Ryan Born led the Tigers in RBI in 2002.
A blend of talented young players and savvy upperclassmen will
pave the way for the Wittenberg University baseball team this
spring. 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 North Coast Athletic Coast West Division
in 2002, the Tigers are poised and ready once again. Under the
direction of Head Coach Jay Lewis (Wittenberg 94),
who has compiled a 130-99-3 record in six years at the helm, the
Tigers will once again be known for their fundamental, aggressive,
intense and determined style of play.
Despite the departure of four first-team All-NCAC players in Bryan
Burke, Lance Dill, Scott Hirsch and Nate Williams, the cupboard is
anything but bare. The fined-tuned, record-setting offensive
machine of 2002 still has many weapons. Leading the way will be
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.
Furthermore, the Tigers return sophomore third baseman
Brandon Godzik (Dayton, Ohio/Vandalia Butler), who
hit at a .341 clip as a freshman, and outfielder Matt
Foster (Granville, Ohio/Granville), who batted .333. In
addition, sophomore infielder/pitcher Jon Komperda (Bay
Village, Ohio/Bay), freshman 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) will be looked upon also to contribute and
provide depth.
Another Tiger strength in 2003 will be pitching. Wittenberg
returns an outstanding nucleus of veteran hurlers who form a
formidable 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.
Juniors Tom Fox (Urbana, Ohio/Urbana), who was
first on the staff in strikeouts and was second in appearances, and
Kurt Hartfelder (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington)
will play a key part in the Tigers' success. In addition, sophomore
Ryan Goldschmidt (Ft. Loramie, Ohio/Ft. Loramie),
who led the team in wins, innings pitched and complete games in
2002 as a freshman, sophomore Wayne Massie (Springfield,
Ohio/Tecumseh) and freshman Pat Rice (Lancaster,
Ohio/Fisher Catholic) return to the staff and will be
looked upon to make significant contributions.