2005 Baseball Preview: Eagles are Strong Contestants for Season's Prizes
February 2, 2005

Ashland University baseball coach John Schaly isn’t a game show aficionado. But, his team does have some similarities with those mid-morning, early afternoon television programs.

Lots of players on this year’s team are in a “What’s My Line” situation. Like Jeopardy contestants, there are plenty of questions to be asked.

Now the good news. History shows that at Ashland, the prizes behind Doors 1, 2 and 3 are equally impressive and breath-taking.

Look at some of the trips that can be won. Ashland has advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs six consecutive seasons. Under Schaly, AU has won two regional titles and made two visits to the NCAA Championships.

Now let’s talk diamonds – the baseball kind and the kind that come with championship hardware and jewelry. The Eagles have had the last two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference player of the year recipients. Last season, AU also boasted the conference’s freshman of the year. The Eagles had one second team All-America and a first team Academic All-America in 2004 and seven players were first or second team All-GLIAC. Four players were first or second team all-region choices.

There are holes to be filled on this year’s team, but there are plenty of players back from a team that went 47-15, won the GLIAC regular season crown and finished as the regional runnerup. Those are the kind of campaigns that the Eagles have consistently put together over the last six years. A look at the team that will try to keep that streak going appears below.

Pitching Staff
The AU starting staff is definitely right wing. Three proven righthanders at the top of the rotation may not give this group filibuster power, but it gives the Eagles three pitchers who can bust their way through opposing lineups. As hitters can attest, this trio makes liberal use of hard fastballs and biting curveballs.

The only concern has to do with the health of staff ace Cody Castle. He had Tommy John surgery in the offseason. Castle’s coming off a 9-4 season. He also saved three games and the righty earned first team All-GLIAC and second team all-region laurels. Castle authored team highs in innings (103.3), complete games (8) and strikeouts (79).

“He’s the big question mark,” admitted Schaly. “If he’s healthy, our top three from last year are back. His rehab has gone well. Time will tell. With Tommy John surgery, eight to 12 months recovery is normal. But we’ll see.”

The other two members of Schaly’s top three are righthanders Todd Martinelli and Josh Davidson. Davidson, a sophomore, was the GLIAC freshman of the year in 2004 when he went 10-2 with one save. He walked only 18 batters in 69.6 innings.

“He had a great year,” reviewed Schaly. “He threw well in the big games, won some big games and proved to be a money guy. Emotionally he’s always on an even keel. He’s got a great career ahead of him.”

Schaly predicts similar success for Martinelli, who was 8-3 last season. Last year was Martinelli’s first at AU after transferring from Columbus State. He’s more comfortable this year and Schaly believes that will make him more effective.

“It was an adjustment for him coming from junior college,” reminded the AU head coach. “We look for even bigger and better things from him, we’re really counting on him. His offspeed stuff is improving and that should make him better.”

Another returnee who got better with every inning last season was Jim Barry. A junior, the righthander went 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA in 13 games. His best pitching came at the most crucial times, late in the regular season and in the playoffs. Barry figures in the mix somewhere, either as a starter or bullpen stalwart.

Several newcomers will have the chance to join the rotation. Ryan Petrich, a 6-7, 225-pound freshman righty and Todd Wells, a junior lefty, are two strong candidates for those spots. Wells is from Owens Community College.

“Ryan has a good arm, throws in the upper 80’s and has touched 90,” remarked Schaly. “He doesn’t have the experience, but he has the ability. Todd can throw in the mid-80’s and has a good breaking ball. He’s had a lot of success in junior college. We think he can step in and help us right away.”

Junior Lek Cole, a righthander, is in the picture at shortstop, but has intrigued the coaching staff with his mound work.

“He threw well in the fall,” Schaly said. “He threw strikes and had good command.”

Freshman righty Thom Abbott, a quarterback on the AU football team, has a live fastball and will receive a long look. Troy Reeder, a 6-4, 205-pound junior righthander, was the No. 1 starter for Cuyahoga Community College last season. He could fill several roles, as could returning sophomore lefties Matt Patton and Dan McGinnis. Both made solid strides a year ago. Freshman righthander Mike Harris, an Ashland product, is anxious to compete for a job, too.

All-GLIAC performer Ryan Douglas is redshirting this year due to injury. He went 4-3 last year with a team-high six saves.

