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Optimism Runs High For 2007 Red Hawks
The Ripon baseball program has had some great seasons in years past, but none greater than last year, which saw the Red Hawks win a school and conference record 34 games. They were also able to run the table in the Midwest Conference, winning all 16 games they played in the league. The Red Hawks rode that success all the way to the regional finals, where they bowed out 6-4 to UW-Stevens Point.
"We were only nine outs away from going to the Division III World Series. On one hand you're so proud of what the kids accomplished, but on the other hand you wonder if you'll ever get that close again," head coach Bob Gillespie said.
The greatest season in the history of the Ripon baseball program could be attributed to having a great group of veteran leaders on the team. Many of those players will not be back this year. The entire heart of the lineup was lost, as their number two, three, and four hitters were all lost to graduation, including their top home run hitters (Eric Schwendiman and Tyler Haddock) and base stealer (Andy Monigal). The Red Hawks will also be without their number one pitcher from a year ago.
As is the case with many great programs, the Red Hawks don't plan on rebuilding. They'll just reload. Many players will be expected to step up and fill any holes that last year's seniors may have left.
"We have some terrific seniors this season that are going to be finishing out their career and we certainly have the nucleus to have a really good team again this year," Gillespie said.
John Dunlavy (Clintonville, Wis./Clintonville) is one player who will be expected to take his game to the next level this season. Dunleavey missed all of last season due to a broken leg, but will be looked at to replace Schwendiman behind the plate.
"It wouldn't surprise me if Dunleavey is our best hitter this season. He's a great competitor and it's reassuring to know that we'll have great replacements for the players who've left," Gillespie said.
The heart and soul of the Red Hawk defense will once again be up the middle, as Kyle McFarland (Watertown, Wis./Watertown) and Chad Olson (Brown Deer, Wis./Brown Deer) both return for their senior seasons. McFarland and Olson are each coming off a season that saw them hit over .300 at the plate. McFarland finished second on the team, batting .348, while Olson was sixth with a .309 average. As good as they are at the plate, they are even better in the field.
"We have the best defensive infield in Division III college baseball, which is led by Kyle and Chad. They are the core of the defense up the middle, and are both All-American type players," said Gillespie. "The double plays that they turn sometimes make me shake my head in disbelief. They're magicians with the glove."
The right corner of the infield will have a familiar face to Red Hawk fans. Bo Johnson (Wausau, Wis./East) returns at first base for his senior season after ending last season on a positive note. Johnson was named to the All-Region team for his play in the postseason last year.
"Johnson contributes to our great defensive play. I don't think we threw a ball over his head at all last year. He makes the spectacular play look routine," Gillespie said.
The other corner of the infield will see Mac Shumann (Menasha, Wis./Menasha) move from the outfield to the infield, as he'll replace Haddock at third base. Shumann battled injuries late last season, but was still able to drive in 17 runs in 28 games.
"There won't be much, if any drop off in our defense this year and we should be alright offensively as well, said Gillespie. "We don't have a tremendous amount of power, but we have five or six kids that can hit over .300 and they've had the experience and success where I think we'll score enough runs."
The Outfield will have two new starters with the only mainstay being senior rightfielder Chevy Schultz (Wausau, Wis./East). Schultz has started all three years he's been at Ripon and is a dependable player in the field, as well as at the plate.
"Chevy has led the team in on-base percentage the past couple seasons and he'll be one of the top five hitters in our lineup," said Gillespie. "In the field, Chevy has a great throwing arm, which leads to alot of assists."
The other two outfield positions are up for grabs and will be battled for before the first game of the season. Matt Dwyer (Stoughton, Wis./Stoughton) and Brandon Birschbach (Fond du Lac, Wis./St. Mary's Springs) will each have a shot at playing centerfield as Monigal's replacement, while Dan Sturgill (Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield Central) and Sky Druba (Mauston, Wis./Mauston) will compete for time in leftfield.
"Birschbach got some at-bats last year and is the fastest player on this year's team. He may also be our best base runner," said Gillespie. "The leading candidate in leftfield is Sturgill, but Druba will also see some time in the outfield."
The bread and butter of last year's team was the pitching staff. That shouldn't be much different this season, despite losing their ace. Jordan Baitinger (Fremont, Wis./Weyauwega-Fremont) and Greg Basthemer (New Berlin, Wis./Brookfield Central) will be the 1-2 punch of this season's team. Baitinger won as many games as any pitcher in the region last year, finishing the year 8-1 with a 1.77 ERA, while Basthemer won all five of his decisions.
"Those two will be the workhorses of our pitching staff," said Gillespie. "Baitinger did not pitch a bad game for us all last season and will be looked at to step into the role of the ace on this year's pitching staff. Basthemer throws about 85 mph and has a very good slider. I think he can be a big winner this season as well."
The rest of the staff and the relievers will be expected to contribute as well. Bill Nolan is coming off an injury, but the Red Hawks are hoping that he can get on the field and throw plenty of innings.
"Nolan has a very good arm, but his status is unkown at this time and we're remaining optimistic that he will be a contributer to our staff," said Gillespie.
Those three experienced pitchers will be joined by a couple with a lot of talent, but little experience. Sophomores Mike Lloyd (Oshkosh, Wis./North) and Wes Kraemer (Neshkoro, Wis./Pioneer Westfield)
will be given the opportunity to make a differnce on the mound and each player has shown a lot of promise up to this point.
"Lloyd was a high school player of the year and has very good control. He may be the next great ace of our pitching staff, but he'll have to work hard in order to take that step," said Gillespie. "Wes Kramer is another pitcher that looks like he's really improved this year and has worked hard to get to this point where he's ready to compete for a spot in the starting rotation this season."
The Red Hawks also have a couple first year players that may see some action. Freshmen Bryant Bullock (Milwaukee, Wis./Marquette), Nick Whitty (Eden, Wis./Campellsport), and Dwyer are all expected to gain some experience.
"One of our freshmen has to contribute, and it would be nice if we could get at least two to make a contribution," said Gillespie. "Dwyer throws 83 mph with a nice curveball and could be a winner as a freshman, while Witte is a very versatile player that can play pretty much any position, including pitcher and could also serve as our Designated Hitter.
Even though there may be alot of player movement year in and year out, the one thing that stays constant for the Red Hawks is their goals, which remain the same each season.
"Our goals are the same every year, which is to go to the World Series and compete for a National Championship," said Gillespie. In order to do that however, we must first meet our initial goals of hosting the Midwest Conference Tournament and winning the conference title."
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