2006 Season Preview
The 2006 Alma College baseball team begins official practices Jan. 30 with pre-season conditioning underway. The 2006 campaign looms on the horizon with the team’s annual trip to the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Fla., Feb. 25-Mar. 4 and a new MIAA format when the Scots return to Michigan.Head coach John Leister returns for his 10th season at the helm for the Scots, boasting a 117-169-1 record in nine seasons. After a tough 2005 schedule where the Scots went 9-22 overall and 9-12 in MIAA action, the Maroon and Cream look to 2006 for vindication.
Leister welcomes assistant coach Judd Folske to his staff this year, a much-needed addition to the Scots’ staff. Folske brings a lot of intangibles to the team with his long, successful career. His resume includes stops at Ferris State University, Central Michigan University and Saginaw Valley State University. As coach for the Chippewa’s, Folske posted an impressive 131-98 record.
While Leister was busy in the fall as offensive coordinator of the successful Scots football program, Folske oversaw fall practices and initiated an off-season workout and swimming regimen to keep the Scots in top form.
With a roster of nearly 50 players, the Scots will not want for talent – the key will be in juggling the talent, especially of the pitching staff. Led by senior second team All-MIAA pitcher Brandon Teenier (Holly), the pitchers will be looked to more than ever as the keys to MIAA title contention within the new MIAA format.
Beginning with the 2006 season, the Scots and their MIAA counterparts will play four- game series – two doubleheaders - as opposed to the three-game series they have grown accustomed to playing. This means pitching staffs will be depended upon more now than ever before and Teenier will be leading that contingent in 2006. Look for Tom Montgomery (Big Rapids) and Brandon Shorter (Alanson) to be key contributors from the hill in addition to a host of others including seniors Jim Hunsanger (Lapeer/North Branch Wesleyan) and Aaron Chamberlain (Newberry).
While the Scots pitching staff has been determined, the rest of the line-up card and pitching rotation has not. Mike Zuehlke (Mt. Pleasant) looks to be the front-runner as the Scots starting catcher though Leister expects a handful of others to contend for that spot.
From there, the infield is a host of question marks with the corners empty – Calvin Bassil did not return to Alma to resume his post at first base while third base is an even larger question. Leister looks to senior Pat Ott (East Lansing) as the front runner at second base while sophomore Scott Ribitch (Mt. Pleasant) moves to shortstop for the ’06 campaign.
The outfield returns senior captain Ray Ribitch (Mt. Pleasant) in center with Dan Merian (Milford) the Scots’ first option in right field. Second team All-MIAA outfielder Pete Ott (East Lansing) could slide into the left field spot, depending on the health of his arm.
Designated hitter Pat McGuire (Clare) returns after batting .215 in 20 games a season ago. The Ott brothers – Pete and Pat – who hit .329 and .307, respectively, a year ago were two of the Scots’ most consistent hitters and will need to continue that role for the Maroon and Cream to find success in 2006.
While the Scots welcome back a wealth of experience in all of these individuals, there are a host of others knocking on the door for starting spots. Both Ray Foley (South Lyon) and Mike Slesinski (Milford) enjoyed great success in fall practice while pitchers John Fillmore (Midland) and Joe Thiry (Grand Rapids) could be keys to the pitching strategy come spring.
After a 9-22 campaign a year ago, the Scots are looking to again contend for the MIAA Championship under the new league format – with the addition of Folske to the coaching staff and a team that has committed itself to excelling in the off-season, look for a strong showing in 2006 from the Scots.
Posted: Mon, January 23rd, 2006 at 12:58AM