Infield
Some retailers are looking to eliminate the middle man. Not Schaly. One of his prime concerns this season is finding middle men.

The Eagles have lost their starting catcher, second baseman and shortstop from last season. As the time-worn baseball adage states, teams must be strong up the middle. That’s the challenge for this AU team.

“Up the middle, we just have to take care of that,” emphasized Schaly. “You build good defense being strong up the middle.”

Josh Gaub was a three-year starter at catcher and a former GLIAC player of the year award recipient. He was sound offensively and defensively. The Eagles will look to fill his shoes with junior Ray Frisbee and sophomore Matt Grewe. Frisbee’s been in the program longer and shown some pop at the plate, he hit .333 in 18 games last season.

In addition to the two holdovers, the coaching staff will also pay close attention to the work of freshman Chase Beatty.

“We feel we have three solid catchers,” said Schaly. “What they need is more playing time, more experience. We have confidence in them, they just need to play.”

At first base, AU returns one of the conference’s top freshmen in Ron Oneson. The 6-5 sophomore hit .350 with a pair of homers and 46 RBI last year. An All-GLIAC honorable mention selection, Oneson will be a fixture in the middle of the lineup.

“He had a great freshman year,” Schaly noted. “He’s been working on getting stronger and working on his defense.”

Several other players could log time at this corner spot. Davidson hit .397 in 73 plate appearances and could show up here. So could sophomore Casey Jirsa, although he’s probably ticketed for the other side of the infield. Freshman Nick Kasper will attempt to work his way into the picture.

Second base belonged to the steady Mark Kahlenberg last season. This year, senior Adam Wilson is the starter. Wilson is a good all-around athlete, he’s played second base and the outfield and he brings speed to the lineup. He was 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts last season while playing in 38 games.

“He’s played a lot the last two years,” Schaly said. “He runs well and hits for power. Adam has good hands, he has all the tools. He gets down the line as quick as anybody.”

Freshman Chris Haycox and Zach Spicer are listed behind Wilson. The early part of the season will determine who moves up on the depth chart.

Schaly has to sort out the situation at shortstop. Barry has played the position before and has shown vast improvement at the plate. Cole could win the position with a fast getaway in Florida. Another option might be Jirsa, who could make the move to short from third base. That worked fine with Eric McDaniel last season. Jirsa was second on the club in homers (9) last season and drove in 42 runs. He also belted nine doubles and two triples.

“We have to play good defense,” said Schaly of the position. “If they’re all fairly even defensively, we’ll go with offense. But we have to be strong defensively. Barry hit well in the fall and Jirsa played shortstop in high school and summer leagues. He has a real strong arm. Cole was recruited to play shortstop.”

If Jirsa isn’t the third baseman, Davidson could be a major factor there. But the Eagles will still need another player on the days he pitches. Kasper could fit the bill.

“He has a lot of ability, he’s going to be a good player,” predicted Schaly. “He’s a big, strong kid.”

Outfield
In football, secondaries talk about “Cover 2,” “Cover 3,” and “Man.”

Man for man, the Eagles can cover all the gaps and take away the hitting zones. Schaly believes that defensively, this may be one of the fastest outfields he’s put together in his AU tenure.

Reeder is expected to see time in left field.

“He’s an all-around athlete,” pointed out Schaly. “He’s big, but he runs well. He has some pop and will give us some power. He signed out of high school to play football at Saginaw Valley as a wide receiver. That gives you an idea about what kind of athlete he is.”

Junior David Waters has spent the last two years playing the corner spots in the outfield and this year, will the move to center field. There’s no question about the lefthanded hitting Waters’ ability at the plate, he hit .331 last season and .336 as a freshman.

“He can go get the ball,” said Schaly. “He gets a good jump on the ball.”

Current plans call for senior Allen Ayers to be the starter in right field. Ayers runs extremely well – he was 28-for-29 on the basepaths last season. He also blossomed as a consistent threat at the plate, hitting .387. That was third on last year’s team and he owns the best batting average of any returnee.

“He always had the ability and now he’s proven what he can do,” Schaly said.

The AU coach says that Reeder and Ayers could also thrive as center fielders. The AU coach also has plans for freshmen Tyson Rowland, Jesse Michel and Aaron Korbar. All three are fine with the glove and they throw well. It will be interesting to map their progress as hitters and that could determine how much playing time they receive.