Coming off of a rollercoaster 2008 season in which the Tigers finished 19-19 overall and 7-9 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) West Division, Wittenberg looks to reload for 2009 in hopes of a return to NCAC and NCAA Division III postseason play. Despite the loss of four regulars from the Tiger lineup, Head Coach Jay Lewis brings back several key components, including virtually his entire pitching staff, for the new campaign.
Wittenberg will rely on two-sport standout Patrick Williams (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) as the leader of a young core of position players. Williams, a record-breaking wide receiver for the Tiger football team, enters his senior year having started all but two games of his Wittenberg baseball career. In 2008, he finished with a .300 batting average - his third straight season at .300 or better - while manning primarily right field. Other position players that Lewis will turn to for offense include sophomore Ray Noe (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome) and senior Jacob Michael (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty), both of whom can play multiple defensive positions. Noe was among the team leaders with a solid .356 average in 90 plate appearances as a freshman.
Behind the plate, sophomore Jason Haunty (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) will take on the starting role, splitting time with junior A.J. Bush (Troy, Ohio/Troy). In 2008, Haunty played in 10 games, while Bush saw action as a utility man in 23 games, driving in 16 runs on 20 hits. Bush is expected to take on a role as a designated hitter for Lewis' squad.
Sophomores Mike Yednock (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington), who started 10 games at second base and batted .391 in 46 plate appearances a year ago, and Collin Puthoff (Houston, Ohio/Russia) also figure prominently in the team's 2009 plans. Junior Sam Stough (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) will take on a significant role in the outfield after playing in 20 games and driving in six runs last spring.
On the hill in 2009, the Tigers bring back all four of their regular starters, highlighted by the return of senior Tim Antil (Brookville, Ohio/Northmont). In 12 appearances in 2008, Antil started nine, going the distance on three occasions. He finished second on the team with a sparkling 1.74 earned run average, one of the best single season marks in school history.
Joining Antil, who posted a 6-2 record and held opposing batters to a .227 average in 2008, in the rotation are a trio of juniors, Bobby Ciucki (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman), Joel Assenheimer (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) and Kory Winter (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto). The trio combined to start 23 contests a year ago, with Assenheimer leading the way with four wins. Ciucki finished second on the team in 2008 with 22 strikeouts, while Winter, who also plays the outfield, limited opponents to a .289 average. Sophomore transfer Jordan Kegler (Hilliard, Ohio/Darby) figures into the mix for the starting rotation.
Out of the bullpen, the Tigers have one of the most effective relievers in school history returning for his junior campaign in Darin Mumaw (Fort Loramie, Ohio/Fort Loramie). Mumaw led the staff in a number of statistical categories, including appearances (16) and ERA (1.62). He leads a deep, talented staff that Lewis hopes includes multiple quality late-inning options.
Written by: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant