SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The conclusion of this year's baseball season was bittersweet for Wittenberg shortstop K.R. Schlievert, class of 2006 of Findlay, Ohio.
It was the end to one of the finest careers in school history. Schlievert will go down in the baseball program record books as Wittenberg's version of Cal Ripken Jr., the famed Baltimore Orioles shortstop who holds the Major League Baseball record for consecutive games started. Schlievert started every one of the 152 games in his tremendous Wittenberg career, culminating in a North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals loss at top-ranked Wooster last weekend.
While records for games played and consecutive games started are not kept by Wittenberg, Schlievert's accomplishment is nonetheless unique. According to Head Coach Jay Lewis, Schlievert is the first player in at least the last 15 years to start every game of his collegiate career, in addition to a plethora of awards and records.
"I have never had an athlete like K.R.," said Lewis, who broke the school record for career coaching victories earlier this season while guiding the Tigers to a 23-16 overall mark in 2006. "He will go down in my mind as one of the best shortstops in our history."
Schlievert began his Wittenberg career strong, garnering team Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman in 2003. In addition to his .389 batting average, which was fourth-best on the team, he started all 40 games at shortstop and ranked among the team leaders in hits, runs and doubles. In addition, Schlievert set a school record for assists with 142, which he promptly broke the following year with 143.
Four years later, Schlievert holds the career record for assists with 513, nearly 30 more than any previous Wittenberg player. In fact, Schlievert's name is all over the Wittenberg record books as his career comes to a close.
Offensively, Schlievert broke two career records during the 2006 season – at-bats (580) and doubles (52). He is also second in base hits with 194, fifth in runs scored with 139, fifth in total bases with 257 and eighth in runs batted in with 108.
The dedication Schlievert displays on the baseball field carries over to his academic career as well. As a student-athlete and a history major, he has demonstrated an ability to succeed both on the field and in the classroom with a 3.3 grade point average and is a 2006 nominee for Academic All-America honors.
"He has become a very good leader on the field and has been a model student for any athlete to follow," Lewis said.
Wittenberg baseball enjoyed three 20-win seasons in the Schlievert's four years in the Red & White, and the Tigers advanced to the four-team NCAC Tournament in 2005 and 2006. He has earned honorable mention All-NCAC honors twice in his career, and after a stellar senior campaign is a good bet to add some more hardware in 2006 when those awards are announced later this month.
Schlievert's love of baseball, exemplified by his devotion to his teammates, coaches and his commitment to academics over the past four years, has made him a benchmark player on Wittenberg's team. When he graduates on May 13, the Tiger baseball program will have a significant hole in its lineup.
He won't go far, though – at least not yet. Schlievert plans to do his student-teaching nearby in the fall.
"He will be missed next year for all the qualities that he has brought to our program," Lewis said. "Still, he is going to be a very successful person."
- Alecia Dimar '06
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