Season Preview 2005; Solid Foundation In Place For Alma Baseball Team
After posting a 16-19 (9-9 MIAA) record last season, the Alma Scots and head baseball coach John Leister look to build on what was a solid, if unspectacular season.The Scots return several key contributors from last season’s team that finished fourth in the MIAA conference race. Junior Brandon Teenier (Holly) looks to build on last year’s 7-0, 2.59 ERA season which netted him MIAA Pitcher of the Year honors as well as all first team All-MIAA accolades. Speedy junior outfielder Ray Ribitch (Mt. Pleasant) joined Teenier on the first team, hitting .321 and leading the Scots in several offensive categories including runs scored, doubles and stolen bases. Ribitch, in fact, shattered the single season stolen base record last year by swiping 37 bags while only being caught three times. Already, Ribitch is atop the career stolen bases category with 54 in two seasons with Alma.
INFIELD
The Maroon and Cream did lose their top RBI guy from last season in the form of Kevin Vermeersch, but the Scots return last season’s home run leader, first baseman Pat McGuire (Clare) who also led the Scots in slugging percentage (.528) and tied Vermeersch for team RBI honors. McGuire was awarded honorable mention All-MIAA recognition as a sophomore. Junior Pat Ott (East Lansing) joined McGuire with honorable mention accolades and returns to play second base for the Scots, a position in which he started 33 of 34 games last season. Ott will team with senior shortstop Adam Jerry (St. Louis) for double play duties after Jerry started the majority of last season’s games at the position. Fellow senior Jim Wegener (Hemlock) looks to patrol the hot corner again this season as he spent much of his time last season in that capacity. Senior Craig Histed (Reese) and sophomores Brandon Shorter (Alanson) and Blake Williams (Caro) are all experienced infielders that expect to see time this season in various roles.
OUTFIELD
In addition to returning Ribitch to the outfield the Scots look to find places for sophomores Dan Merian (Milford) and Justin Evans (Bay City/Western). Junior Pete Ott (East Lansing) will look to find a home away from the pitching mound after suffering a shoulder injury that could hamper his pitching ability. Newcomers that look to crack the lineup in an already solid outfield include freshman Scott Ribitch (Mt Pleasant), younger brother of standout Ray and Aaron Assman (Mt. Pleasant).
PITCHING
The pitching staff appears to be a little top heavy, as Teenier returns as well as Shorter who started seven games last season as a freshman and trailed only Teenier in wins and ERA. With the injury to Pete Ott, the rest of the rotation is up for grabs with junior Will Eubank (Lansing/Everett), sophomore Tom Montgomery (Big Rapids), junior Jim Hunsanger (Lapeer/North Branch Wesleyan Academy), and newcomer Wade Slavik (Fulton) looking for time on the mound for the Scots.
CATCHING
The catching duties are set to be split among a group of talented youngsters. Sophomore Chris Regan (St. Joseph) looks to return to action after a shoulder injury put him on the shelf after just four games last season. Josh Reece (Muskegon), who did a majority of the catching duties last year, returns after hitting .324 last season, and placing second on the team in runs driven in. Mike Zuehlke (Mt. Pleasant) returns to the Scots after missing last year. Zuehlke was a force to be reckoned with behind the plate his freshman season and will again be called upon to lead the Scots.
COACHING
Head coach John Leister returns for his 10th season with the Maroon and Cream. Boasting a career record of 123-177-1, Leister has a win percentage of .408. He led the Scots to an MIAA Championship in 1999 and looks to return to the top of the conference in 2005.
Joining Leister on the bench are Jason Biehl and Chris Ebright.
Biehl, a 2002 graduate of Alma College and a native of St. Louis, Mich., was the Scots’ all-time stolen base leader before Ray Ribitch stole that title, already out-pacing Biehl’s career mark of 45 stolen bases. Biehl was part of the 1999 squad that took the conference title, due in part to his 17 stolen bases that season. With 84 career runs and 118 hits to his credit in 111 games, he had more at bats - 393 - than anyone else in school history. He ranks among the top 10 in most categories in the Alma record books.
Chris Ebright played four years for Saginaw Valley State University, anchoring the catching game. A native of Ithaca, Mich., Ebright will help the Scots refine their play in the infield and manage the game from behind the plate.
THE MIAA
After taking the MIAA Championship in 2004, Albion will again be a force in the conference race. Although Adrian and Hope finished ahead of the Scots in the final standings, the Scots dropped several close games and, with the returners stepping up after getting a good taste of league play, Alma will be a force in the title race.
THE SCHEDULE
Opening the regular season at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic, the Scots face Hanover, Augustana and Christopher Newport before returning to Alma where they play at home five of the six days between Mar. 28-Apr. 2. The Scots spend the better part of April on the road at Saginaw Valley State, Olivet, Tri-State, Northwood and Calvin before returning to the comfort of Klenk Park where they host Kalamazoo College in the final home series of the regular season and wrap up competition at Adrian May 5-6.
Posted: Mon, February 21st, 2005 at 4:02PM
