Bowling Green State University Athletics
BG Baseball Opens 2000 Campaign At Dayton Feb. 26-27
February 14, 2000 | Baseball
Feb. 14, 2000
UPCOMING GAMES ...
The Bowling Green State University baseball team, selected second in the East Division of the 2000 Mid-American Conference Coaches Preseason Poll, will kick off its 2000 campaign the weekend of Feb. 26-27 with three games at the University of Dayton. The Falcons face the Flyers in doubleheader action on Saturday, Feb. 26. The following day, Bowling Green and Dayton will play one game. First pitch both days is slated for 1 p.m.
THE COACH ...
Falcon mentor Danny Schmitz moved into second place on BG's all-time baseball coaching list with the Falcons 7-3 triumph over Ohio University on April 25 last season. He surpassed the legendary Warren E. Steller, who compiled 221 victories in 31 years (1925, '28-34, '36, '38-59) with a .589 winning percentage (221-154-0).
Schmitz has led the Falcons to back-to-back NCAA appearances. BG's trip to the NCAA's in 1998 was its first since 1972.
Prior to being named to his current position in August, 1990, he served three seasons (1988-90) as an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan following three years as the manager of Visalia (1985-87) in the Class A California League. Schmitz also spent eight years playing in the minor leagues including the last seven in AAA.
2000 OUTLOOK ...
The Bowling Green State University baseball team, coming off back-to-back Mid-American Conference East Division titles, MAC Tournament championships and NCAA Tournament appearances, will have to meet the challenge both physically and mentally on a day in - day out basis in 2000, according to head coach Danny Schmitz.
Entering his 10th year as Falcon head coach, Schmitz currently ranks second on the school's all-time baseball win list. He believes the 2000 season will be a tremendous challenge due to the non-conference schedule that includes three teams that participated in the 1999 NCAA tournament (Creighton, Michigan and Notre Dame) as well as the always powerful Fresno State, Missouri and West Virginia squads.
"Our schedule is going to be a tremendous challenge and we will have to be ready to go everyday," said Schmitz. "This is the type of schedule we want to play. The Mid-American Conference is an excellent baseball conference and you have to play a tough non-conference schedule to get yourself ready for conference play."
The Falcons lost only four players from the 1999 season but it will be a challenge to replace the No. 1 and 2 starters in the rotation (Jason Kelley and Chris Vaught) as well as the No. 3 and 4 hitters (Matt Mlynarek and Bob Niemet) in the batting lineup.
Kelley (12-4, 3.42), a second-team All-Mideast selection last year, set single-season school records in 1999 for wins, innings (115.2) and complete games (12), while Vaught's (5-6, 4.67) total of 88.2 innings last year is fifth all-time on the Falcon charts.
Niemet (.400, 44 RBI, 20 SB), a second-team All-Mideast honoree, broke the school record for runs (50), hits (80) and total bases (119) in one season, with Mlynarek (.326, 4 HR) playing in all but one game last year primarily in center field.
The 1999 Falcons eclipsed several school single-season marks including games (60), wins (tied-36), at bats (1922), runs (414), hits (630), doubles (120), total bases (881) and batting average (.328).
Pitching and defense will be the main keys to being successful in 2000 according to Schmitz.
Defensively this season, Bowling Green will be strong up the middle with two senior catchers behind the plate. Tri-captains Matt Marcum (.393) and Brad Simon (.295) were used in a platoon basis last year and both are highly regarded by the coaching staff. Marcum had a .991 fielding percentage, while Simon made one error in 153 chances.
Sophomore Tim Newell (.143) has really made progress and will be battling for time behind the plate but also could be used in the outfield to get his bat in the lineup.
Freshman Justin Haire (Hamilton, OH/Badin) comes to BGSU from the same high school as Marcum. Schmitz added that Haire had a real nice fall and could be an outstanding catcher for the Falcons.
Sophomore Sean Ryan (.323, 4 HR, 41 RBI) has moved from third base to his natural first base position with the graduation of Niemet. "Sean had an outstanding freshman year and is a clutch guy," said Schmitz. "Sean has tremendous offensive skills and is working hard on his defensive play."
Challenging for playing time at first base will be junior Chad Curlis (.167) and freshman Kelly Hunt (Toledo, OH/Central Catholic).
The coaching staff is hoping that Curlis will reach the potential they thought he had coming out of high school. "It takes some people longer to adjust to the college game," added Schmitz. "It's time for Chad to step it up a be a factor for our team." Hunt was a catcher in high school but has been moved to first base to take advantage of his 6-5 frame. He has the potential to swing the bat but needs to work hard on the defensive end.
In the middle of the diamond, BG returns senior second baseman Kenny Burdine (.279, 13 2B) and sophomore shortstop Nick Elrod (.292, 5 HR, 35 BB). Schmitz feels they did tremendous job last season in the first year of Division I baseball for both.
Senior second baseman/designated hitter Alan Gilhousen (.296) has one of the best strokes on the team according to Schmitz. Sophomore Nick Schmidt (.400) will be used primarily as a utility infielder and could see playing time at second, short or third. He is solid defensively and also has the potential to be a good hitter.
Freshman Corey Loomis (Pemberville, OH/Eastwood), a 38th round selection of the Detroit Tigers, is a highly-touted recruit who could see playing time in the middle at either second or short, and he may also battle Scott Dukate (.333) for playing time at third base.
