Throwback - Alma College Baseball Season Preview
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ALMA, Mich. - The 2007 season is coming together and Alma College baseball hits the road to open its season in Port Charlotte, Fla., this weekend – the first time the team will practice and play outdoors after a treacherous winter in Michigan.
The Scots look to a host of players to fill in many spots vacated by some of the finest ball players in the history of Alma baseball with the graduation of Pete and Pat Ott, Ray Ribitch, Pat McGuire, Brandon Teenier and Mike Zuehlke. Though early in the season, head baseball coach John Leister is optimistic about hopes for the season.
Six seniors return to the diamond in 2007, highlighted by the Milford duo of Mike Slesinski and Dan Merian. Slesinski will start at third base for the Maroon and Cream while also taking up pitching and catching duties.
“Slesinski is a seasoned veteran who truly knows the game of baseball,” remarked Leister. “He’s smart and a real jack-of-all-trades player.”
Merian will start in center field for the Scots after 35 starts last season batting .221 in 95 at bats. One of Merian’s key assets is his speed, going six-of-seven in stolen bases last year.
“Dan has great speed and could anchor the leadoff role and steal bases for us,” said Leister. “He has really shown tremendous leadership in the off-season.”
Tyler Bolley (Lansing/Eastern), Jose Reece (Norton Shores/Muskegon Mona Shores), Tom Montgomery (Decatur, Ind./Big Rapids) and Drew Tarkington (Alpena) round out the returning seniors in 2007.
Much like Slesinski, Reece will combine his duties as starting first baseman with pitching and catching responsibilities while Bolley will start behind the plate for the Maroon and Cream. Montgomery will add depth to the pitching rotation after making four appearances a season ago. Tarkington continues to rehab from shoulder surgery in the fall. While the injury came to his non-throwing arm, the question remains whether he will be limited due to the surgery.
The pitching rotation will be led by sophomore Joe Thiry (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian) who ended the 2006 campaign with a 3-4 record and a 6.46 ERA in nine appearances. He threw three complete games – a total of 46 innings. Leister notes that his experience gained in his freshman season will help him expand his range and success in 2007. Classmate John Fillmore (Midland) is expected to do great things in his second year on the mound after 12 appearances and a 1.84 ERA in 14.2 innings pitched. In the preseason, he’s looking strong and prepared for an arduous Florida trip and MIAA schedule.
Wade Slavik (Ashley/Fulton-Middleton) will also be a key contributor from the mound after going 3-2 for the season with a 4.14 ERA last year. He saw the second-most time on the hill for the Scots behind only starting ace Brandon Teenier who ended his career as one of the most successful pitchers in Alma history.
Look for junior Matt Gorman (Gladwin) and sophomore Matt Brown (Midland) to also contribute to the pitching rotation.
With Merian anchoring things in center field, Aaron Assmann (Mt. Pleasant) is fighting for a starting spot in left field while Mike McAlpin (Mt. Pleasant),Tony Garcia (Lapeer/Lapeer East) and Luke Grover (Vestaburg) battle things out for the starting spot in right.
The infield comes together with Bolley behind the dish, Slesinski at third and Reece at first base. Sophomore Jeremy Stephens (Maple Rapids/Fulton-Middleton) returns at shortstop after a great season at wide receiver on the gridiron and has matured considerably from his inaugural season in 2006.
“Stephens has a tremendous arm and has great range at the shortstop position. His bat is coming around and I’m really looking for good things out of him,” said Leister.
Junior Ray Foley (New Hudson/South Lyon) could find himself in the starting spot at second base with additional competition coming from freshman Tyler Periard (Birch Run).
With question marks dotted around the field, the Florida trip allows the coaches and players to stretch their legs and prepare for the MIAA season. Freshman Dan Gonzalez-Morales (Lansing/Eastern) could see time at various spots in the infield depending on situations and pitching rotation. A terrific arm and great feet could allow him to be a contributor for the Scots. Unfortunately, junior Scott Ribitch (Mt. Pleasant) will miss the season after a second reconstructive shoulder surgery.
While a host of possibilities at spots throughout the lineup and the field, Alma has a blend of experience and freshness that will allow it to compete in a solid MIAA.
Alma opens the season at the Port Charlotte Invitational in Port Charlotte, Fla., and returns to Michigan with just one non-conference game against Division II Northwood on March 21 before entering the MIAA season. Again this season, the Scots will play home-and-home, two-game series’ against MIAA opponents, leading off with a series against Hope at Klenk Park on Mar. 24. The Scots face Saginaw Valley State University and Finlandia in non-conference games throughout the season.
The Scots play nine home dates at Klenk Park, one of the finest Division III ballparks in the nation, beginning with the March 24 series against Hope College. For more information on the Scots’ schedule and results, visit www.alma.edu/athletics.
Posted: Thu, February 22nd, 2007 at 5:34PM
