Joel Puthoff
After three straight winning seasons, the Wittenberg baseball program is aiming for more in 2007. A team hungry for championships returns 13 letterwinners, including four of the team's top seven hitters from last year's 23-16 team, buoying optimism that the Tigers will make a run at the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championship and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
After the Tigers posted a .322 team batting average a year ago, the highest team average since 2003, the Tigers figure to once again feature a potent offense. Iron Man K.R. Schlievert, a four-year starter at shortstop and one of the team's top offensive players, has graduated, but the offense remains well stocked, starting with senior first baseman Andrew Wellman (Huntington, W.Va./Huntington), who batted .361 in 34 games, including 33 starts, in 2006. He was among the team leaders in hits (43), doubles (7) and runs batted in (25), and his 19 walks led the team. In addition, Wellman is a smooth defensive player with just two errors in his first three collegiate seasons.
Also expected to contribute to the Tigers' offense are junior Jeremey Fruhwirth (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek) and sophomores Patrick Williams (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) and Jacob Michael (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty), all of whom can play multiple positions. Fruhwirth, a transfer from Defiance, hit .364 in limited playing time in his first year for the Red and White in 2006. Williams enjoyed a successful collegiate debut with a .348 batting average that ranked third on the team among everyday players, just behind Schlievert and Wellman. He was second on the team with 54 hits and 38 runs scored, while his 31 RBI put him second on the team. Michael posted a .461 on-base percentage, tops among everyday starters, thanks to 16 walks and a .345 batting average. Michael also showed off his defensive abilities with 88 assists, the second-highest total on the team, while playing several different positions.
In addition, versatile junior Joel Puthoff (Houston, Ohio/Russia), who saw a majority of his playing time last year on the mound and in the outfield, is a key player again in 2007 as he is penciled in to take over at shortstop. In addition, junior infielder Tyler Christello (Eaton, Ohio/Eaton) and catcher Matt Steinke (Wapakoneta, Ohio/St. Mary's Memorial) are among the key players around the basepaths. Christello is penciled in at second base, but he played four different positions a year ago. Steinke started 36 games behind the plate in 2006, batting .280 and playing strong defense after transferring from St. Joseph's College.
In addition, the offense will be bolstered by sophomore Jon Dalton (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek), who will see time at first base and as the team's primary designated hitter, and junior Joey Spano (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe), who is coming off an injury in 2006 but will see time at catcher and designated hitter this year.
Tyler Christello
Several members of an outstanding freshman class have an opportunity to make an impact on the lineup in 2007, including A.J. Bush (Troy, Ohio/Troy), Zach Marinelli (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe) and Sam Stough (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman). Also in the mix are returning sophomores J.T. Thompson (Clayton, Ohio/Northmont) and Ryan Montgomery (Delaware, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty).
The pitching staff is anchored by senior righthanders Tyler McClain (Springfield, Ohio/North) and Trey Richardson (Urbana, Ohio/West Liberty Salem). Last year, McClain earned his first varsity letter after making nine pitching appearances, including three as a starter. He finished the season with a 1-3 mark and a 7.20 earned run average.
Richardson also experienced some success in his first year as a member of the starting rotation after making 10 relief appearances and one start in his first two injury-plagued collegiate seasons. In 10 starts a year ago, he compiled a 3-3 record with a 6.08 earned run average. His biggest win came against Earlham as the Tigers clinched a berth in the four-team NCAC Tournament.
Head Coach Jay Lewis, who broke the Wittenbeg record for career coaching wins last year, has numerous options to fill out the rotation, starting with sophomore Tim Antil (Brookville, Ohio/Northmont), who made eight pitching appearances, including six starts, with a 1-1 record and a 6.32 ERA in 2006. Also looking to earn spots in the rotation are heralded freshmen Bobby Ciucki (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman), Joel Assenhemier (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson), Kory Winter (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto), Darin Mumaw (Fort Loramie, Ohio/Fort Loramie) and Chris Dorka (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington).
In relief, the Tigers have the sophomore due of Chris Green (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle) and Josh Fiebiger (Fletcher, Ohio/Miami East), who both earned saves in their inaugural collegiate campaigns. Green finished with a 1-0 record and a deceiving 8.85 ERA in 11 appearances, while Fiebiger came on strong late in the season to post a 1-0 record with a 5.91 ERA in six appearances. In addition, junior Eric Hartfelder (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington), who made five appearances and two starts in 2006, is in the relief mix.