TABLE OF CONTENTS The 2006 Season Preview Roster...3 Veteran Bios Newcomer Bios

Transcription

1 GENERAL INFORMATION Location...Kalamazoo, Michigan Founded Enrollment...29,732 Facility...Hyames Field Surface...Grass Dimensions...LF-325, CF-400, RF-340 Nickname... Broncos Colors...Brown & Gold Conference...Mid-American Conference Affiliation...Division I President...Dr. Judith I. Bailey Athletics Director...Kathy Beauregard 2006 Western Michigan University Baseball Media Guide 2005 Overall Record MAC Record MAC Tournament...4th Seed Letterman R/L...15/10 Position Players R/L...9/5 Pitchers R/L...6/3 Newcomers...15 TABLE OF CONTENTS The 2006 Season Preview Roster...3 Veteran Bios Newcomer Bios COACHING STAFF Head Coach...Randy Ford Alma Mater/Year...WMU/1979 Overall Record/yrs /1 yr Phone randy.ford@wmich.edu Assistant Coach... Scott Demetral Alma Mater/Year...WMU/1995 Phone scott.demetral@wmich.edu Baseball Secretary...Kim Hemingway Office Phone WMU MEDIA RELATIONS Associate Athletics Director...Bob D Amelio Director...Daniel Jankowski Baseball Contact...Paula Haughn Phone paula.haughn@wmich.edu Press Box/Cell TEAM INFORMATION First Year of Baseball Overall All-Time Record College World Series Appearances (1952, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1963) NCAA Appearances...11 (1952, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1989) Last MAC Championship Players Drafted COACHING STAFF Head Coach Randy Ford...16 Assistant Coach Scott Demetral SEASON IN REVIEW Overall Hitting Statistics...19 MAC Hitting Statistics...19 Fielding Statistics...19 Overall Pitching Statistics Game-By-Game...21 PROGRAM HISTORY/UNIVERSITY PAGES Bronco Record vs. Opponents...22 Bronco Record Book Bronco Awards Year-By-Year...27 Players in the Pros...28 Hyames Field...29 College World Series...18 Adidas Ad...30 University Pages SPECIAL THANKS J. B Printing, Scott Kuykendall (University Pages), Zolton Cohen, Gary Shook, Performance Communications, Mike Naylor (Silhouette Graphics), Kim Hemingway, Bob D Amelio, Mat Kanan and Daniel Jankowski. BASEBALL - 1

2 2006 Western Michigan University Baseball Media Guide The 2006 Western Michigan University baseball season marks head coach Randy Ford s second season at the helm of the Broncos. Ford led the squad to a overall record and 13-8 Mid-American Conference mark. In his first year of WMU baseball, Ford managed to take a team that had only won seven conference games prior to his arrival all the way to the 2005 Mid-American Tournament. WMU became the fourth seed after starting off with a 9-0 record with league sweeps over Toledo, Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan. It was the first time since 1999 that the Broncos had participated at the MAC Tournament. Ford also improved the Broncos numbers on the mound as they went from a 5.71 ERA in 2004 to a 4.44 ERA in The Brown & Gold return a wealth of experience in 2006 with 15 letterwinners along with two of its All-MAC honorees from last season. Junior LHP Dan O Brien, who was a two-time MAC West Division Pitcher of the Week last season (April 4, May 23), returns to the starting rotation. Senior RHP Brian Kross also received MAC West Division Pitcher of the Week, May 2. Eight seniors return to the Bronco lineup, which includes R.C. Dickerson, Kross, Matt Bolton, Rich Renhack, Mark Abro, Travis May, Mark Rasmussen and Bryan French. WMU did lose First Team All- MAC selections Adam Rosales and Justin Carter. Rosales was drafted in the 12th round, of the Major League Draft, 362nd overall, by the Cincinnati Reds in June of Among WMU career leaders, Rosales ranks second in total bases (365); third in hits (213), runs (156), home runs (24, tied), doubles (46), stolen bases (47); and eighth in RBI (114). In the MAC records book, Rosales is tied for 39th place all-time in runs scored and doubles. Known for his rocket arm, Rosales produced a.961 fielding percentage in over 1,000 chances at short. Rosales was also named to the NCAA All-Mideast Region Second Team. The Broncos have all the right components to be a contender this season especially in the league. WMU has been tabbed to finish third in the MAC West Division. PITCHING You will see familiar faces on the mound for the Broncos this season with returning starters Rasmussen and O Brien. Rasmussen started in 13 games last season and threw one complete game. He earned a 4-6 record with a 3.26 ERA along with 60 strikeouts. O Brien was the Broncos ace last season with a 2.98 ERA. He started in 11 games with a 3-3 record, while leading the team in strikeouts (66). O Brien s complete game thrown against Bowling Green at Hyames Field on May 21 earned the Brown & Gold the fourth seed in the MAC Tournament. French will also be a potential starter for WMU along with newcomer Ethan Hollingsworth. Kross, Dan Coberley, Drew Mahan and Derek Schlecker will be used as closers. Schlecker s numbers were impressive last season with a 5-3 record, 41 strikeouts and a 2.45 ERA. Bryan Rumple, Adam BASEBALL - 2 Meissner, and Gus Jacobson along with newcomers John Navage, Billy Morrison, Greg Marrone and Tim Mowry could also see time on the mound. CATCHER Starting behind the plate this season will be veteran Mark Abro. Abro started in 44 out of 46 games for the Broncos last season. This is Abro s second year starting at catcher. Abro could also be used at third base and as a designated hitter. Backing up Abro will be Cole Rathbun and Nathan Marquardt. Marquardt was fourth on the team in batting (.279) as a freshman. He too could play at third and in the DH spot. FIRST BASE Senior Travis May has been tabbed as the first base starter for this season. May played in 31 games for WMU last season, while batting.275 with four home runs and 22 RBI. Freshmen Brett Newsome and Chris Lewis could potentially see time at first base as well. SECOND BASE Senior Matt Bolton will start at second base for his fourth season. Bolton started in every game last season for the Broncos. In 2005 Bolton earned a.255 batting average and.943 fielding percentage. Transfer Chris Onderlinde and redshirt freshman Brent Gerlach will backup second base. THIRD BASE The Broncos lost their 2005 starting third baseman in Carter due to graduation. This season newcomer Pedro Dager along with teammates Marquardt, Abro, and Gerlach will all see playing time at the hot corner. SHORTSTOP With the graduation of Bronco standout Rosales, WMU will introduce true freshman Zach Gentile to the shortstop position. Bolton and Dager could also move over from their respective spots to fill this hole. OUTFIELD Senior R.C. Dickerson continues to play in centerfield. Dickerson has started at this position since his freshman year. Kyle Maunus will start in right or left field. Neal Miller will see the majority of his time in right field and Joe McDonald has been placed in left field. The depth in the outfield will continue with Rich Rehhack also playing in left.

3 2006 Western Michigan University Baseball Media Guide No. Name Pos. B/T Ht. Wt. Elg./Yr. Hometown/Last School 21 Mark Abro*** C R/R Sr./5th Troy, Mich./Athens 14 Matt Bolton*** INF R/R Sr./Sr. Chicago, Ill./Harlan Academy 4 Dan Coberley* RHP L/R So./Jr. Bay City, Mich./Bay City Central 17 Pedro Dager INF/OF S/R Fr./So. Caracus, Venezuela 3 R.C. Dickerson*** OF L/L Sr./Sr. Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Central 6 Jeremy Ford OF L/R Fr./Fr. Schoolcraft, Mich./Schoolcraft 27 Bryan French** RHP R/R Sr./Sr. Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue CC 2 Zach Gentile INF L/R Fr./Fr. Sturgis, Mich./Sturgis 28 Brent Gerlach INF L/R Fr./So. Dyer, Ind./Lake Central 24 Ethan Hollingsworth RHP R/R Fr./Fr. Joliet, Ill./Plainfield South 22 Gus Jacobson RHP R/R So./Jr. Carefree, Ariz./Cactus Shadows 7 Max Kelmigian INF R/R Fr./Fr. Farmington Hills, Mich./Brother Rice 23 Michael Klepper INF R/R Fr./Fr. Kalamazoo, Mich./Portage Northern 16 Brian Kross* RHP R/R Sr./5th Saginaw, Mich./Heritage 31 Chris Lewis RHP S/R Fr./Fr. Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Central 39 Drew Mahan RHP L/R So./So. Okemos, Mich./Michigan State/Okemos 12 Nathan Marquardt* C R/R So./So. Midland, Mich./Bullock Creek 26 Greg Marrone RHP R/R Fr./Fr. Plymouth, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central 23 Kyle Maunus** 1B R/R Jr./Jr. Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ldg. 34 Travis May* INF L/R Sr./Sr. Battle Creek, Mich./Kellogg CC 13 Joe McDonald* OF L/R So./Jr. Midland, Mich./H.H.Dow 10 Adam Meissner RHP R/R Jr./Jr. Rochester, Mich./KVCC/Adam 31 Neal Miller OF L/L Fr./So. Wood Dale, Ill./Fenton 19 Billy Morrison RHP R/R Fr./Fr. Novi, Mich./Novi 40 Tim Mowry RHP R/R Fr./Fr. Portage, Mich./Portage Central 28 John Navage RHP R/R Fr./Fr. Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk 36 Brett Newsome INF L/L Fr./So. Palos Heights, Ill./Mo. So. St./Marist HS 25 Dan O Brien** LHP L/L Jr./Jr. Chicago, Ill./Mount Carmel 9 Chris Onderlinde INF R/R Jr./Jr. Portage, Mich./KVCC/Christian 35 Will Posthumus INF R/R Fr./Fr. Portage, Mich./Portage Central 38 Mark Rasmussen*** RHP R/R Sr./Sr. Schoolcraft, Mich./Schoolcraft 37 Cole Rathbun** C R/R Jr./Sr. Bryan, Ohio/Bryan 32 Rich Rennhack* OF R/R Sr./Sr. Paw Paw, Mich./Kellogg CC 33 Bryan Rumple** RHP R/R Jr./Sr. Decatur, Ind./Bellmont 30 Derek Schlecker** RHP R-R Jr./Jr. Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park *Denotes varsity letters earned Head Coach: #29 Randy Ford Assistant Coach: #11 Scott Demetral BASEBALL - 3

4 2006 Western Michigan University Baseball Veteran Bios #21 MARK ABRO C - SR./5TH - 6-1/205 B/T: R/R - TROY, MICH./ATHENS #14 MATT BOLTON 2B - SR./SR /170 B/T: R/R - CHICAGO, ILL./HARLAN ACADEMY YEAR AVG G-GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB-A BB SO TB-SLUG% FLD Totals : Had a strong showing after going 3-for-3 at Bethune -Cookman, Feb managed a six game hitting streak that began May 1 versus Ohio University and ended May 13 at Kent State... collected first double against Michigan State, March 4... hit first home run of the season at Eastern Michigan, April 15 and added another one that series on April collected home runs over Michigan State, Michigan and Kent State... had only five errors behind the plate out of 44 games for a.985 fielding percentage... led the team in put outs (277). 2004: Started all 54 games for the Broncos... was named MAC Player of the Week, Mar went 4-for-5 with three RBI and a double in a win over Ohio State, March 7... went 3-for- 4 at the plate twice during league play... collected first home run against Cleveland State, March earned a.315 batting average for the year and a.977 fielding percentage. 2003: Started 50 games at third base... awarded Rookie of the Year by his team... finished second on the team in hitting (.302), home runs (5, tied) and RBI (28, tied)... recorded first home run of his career versus Xavier, March went 3-for-4 against Xavier, March 16, earning a season-high five RBI and two home runs... had a conference-high four RBI vs. Central Michigan on April : Redshirted. Athens High School: Lettered in baseball all four years of high school... also a member of the Redhawks basketball and football squads... played quarterback on the gridiron and ran the point in basketball... basketball team won a district title in set football records for most passing yards and touchdown passes in a single season. Personal: The son of Mark and Elizabeth Abro... born Dec. 11, 1982 in Port Huron, Mich.... has three sisters and two brothers. YEAR AVG. G-GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB-A BB SO TB-SLUG% FLD Totals : Started in 49 out of 50 games for the Broncos last season... went 3-for-5 with one run and one RBI in season opener at Bethune-Cookman, Feb had best showing of the season after to going 5-for-6 with three runs, three RBI and one double versus Northern Illinois, April went on a 10-game hitting streak that began May 6 at Central Michigan and ended May 21 versus Bowling Green... had three or more hits on seven different occasions... collected nine doubles on the season... led the team in stolen bases (15) and was second in assists (126). 