Cornell, Davidson, Schaly Lead GLIAC Baseball Team
May 11, 2004

In the Old West, rewards were offered for those on the “Most Wanted” list. In the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, awards are presented to the “Most Wanted,” men.

Who wouldn’t want to dip into the Ashland University talent pool when it comes to putting together a baseball team? The depth and talent of the Eagles was recognized again on Tuesday (May 11) with the announcement of the All-GLIAC Baseball Team. The GLIAC all-star team is selected by the conference coaches.

AU center fielder Brandon Cornell has been honored as the GLIAC baseball player of the year. The Eagles had a number of players who received recognition from the conference.

AU center fielder Brandon Cornell (Columbus, OH/Bishop Watterson) was honored as the league’s player of the year. The career leader in hits and triples at AU, the senior is hitting .419 with 10 homers and 71 RBI. That RBI total is the second highest single-season mark in school history. Cornell ranks in the GLIAC’s Top 10 in 10 statistical categories. This is the second straight year he’s been a first team All-GLIAC choice. He was also an all-region pick a year ago.

Josh Davidson (Lexington, OH), who’s been brilliant as a pitcher and designated hitter is the GLIAC freshman of the year. Davidson is 9-2 with a 3.23 ERA. His win total is the highest on the club. At the plate, Davidson owns a .397 batting average with seven doubles and nine RBI.

AU head coach John Schaly is the 2004 GLIAC coach of the year. Schaly is in his seventh season at Ashland. He’s guided the Eagles to the NCAA Division II playoffs for six consecutive years. This year’s team is 45-13 heading into this week’s NCAA Division II North Central Region tournament, which will be hosted by AU. The Eagles finished the regular season first in the GLIAC standings and placed second at last week’s GLIAC tournament. Under Schaly, AU has advanced to the NCAA national championships in Montgomery, AL, two times. His record at AU is 281-121. This is his 17th season as a college head coach. His overall record is 644-339.

Three other AU players join Cornell on the GLIAC first team. That list includes senior catcher Josh Gaub (Brunswick, OH), junior outfielder Allen Ayers (Columbus, OH/St. Charles Prep) and junior pitcher Cody Castle (Dayton, OH/Sinclair C.C.)

Gaub, the 2003 GLIAC player of the year, is hitting .409 with six homers and 57 RBI. Ayers, the leadoff hitter, sports a .385 batting average and is 25-25 on stolen base tries. Castle, AU’s No. 1 starter all year, is 8-4 with a 3.43 ERA.

Senior shortstop Eric McDaniel (Curtice, OH/Owens C.C.), Davidson and junior lefthanded pitcher Ryan Douglas are second team All-GLIAC selections. McDaniel owns a .337 batting average. He has six homers and has knocked in 60 runs. Douglas is 4-2 and has a team-high five saves.

Freshman first baseman Ron Oneson (London, ONT/Saunders Secondary School) and junior pitcher Todd Martinelli (Gahanna, OH/Columbus C.C.) have been named to the GLIAC honorable mention list.

Oneson is hitting .368 with two homers and 45 RBI. Martinelli is 8-2 with a 3.88 ERA.