragons figured to have to make some improvement coming into this season after posting an earned run average of 7.91 a year ago. Of course, producing a little more at the plate takes a little pressure off the pitching and defense. Cory Hornyak, a junior transfer, will have dual responsibilities as he will play in center field and strengthen the front of the pitching rotation for Tiffin this year. Trevor Woodjets is back after finishing 2-6 with a 7.73 ERA in 10 starts. Donnie Smith is a returner, while there should be competition involving Kyle Klinker and Tom Podulka for a spot in the starter rotation. Jason Higgins, Brad Davis and Travis Colliver strengthen the bullpen for the Oilers. Tiffin needs to be consistent and strong at the plate. All-region and All-GLIAC right fielder Ty Blake is back after smacking a school-record 70 hits. He led the team with a .402 batting average to go along with his four home runs and 41 RBI. Other returning players include: designated hitter and All-GLIAC performer Jason Bailey (.366, 43 RBI), first baseman and pitcher Pat Curtin (.324, 6 HR, 37 RBI), All-GLIAC shortstop Val Helldobler (.354, 42 RBI), second baseman Tom Touris (.313) and third baseman Colin Lowe (.307).

2009 Record: 20-31-1 overall

Coaching: Lonny Allen has coached 19 seasons at Tiffin and has a career record of 385-424-2

Noteworthy: Tiffin has been playing intercollegiate baseball since 1967.

Hillsdale College

Overview: The Chargers, even with no seniors, still welcome back a solid nucleus of talent from the 2009 season, but Hillsdale is hopeful that some intriguing newcomers could make a significant difference in the climb up the standings of the GLIAC. The program would love to improve on last season’s 13-33 overall record. Hillsdale is particularly excited about the arrival of a hometown product, Scott Lantis, who could step in as the team’s starting catcher. Lantis is joining a team that has a cupboard that is anything, but bare. John Bonvillian hit .344 as a freshman last season en route to being named All-GLIAC Honorable Mention. The Chargers are hopeful he can take a big step from his freshman campaign to his sophomore season. Clay Stephens and Chris Stephens both hit above .300 and return to the lineup. Around the infield, Hillsdale looks solid with Adam Connell, Jamie McNeill and Brent Opland in the mix. On the mound, Dan Rhodes is back for Hillsdale after winning four games in 2009. He will be relied upon heavily as the Chargers need that key performer to solidify its very young pitching staff.

2009 Record: 13-33 overall, 6-27 GLIAC

Coaching: Paul Noce enters his 17^th season as head coach at Hillsdale.

Noteworthy: Scott Lantis, a highly-touted recruit, is expected to pitch and catch for the Chargers this season. Lantis led Hillsdale High School to its first-ever state baseball championship in 2007.