March 10th, 2003: Baseball Review

---

Ryan Born

---

Adam Abraham

After losing nine seniors, who helped the Tigers break the school record for team batting average (.351) and compile a 10-2 mark in the always-tough NCAC West Division in 2002, the Tigers are poised and ready once again.

Despite the departure of four first-team All-NCAC players, the cupboard is anything but bare. The record-setting offensive machine of 2002 still has many weapons, led by senior first baseman Ryan Born (Marion, Ohio/Pleasant), who batted .386 and led the Tigers in runs batted in a year ago. Talented junior outfielders Kyle Wolf (Hamilton, Ohio/Middletown Fenwick) and Shawn Jarecki (Brookpark, Ohio/Valley Forge) will also be expected to contribute.

The Tigers also return sophomore third baseman Brandon Godzik (Dayton, Ohio/Vandalia Butler), who hit .341 clip as a freshman, and outfielder Matt Foster (Granville, Ohio/Granville), who batted .333. Sophomore infielder/pitcher Jon Komperda (Bay Village, Ohio/Bay) and freshmen outfielder/pitcher Steve Less (Sheffield, Ohio/Elyria Catholic), middle infielder K.R. Schlievert (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay), first baseman/designated hitter Bret Wiseman (New Richmond, Ohio/New Richmond), and shortstop/pitcher Justin McCulla (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham) are among the competitors for starting positions.

Wittenberg returns an outstanding veteran pitching staff. Leading the way will be seniors Adam Abraham (Granville, Ohio/Granville), who was tied for second on the team in wins a year ago and held opposing batters to a .260 batting average, and Brian Robinson (Columbus, Ohio/Centennial), who held opponents to a .224 average, compiled a 3.74 ERA and led the team in appearances with 16. JuniorsTom Fox (Urbana, Ohio/Urbana), who was first on the staff in strikeouts and was second in appearances, and Kurt Hartfelder (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington), sophomores Ryan Goldschmidt (Ft. Loramie, Ohio/Ft. Loramie), who led the team in wins, innings pitched and complete games in 2002, and Wayne Massie (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh) also return to the staff.

Things get started for the Tigers in Fort Myers, Fla. this week. Wittenberg will play nine games in six days as part of the Gene Cusic Tournament.