Coach Schmitz feels very good about the outfield with five letterwinners returning including senior Matt Best (.305). Best is a very versatile player who may also see time at third base. Junior Aric Christman (.331) was voted the team's Most Improved Player as well as Best Defensive Player for 1999. "Aric had a solid year all the way around offensively and defensively. We expect him to be the leadoff hitter on a full-time basis," said Schmitz.
Christman will battle redshirt sophomore Shaun Rice (.349, .674 slugging pct.) for playing time in centerfield. Last year was Rice's first full year with the baseball squad after playing football as a freshman.
Junior Lee Morrison (.347) needs to set his sights on hitting in the No. 3-5 slot. "He has grown up a lot and needs to be a leader. Lee needs to be one of our more aggressive players," said Schmitz.
Sophomore Len Elias (.381, 7 HR, 42 RBI) was a second-team All-MAC selection in 1999 as well as earning honorable mention Freshmen All-America honors by Collegiate Baseball. "Len had a tremendous year as a freshman. He works very hard and has one of the nicest batting strokes around," added Schmitz. "He had a big year last year, but we need a bigger year from him this year. He could bat anywhere from the No. 2-5 slot.
There will be big holes to fill on the Bowling Green mound crew as graduated seniors Jason Kelley and Chris Vaught combined for over 200 innings last year.
Schmitz is looking for someone to be the "Set the Tone guy" in 2000. Starting rotation candidates include senior tri-captain Joe Cheney (6-6, 4.64) and classmate Mike Muzi (3-3, 5 saves, 5.32). Cheney led his summer team to the second half championship, while Muzi, who has been used strictly out of the bullpen since arriving in BG, will get a look as a starter.
Junior Tony Fontana (4-2, 3.30) was off to a good start last year before a tired arm slowed him down at the end of the season.
Sophomore Doug Flere (3-0, 2.95) had all three wins on the road last season (Cleveland State, Akron, and Ball State). His victory in Muncie came during the MAC tournament against the 25th-ranked Cardinals.
Junior Craig Menke (0-0, 6.75) had a very fine summer for Celina and was named to the all-star team.
Senior Ryan Streb (1-1, 6.83) will be a big key in the Falcon bullpen if he can throw this year like he did as a sophomore. "Ryan was a little inconsistent last year but has worked very hard and had a real good fall. He should be the first guy out of the bullpen," stated Schmitz.
Junior Brian Thacker (0-0, 9.82) along with sophomores Brad Henry (0-0, 12.46), Kevin Stock (1-2, 10.54) and Keith Williams (0-0, 9.00) will need to step up their games and give quality innings no matter what the role. "It is time they become men and handle whatever the role. They all have the potential to be good pitchers at this level," said Schmitz.
Redshirt sophomore Chad Kingery did not pitch in 1999 due to an arm injury, but he could be a major factor as a setup guy. He is healthy and is the type of guy that wants the ball.
Freshman Brett Baumgartner (Toledo, OH/Sylvania Southview) received a 4.00 grade-point average for the 1999 fall semester and has the makings of being a starter at some point in time. He is slated to start the season out of the bullpen.
Newcomer Aaron Nease (Bellefontaine, OH/Benjamin Logan) had a very good fall and could see time as a left-handed closer or middle guy.
Rookie Deryck Griffith (Mississauga, ONT/John Fraser) has a great pitchers build with a loose arm and good work habits. "We look for Deryck to be a starter at some point and time during his career," added Schmitz.
Another key to the success of the 2000 Falcons will be getting through the adjustment phase as quickly as possible with the arrival of a new assistant coach. Tod Brown, a 1994 graduate of the University of Arizona, started at Bowling Green in early January. He replaced Mark Nell who resigned, in August after nine years with the Falcons, to enter the teaching profession.
"Tod is going to bring a lot of new enthusiasm. He is a very outgoing person who loves the game of baseball and has outstanding knowledge. It will be very important for the players to get to know Tod and for the coaching staff to get to know one another," added Schmitz. "We also need Tod to get to know the players, especially the pitchers, as soon as possible."
After a three-game series at Dayton on Feb. 26-27 to open the 2000 campaign, the Falcons will then travel to Fresno, California during spring break to participate in the Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic.
The Falcons will play a game on six consecutive days (Mar. 6-11) culminating with championship day on Saturday, Mar. 11. "It is a tremendous tournament with a tremendous facility. They do everything first class and we are looking forward to going back there," stated Schmitz.
After playing its first 19 games against outside competition, the Falcons will open the Mid-American Conference portion of its schedule with a home doubleheader against Toledo on Saturday, April 1.
"We expect the conference to be every bit as good this year as it has been throughout the last decade.
"Last year we may have snuck up on a few people because we were so young after losing nine players from the 1998 campaign," added Schmitz.
"There is no way we are going to sneak up on anybody this year. We have a tremendous challenge ahead of us. We are going to have to be ready not only physically but more importantly mentally each time we take the field because people are going to be ready for us.
"It is a concern of the team, and we need to make sure we meet that challenge," said Schmitz.
"Leadership is a must. It starts with the coaching staff but must be taken over by the players," stated Schmitz. "Having a will to win - a hatred for losing - and a desire to be the best we can be."
