Wilson Finds a Home in Baseball Leadoff Spot
April 1, 2005

By Dan Mackall, AU Sports Information

Ashland University’s Adam Wilson (New Philadelphia, OH) is adept around second base and taking advantage of second chances.

Wilson’s junior baseball season (2004) started off like it was supposed to, but ended with some disappointment. Wilson was the starting second baseman, but stumbled and lost his starting job. His .269 batting average was not enough to secure his starting spot on a team that’s known for productive hitting.

“I wasn’t playing that well in the first half of the year,” Wilson said.

This year, the senior is not only playing well, he’s leading the team or is tied for the lead in several offensive categories including at bats (81), hits (29), doubles (6), triples (5), home runs (2) and total bases (51).

Wilson is doing all of this from a new spot in the order - leadoff.

“At first I wasn’t too sure about batting leadoff because I had never been a leadoff hitter,” Wilson said with a smile. “At first it was kind of rough, but it’s coming naturally now.”

“He’s having a real good year,” added AU head coach John Schaly. “He’s got great speed and power, he leads us in extra base hits. He’s that rare combination of speed and power.”

It’s important for a leadoff hitter to have speed and Wilson is 11-for-12 in steal attempts. He has the green light to go about 95 percent of the time. The leadoff hitter also sets the table for the other hitters. It’s his job to take pitches so his teammates can see what kind of “stuff” the opposing pitcher has.

“I like to see the pitcher pitch,” Wilson said. “I want to make sure I take pitches so the other batters can get a look, but at the same time I want to hit my pitch.”

He has been hitting his pitch quite well, batting .358, fifth on the team. His ability to get on base and put himself in position to be knocked in by other batters is a huge plus for this young team. Wilson is one of only three seniors on the team and the only one to be at AU for four years. The Eagles are off to a 16-5 start and have been regionally and nationally ranked all season.

“It feels good to be a leader of this team,” said Wilson, a team captain. “It is a lot like high school where I was the captain. I feel confident leading my team.”

Wilson’s versatility is also a huge bonus. In the past he’s played center field and left field as well as his normal second baseman spot.

“I don’t mind (playing outfield),” Wilson said with a shrug. “I’d rather play infield though because it is where I have played my entire life.”

“He’s a great athlete,” emphasized Schaly. “He gets down the line as well as anyone I’ve coached. If he hits it to the left side of the infield, they had better hurry up and throw it because they aren’t going to get him. Defensively he’s been fine. He’s worked hard.”

When asked whether he felt his speed was being wasted in the infield, Wilson quickly denied the claim.

“There is a lot of ground to cover at second base,” Wilson said. “You have to cover your position and also be able to get to the bag if someone is stealing.”

Wilson and the rest of the Eagles are seeking a seventh straight bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs. While this year’s team has some major holes to fill from last season, the early season has demonstrated that the Eagles aren’t lacking in talent. AU has a team batting average of .325 and six players are hitting .350 or better. AU’s team ERA is 2.65 and two newcomers, Lek Cole (San Rafael, CA/College of the Canyons) and Ryan Petrich (Barbeton, OH/Coventry), are off to 3-0 starts. Sophomore Josh Davidson (Lexington, OH) the 2004 GLIAC freshman of the year, is 2-2 with a 0.96 ERA.

“Playing for Ashland is a huge responsibility,” Wilson said. “Everyone we play circles our name on the schedule. We have to always be on top of our game because other teams are always going to throw their best pitcher against us and play their hardest against us.”

Life, at times, has been hard for Wilson, but it appears as if he’s blossoming into a fulltime, all-around leader for the 2005 Eagles.

“He’s had some frustrating times, he started at times during his sophomore and junior years,” recalled Schaly. “But he’s bounced back and he’s one of our captains.”