2010 Baseball Season Preview
After losing eleven players from last year's team to graduation, the 2010 Sabres will have a lot of new faces that will need to fill key roles in order for the team to have success. The Sabres will look to build off five key returning offensive players and some key newcomers.
Despite losing a lot of production to graduation, Coach Jason Bartelt is relatively optimistic about the 2010 season. "I think we have some key players returning and I'm optimistic that their leadership will be complimented by some solid performances by our newcomers," stated Bartelt. "I really feel we have some newcomers that will step up in their first year as a Sabre."
When asked about this year's schedule, Bartelt noted that once again the strength of the schedule is very strong. The Sabres will face five teams (Eastern Connecticut State, Carthage College, the University of Southern Maine, UW-Whitewater, and UW-Oshkosh) that qualified for the NCAA Regionals a year ago. Three of these teams are ranked in the top thirteen of the Preseason D3Baseball.com Poll. Marian will face tough competition as they match up with #3 Eastern Connecticut State and #13 University of Southern Maine on their Spring Trip in Phoenix, Arizona. When the Sabres return home, they will face two more tough non-conference opponents in Ripon College and UW-Whitewater before opening up the conference part of their schedule.
The Sabres have been picked to finish seventh in the NAC Preseason Coaches Poll. Bartelt was not surprised by the prediction with the losses to graduation, but hopes to improve throughout the season and make a strong run in the Northern Athletics Conference. He believes the NAC will be competitive as always and hopes his team can make a run at the NAC Tournament.
Positional Breakdown
Catchers: Bartelt stated he thinks the catcher position could potentially be a strong point of this year's team. The Sabres return senior Josh Klismith (Stevens Point, WI) and sophomore Anthony Porcaro (Burlington, WI). Both played injured last season and Bartelt noted that if these two can stay healthy, they will be a big part of the Sabre offense. Klismith hit .319 last season and led the team with 6 home runs. He also drove in 31 runs. Porcaro was a NAC Honorable Mention and All-Rookie Team selection a year ago. He hit .377 as a freshman and started all 40 games. He led the team in walks (27), was second on the team in runs scored (44) and stolen bases (13), while finishing third on the team with 58 hits.
Freshmen Ryan Dalton (Franklin, WI) and utility player Brent Johnson (Escanaba, MI) will provide depth this season behind the dish.
Pitchers: The Sabres return four arms from a year ago, all of whom are sophomores. Jesse Blum (Marion, WI), Mitchell Gardner (Sheboygan, WI), Jace Unrein (Racine, WI), and Matt Schroeder (Howards Grove, WI) all return after gaining a year of experience a year ago. Blum made 12 appearances a year ago and posted a 5.90 ERA. He finished with a 3-2 record, including an impressive win over Ripon College. Gardner made seven apperances and also had an impressive non-conference victory as he picked up the win against UW-Whitewater. Unrein and Schroeder combined for nine appearances.
The Sabres have added a couple of transfers and quality freshmen to the mix and Bartelt hopes to have a quality staff as the season progresses. Amongst the newcomers are junior Dustin Andrus (Oakfield, WI) and freshmen Ty Engler (Waterford, WI), Tyler Goggins (Waupaca, WI), Eric Weber (Mt. Calvary, WI), Jeff Thomas (Green Bay, WI), Adam Miner (Wisconsin Rapids, WI), and Jake Miller (Marshall, WI).
Infielders: The Sabre infield will have a new look at each of the positions this season. The only returning infielder who saw substantial time a year ago is Unrein, who will also pitch. Unrein hit .420 last year in 19 games played. He was 21-for-50 at the plate. He was also solid defensively as he didn't commit an error at first base. Other returning players looking to make an impact in the infield are sophomores Zach Wilderman (Mayville, WI), Ryan Fisher (Marshall, WI), and Schroeder.
Bartelt noted that several first-year players have caught his eye in fall ball and practice so far. Amongst them are freshmen Will Martin (Villa Park, IL), Ryan Seifert (Germantown, WI), Kasey Hintz (Racine, WI), Chad Langley (Racine, WI), and Weber.
Mitchell Andrus (Colgate, WI), Phil Seis (Antigo, WI), and Brian Stephanie (Fond du Lac, WI) will give the Sabres depth in the infield. Andrus will also see time on the mound for the Sabres.
Outfielders: Bartelt stated the outfield will probably be the strong point of this year's team. He hopes the outfield can anchor the defense and believes they will be a big part of the offense. Juniors Tim Holtz (Oshkosh, WI) and Ryan Hiller (Marshfield, WI) both return after having solid sophomore seasons. Holtz hit .376 a year ago with 50 hits, 36 runs scored, 8 doubles, and two home runs. Hiller hit .303 last season. Holz and Hiller will be looked at to be consistent run producers in Marian's lineup.
Other players who saw action a year ago are junior Cody Haase (Pulaski, WI) and sophomores Cory Martin (Beaver Dam, WI) and Kent Lentz (Oxford, WI).
Newcomers in the outfield include freshmen Dale Murawsky (Oak Creek, WI), Josh Guenthner (Antigo, WI), and Cody Vanderhei (Waukesha, WI).