The Wittenberg University Tigers take the field in 2001 with an "expect to win" attitude in hopes of battling for a North Coast Athletic Conference title. Despite the loss of four seniors from the 2000 campaign, Wittenberg returns a very strong nucleus of upperclassmen and an excellent blend of young talent. Under the direction of Head Coach Jay Lewis, the Tigers plan to be known for their aggressive play and determination.
The top returners in the outfield are juniors Lance Dill (Bellvile, Ohio/Clear Fork) and Scott Hirsch (Cincinnati, Ohio/Coleran). Dill had a successful 2000 campaign with a. 377 batting average and a .418 on-base percentages. Hirsch, who brings great speed and range to the outfield, will be rebounding from a season-ending injury. Rounding out the outfield is powerful Ryan Peters (London, Ohio/London), a first-team All-NCAC pick who led the team last year with a .403 batting average, nine home runs and 41 RBI. In the infield, the Tigers are led up the middle by the junior tandem of shortstop Bryan Burke (Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick) and second baseman Karl Friedhoff (Sunman, Ind./East Central). The defensive duo helped the Tigers finish 11th in the nation in double plays, averaging 1.05 twin killings a game. Burke hit at a .387 clip last season, which garnered him honorable mention All-NCAC, while Friedhoff had a .298 batting average.
The Tigers have excellent depth behind the plate with the return of juniors Nate Williams (Urbana, Ohio/Urbana) and Jeff Buelow (Oakland, Mich./Rochester) and senior Brad Pochard (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay).
Wittenberg's pitching staff is expected to be a major contributor to this season's success as many talented and experienced pitchers return and are joined by some exciting newcomers. Leading the way on the mound will be senior Jeremy Emch (Toledo, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales) and juniors Brad Cerovac (Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick), Nick Allen (Dayton, Ohio/Vandalia Butler), and Aaron Schmitmeyer (New Breman, Ohio/New Breman).
Proven depth on the pitching staff is supplied by junior Luke Jones (Springfield, Ohio/Northeastern) and sophomores Jay Nunn (Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine), Adam Abraham (Granville, Ohio/Granville), Brian Robinson (Columbus, Ohio/Centennial) and Nick Kiefer (Harrison, Ohio/Harrison). Look for several newcomers to play an immediate role on the Tigers staff, led by freshman Brad Lemon (Springfield, Ohio/Southeastern), Tom Fox (Urbana, Ohio/Urbana) and Kurt Hartfelder (Columbus, Ohio/ Upper Arlington).