2004: Participated in 36 games for WMU... went 2-for-2 at the plate in season opener, Feb recorded a conference best 3-for-4 at the plate against Eastern Michigan, which included an RBI, April struggled with injuries throughout the season... finished the season with five doubles, one triple and 14 RBI. 2003: Saw action in 35 games for the Broncos... played in first collegiate game of his career at Mississippi, March 1... collected first RBI at Kansas, March 7... scored a seasonhigh three runs in a game against Marshall, March 28, including his first two doubles of the year... went 3-for-4 at the plate versus Bowling Green, May 3... recorded a.269 batting average, which was good for fourth on the team, and finished with a.929 fielding percentage. Harlan Academy: Four-year starter at shortstop for the Falcons... Harlan reached city semifinals, championship, and quarterfinals during career... coached by Kenny Fullman... threetime all-selection player... twice named to all-city roster (2000, 2001)... played in Jack Kaiser All-Star Game at Comiskey Park... hit over.400 three times during prep career, in 1999 (.440), 2000 (.429), and 2001 (.438)... stole a total of 71 bases during playing days... scored 66 runs during 2000 campaign. Personal: Born May 15, 1984 in Chicago... the son of Preston and Lorene Bolton... has two brothers, Mike and Marlon and one sister, Kym. BASEBALL - 4

5 2006 Western Michigan University Baseball Veteran Bios #4 DAN COBERLEY RHP - SO./JR /170 B/T: L/R - BAY CITY, MICH./BAY CITY CENTRAL YEAR ERA APP W-L GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER BB SO WP BK HB Total : Threw 11 innings for the Broncos last season with six mound appearances... collected first win over Madonna, Mar.ch earned second victory at Illinois, April 6... fanned a season high five batters that game. 2004: Appeared in 16 games for WMU... earned first victory against Florida A&M in collegiate debut, Feb struck out four batters on two occasions versus Jacksonville, March 3 and against Xavier, Mar collected first save in a 3-1 win over Cleveland State, March pitched 30.2 innings as a freshman. Bay City Central High School: Posted a 5-2 record as a junior with a 2.38 ERA and 36 strikeouts... was a Colt League World Series participant and was awarded the teams number one pitcher... Earned a 7-2 record with 85 strikeouts as a senior... Coberley was a part of his high school football team at the cornerback position... academically, he was part of the National Honor Society. Personal: Born in Bay City, Mich., Aug. 2, the son of Terry and Karen Coberley... has one sister, Sarah and two brothers, David and Jeremy. #3 R.C. DICKERSON OF - SR./SR /190 B/T: L/L - KALAMAZOO, MICH./CENTRAL YEAR AVG G-GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB-A BB SO TB-SLUG% FLD Totals : Played in 48 out of 50 games last season... made only one error all season with a.991 fielding percentage... collected first home run of the season at Eastern Michigan, April 16 after a 2-for-4 showing which included one run and three RBI... earned another home run versus Ohio University, May 1 after going 2-for-3 at the plate. 2004: Started in 53 games for the Broncos last season at centerfield... recorded first homerun of the season against Jacksonville, March 2... had a conference high seven RBI in the Broncos MAC opening weekend against Toledo, April went 3-for-4 at the plate versus Eastern Michigan, April for the year collected a.259 batting average... finished fifth on the team in RBI (21)... stole seven bases. 2003: As a freshman started in every game but two at centerfield... collected his first hit, RBI and double in the season opener at Mississippi, Feb maintained success throughout the year including a season-high three RBI against Butler... obtained a fielding percentage with 110 putouts and no errors. Kalamazoo Central High School: Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 27th round of the 2002 Major League Draft... earned three varsity letters in baseball and two in football... baseball MVP in 2001 and All-SMAC First Team selection... hit.455, stole 24 bases, and legged out seven triples as a senior... MHSAA First Team All-District... winner of Roberto Clemente All Star Coaches Award... USTOC National Championship Series All- Tournament team member... Kalamazoo Gazette Prep Star of the Week... Qdoba High School Athlete of the Week... centerfielder for the Giants... was a wide receiver/defensive back on the football team... gridiron squad won the 2000 SMAC title... played in MHSAA All-Star Game... coached by Scott Spada in baseball, Bob Kubiak in football. Personal: Has one sister, Cassie... the son of Van and Stephanie Dickerson... born Nov. 6, 1983 in Kalamazoo, Mich. BASEBALL - 5