Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
2016 Baseball Season Preview
2/17/2016 2:54:00 PM | Baseball
The Eagles open the season this Friday in Emerson, Ga.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - In Head Coach Mark Van Ameyde's first season at the helm for the Eastern Michigan University baseball team, the results on the field might have not been up to expectation, however there remains plenty of optimism surrounding this young program heading into year two for the coaching staff in 2016. With the season set to get underway on Friday here is a look at what the EMU baseball squad is bringing to the field.
SENIORS
Through the general youth and mix of fresh faces gracing the roster in 2016 for EMU (16 newcomers, including 11 'true' freshman) there remains a steady core of veterans on the team. A total of seven seniors are poised to lead the team this season, and that includes five four-year players. The senior class is comprised of outfielder Jordan Peterson (Gilbert, Ariz.-Highland (Chandler-Gilbert C.C.)), left-handed pitcher Michael Marsinek (Streetsboro, Ohio-Streetsboro), catcher Tony DiLeo (Rockford, Mich.-Rockford), infielder Mitchell McGeein (Calgary, Alberta-Vauxhall), outfielder Austin Wilson (Valrico, Fla.-Bloomingdale Sr.), right-handed pitcher Augie Gallardo (Hemet, Calif.-Hemet (Mt. San Jacinto College)), and outfielder Jackson Martin (Listowel, Ontario-Listowel).
COACHING STAFF
Coach Van Ameyde enters his second season as head coach after completing a 20-35 record in his first season. This included a winning 10-9 record at the friendly confines of Oestrike Stadium. In his second campaign, he returns nearly his entire coaching staff, including his two full-time assistants Eric Roof and Spencer Schmitz. This season, Coach Roof will work primarily with the catchers and hitters, while assisting with the outfielders. Meanwhile, Coach Schmitz will have command of the infielders and hitters as well. Joining the staff in 2016 is volunteer assistant coach Mike Frank. Coach Frank joins the EMU family after completing his student-athlete career at Bowling Green State University as a highly successful pitcher. After a season with Rochester College as the pitching coach, Coach Frank will work alongside Coach Van Ameyde with the pitching staff for Eastern.
PITCHING
Perhaps the biggest task for the EMU team this season is replacing the majority of the pitching staff from 2015, including all three weekend starters. Charlie Land, Jake Andrews, and Ryan Lavoie, last season's weekend rotation, have all graduated, meaning three new faces will be seen on the rubber for the weekend games. A mix of newcomers and returning veterans will be tasked with this responsibility, starting with this Friday's starter, junior right-handed pitcher Sam Delaplane (San Jose, Calif-Leigh), who makes the move to the starting role after being an accomplished closer his sophomore season. Delaplane was sixth in the conference with seven saves, while also finishing second on the team with 48 strikeouts in only 40 innings of work. A mix of five other pitchers will look to log significant innings making starts for the Eagles this season. These include returning players like senior righty Gallardo, who made five starts in 2015, and sophomores RHP Brent Mattson (Canton, Mich.-Canton) and LHP Kyle Huckaby (Chandler, Ariz.-Perry), who made five and six starts respectively for EMU in 2015. A pair of newcomers who could see time in the rotation are freshman righty Davis Feldman (Warren, Mich.-Brother Rice) and lefty Tyler Butzin (Dearborn, Mich.-John F. Kennedy), both of whom had productive fall campaigns.
Looking at the bullpen, the two workhorses in the late innings will be the veteran duo of junior RHP Matthew Beaton (Guelph, Ontario-Bishop Macdonnell), and senior lefty Marsinek, who will both look to see a majority of the time in the setup and closers role. Beaton is coming off his best season in the Green and White, finishing with a 1.91 ERA in 33 innings of work, including two saves. Two other names to look for to log plenty of crucial innings is a duo of newcomers junior righty's Kevin Shul (Albuquerque, N.M.-Albuquerque Academy (College of Southern Nevada)), and Josh Bravin (Las Vegas, Nev.-Silverado (Palomar College)).
CATCHERS
Receiving the pitches from these hurlers this season will mainly be a pair of veteran backstops for the Eagles. Senior Tony DiLeo is the incumbent at the position after making 40 starts a season ago. He is coming off his best season defensively, leading the MAC in thrown-out would-be base stealers with 33. Splitting time behind the plate with DiLeo this season will be junior college transfer Jeremy Stidham (Colorado Springs, Colo.-Sand Creek (Colby C.C.)), who comes to EMU off of a second team all-conference season at Colby C.C.
INFIELDERS
The Eagles see a majority of their infield return to the lineup in 2016. The only loss comes at second base where reigning All-MAC Second Team honoree John Rubino has graduated. Eastern will have an easier time than some replacing the dynamic player though, as returning to the lineup will be redshirt junior shortstop Marquise Gill (Paw Paw, Mich.-Paw Paw), who is looking to make an impact in 2016 after missing almost all of 2015 with an injury. With Gill back in the lineup, last season's primary starter at shortstop sophomore David Lett (Farmington Hills, Mich.-North Farmington), will slide over to second base. Lett appeared in 50 games for EMU in 2015, starting 49 of them. He collected 33 hits and drove in 15 runs.
Manning the corners will be a pair of sluggers in junior John Montgomery (Anaheim Hills, Calif.-JSerra) and senior Mitchell McGeein at first base and third base, respectively. Both McGeein and Montgomery finished one-two on the team in homeruns, and slugging percentage in 2015. McGeein's 10 dingers ranked him second in the MAC, while his .515 slugging was fourth, after starting in all 55 games for Eastern. He also led the Green and White in doubles, RBI and walks. Meanwhile Montgomery was second on the team with a .297 batting average, while driving in 20 runs.
Providing depth at the corners, will be a pair of returners, who are also the top candidates to slot in at the designated hitter spot. Sophomore Brennan Williams (Commerce Township, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern) has experience at first base, playing in 42 games his freshman season, collecting 30 hits. Meanwhile, the veteran Jackson Martin could see time at the hot corner after seeing action in 34 games a season ago in which he got on base at a .366 clip.
A fresh face to look for in a super utility role for EMU will be freshman Max Schuemann (Portage, Mich.-Portage Northern), who impressed in fall ball and will be poised for a potential breakout freshman campaign. The rookie can play almost any position, but will see most of his time in the middle infield.
OUTFIELD
The outfield is the most experienced group for the Eagles in 2016, returning all of its primary starters from a season ago. Starting from left to right will be redshirt junior Michael Mioduszewski (Dexter, Mich.-Dexter), senior Austin Wilson, and senior Jordan Peterson. Peterson started in all 55 games for EMU, while Mioduszewski started 51 and Wilson started 43. Peterson led the Eagles in fielding percentage, while ranking second in stolen bases (18) and third in batting average (.292). Mioduszewski finished with 51 hits, while driving 29 runs, good for second on the team. Wilson ended the season with seven steals, which was third on the team, while also recording seven assists, good for the most by any primary outfielder on the team last season.
Providing the depth in the outfield besides Martin and Williams will be sophomore Luke DeVenney (Des Moines, Iowa-Dowling Catholic). In his first season for the Eagles, DeVenney saw action in 26 games, including eight starts.
The 2016 season gets underway this Friday, Feb.19, with a game against the University of Nebraska-Omaha in Emerson, Ga. First pitch is set for noon at the Perfect Game Park. EMU plays a 54-game slate in 2016, including 15 games at Oestrike Stadium. The home opener for the Green and White is set for Friday, March. 25. It will also serve as the MAC opener for the Eagles, as they will square off against Bowling Green at 6 p.m.
SENIORS
Through the general youth and mix of fresh faces gracing the roster in 2016 for EMU (16 newcomers, including 11 'true' freshman) there remains a steady core of veterans on the team. A total of seven seniors are poised to lead the team this season, and that includes five four-year players. The senior class is comprised of outfielder Jordan Peterson (Gilbert, Ariz.-Highland (Chandler-Gilbert C.C.)), left-handed pitcher Michael Marsinek (Streetsboro, Ohio-Streetsboro), catcher Tony DiLeo (Rockford, Mich.-Rockford), infielder Mitchell McGeein (Calgary, Alberta-Vauxhall), outfielder Austin Wilson (Valrico, Fla.-Bloomingdale Sr.), right-handed pitcher Augie Gallardo (Hemet, Calif.-Hemet (Mt. San Jacinto College)), and outfielder Jackson Martin (Listowel, Ontario-Listowel).
COACHING STAFF
Coach Van Ameyde enters his second season as head coach after completing a 20-35 record in his first season. This included a winning 10-9 record at the friendly confines of Oestrike Stadium. In his second campaign, he returns nearly his entire coaching staff, including his two full-time assistants Eric Roof and Spencer Schmitz. This season, Coach Roof will work primarily with the catchers and hitters, while assisting with the outfielders. Meanwhile, Coach Schmitz will have command of the infielders and hitters as well. Joining the staff in 2016 is volunteer assistant coach Mike Frank. Coach Frank joins the EMU family after completing his student-athlete career at Bowling Green State University as a highly successful pitcher. After a season with Rochester College as the pitching coach, Coach Frank will work alongside Coach Van Ameyde with the pitching staff for Eastern.
PITCHING
Perhaps the biggest task for the EMU team this season is replacing the majority of the pitching staff from 2015, including all three weekend starters. Charlie Land, Jake Andrews, and Ryan Lavoie, last season's weekend rotation, have all graduated, meaning three new faces will be seen on the rubber for the weekend games. A mix of newcomers and returning veterans will be tasked with this responsibility, starting with this Friday's starter, junior right-handed pitcher Sam Delaplane (San Jose, Calif-Leigh), who makes the move to the starting role after being an accomplished closer his sophomore season. Delaplane was sixth in the conference with seven saves, while also finishing second on the team with 48 strikeouts in only 40 innings of work. A mix of five other pitchers will look to log significant innings making starts for the Eagles this season. These include returning players like senior righty Gallardo, who made five starts in 2015, and sophomores RHP Brent Mattson (Canton, Mich.-Canton) and LHP Kyle Huckaby (Chandler, Ariz.-Perry), who made five and six starts respectively for EMU in 2015. A pair of newcomers who could see time in the rotation are freshman righty Davis Feldman (Warren, Mich.-Brother Rice) and lefty Tyler Butzin (Dearborn, Mich.-John F. Kennedy), both of whom had productive fall campaigns.
Looking at the bullpen, the two workhorses in the late innings will be the veteran duo of junior RHP Matthew Beaton (Guelph, Ontario-Bishop Macdonnell), and senior lefty Marsinek, who will both look to see a majority of the time in the setup and closers role. Beaton is coming off his best season in the Green and White, finishing with a 1.91 ERA in 33 innings of work, including two saves. Two other names to look for to log plenty of crucial innings is a duo of newcomers junior righty's Kevin Shul (Albuquerque, N.M.-Albuquerque Academy (College of Southern Nevada)), and Josh Bravin (Las Vegas, Nev.-Silverado (Palomar College)).
CATCHERS
Receiving the pitches from these hurlers this season will mainly be a pair of veteran backstops for the Eagles. Senior Tony DiLeo is the incumbent at the position after making 40 starts a season ago. He is coming off his best season defensively, leading the MAC in thrown-out would-be base stealers with 33. Splitting time behind the plate with DiLeo this season will be junior college transfer Jeremy Stidham (Colorado Springs, Colo.-Sand Creek (Colby C.C.)), who comes to EMU off of a second team all-conference season at Colby C.C.
INFIELDERS
The Eagles see a majority of their infield return to the lineup in 2016. The only loss comes at second base where reigning All-MAC Second Team honoree John Rubino has graduated. Eastern will have an easier time than some replacing the dynamic player though, as returning to the lineup will be redshirt junior shortstop Marquise Gill (Paw Paw, Mich.-Paw Paw), who is looking to make an impact in 2016 after missing almost all of 2015 with an injury. With Gill back in the lineup, last season's primary starter at shortstop sophomore David Lett (Farmington Hills, Mich.-North Farmington), will slide over to second base. Lett appeared in 50 games for EMU in 2015, starting 49 of them. He collected 33 hits and drove in 15 runs.
Manning the corners will be a pair of sluggers in junior John Montgomery (Anaheim Hills, Calif.-JSerra) and senior Mitchell McGeein at first base and third base, respectively. Both McGeein and Montgomery finished one-two on the team in homeruns, and slugging percentage in 2015. McGeein's 10 dingers ranked him second in the MAC, while his .515 slugging was fourth, after starting in all 55 games for Eastern. He also led the Green and White in doubles, RBI and walks. Meanwhile Montgomery was second on the team with a .297 batting average, while driving in 20 runs.
Providing depth at the corners, will be a pair of returners, who are also the top candidates to slot in at the designated hitter spot. Sophomore Brennan Williams (Commerce Township, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern) has experience at first base, playing in 42 games his freshman season, collecting 30 hits. Meanwhile, the veteran Jackson Martin could see time at the hot corner after seeing action in 34 games a season ago in which he got on base at a .366 clip.
A fresh face to look for in a super utility role for EMU will be freshman Max Schuemann (Portage, Mich.-Portage Northern), who impressed in fall ball and will be poised for a potential breakout freshman campaign. The rookie can play almost any position, but will see most of his time in the middle infield.
OUTFIELD
The outfield is the most experienced group for the Eagles in 2016, returning all of its primary starters from a season ago. Starting from left to right will be redshirt junior Michael Mioduszewski (Dexter, Mich.-Dexter), senior Austin Wilson, and senior Jordan Peterson. Peterson started in all 55 games for EMU, while Mioduszewski started 51 and Wilson started 43. Peterson led the Eagles in fielding percentage, while ranking second in stolen bases (18) and third in batting average (.292). Mioduszewski finished with 51 hits, while driving 29 runs, good for second on the team. Wilson ended the season with seven steals, which was third on the team, while also recording seven assists, good for the most by any primary outfielder on the team last season.
Providing the depth in the outfield besides Martin and Williams will be sophomore Luke DeVenney (Des Moines, Iowa-Dowling Catholic). In his first season for the Eagles, DeVenney saw action in 26 games, including eight starts.
The 2016 season gets underway this Friday, Feb.19, with a game against the University of Nebraska-Omaha in Emerson, Ga. First pitch is set for noon at the Perfect Game Park. EMU plays a 54-game slate in 2016, including 15 games at Oestrike Stadium. The home opener for the Green and White is set for Friday, March. 25. It will also serve as the MAC opener for the Eagles, as they will square off against Bowling Green at 6 p.m.
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