March 3, 2006

Take MC out to the ball game
Marietta Pioneers ready for baseball season

By JON MOFFETT
jrm001@marietta.edu

With the weather getting warmer, and the days getting slightly longer, there’s no denying that finally, after what seemed like six months of winter, spring is on its way. Men’s and Women’s Basketball has ended for another year. The crew teams are getting their oars in the water. The track and field team is stretching. The tennis teams are stringing up their rackets. It’s time for spring sports at Marietta College.

With all the ruckus and hubbub occurring throughout the campus, on the water, on the track, and on the court, there is one place where all the cares in the world are forgotten and time seems to stand still. A place where if a person stands still, they can smell the freshly-cut grass, hear the loud THWACK of leather being struck, and feel the essence of a game that remains untainted by modernization.

The game that is known as the American pastime can also be accurately called the Marietta College pastime as well. It’s no secret that baseball is the most popular sport that Marietta has, but it’s also one of the biggest spectator events for the school.
“I think it’s a long lasting tradition and really the pride of Marietta,” said Christina Moritz, sophomore at Marietta and baseball enthusiast, “it’s the one program that really allows athletes to take off, like DeSalvo. I saw him pitch over the summer and to see the pride of Marietta College even represented in Canal Park (Akron, Ohio) was amazing, it was truly a proud moment for me, a student of Marietta. It’s a very strong athletic program, one of the strongest that represents Marietta. They’re very competitive in the league which helps to recruit prospective students for the school and the team.”

Moritz isn’t alone in her pride. Many students at MC view baseball as the staple of the entire athletic program, as well as the focal point of the entire college.

“When people think of Marietta College, they think baseball. Our baseball program has grown so much that it’s what a lot of athletes look at before they even come down here to look at the school itself,” said sophomore Randy Petit, who has lived in Marietta for ten years. “Our team is one of the most competitive in the OAC.”

Although baseball isn’t the only spring sport at Marietta, it’s certainly the most celebrated. “I don’t see anything wrong with it,” said junior Katie Chadwell, a member of the Marietta College Women’s Tennis team. “They have earned their success in the past and deserve the support and publicity. We still see support for tennis, just not to the same degree. Baseball is definitely something that is been built into the tradition.”

The baseball program has always been one of the top tier sports in Marietta and their 2005 results only helped validate that statement. With a record of 32-10-1 overall, and a 14-4 record in the OAC, the Marietta Pioneers sent a very positive message to the school that supports them. Although the team did lose a few key players from last season, the 2006 season looks to be another positive one.

• The Team•
The returning players who will be sporting Marietta’s traditional pinstripe threads are: seniors Lee Guerrera*, Jarrod Klausman*, Justin Steranka*, Mike DeMark*, and Chris Hendricks*; juniors Ryan Eschbaugh*, Mike Eisenberg*, and Joe Litke*; sophomores Zack Welch*, Devan Ward, Tony Piconke*, Ryan Belanger*, Jason Roth, Tom Doty, Mike Ryan, Dominick Winters, Andy Glazier, and Tad Thomas.
The baseball team also looks to utilize its enormous freshmen class. The freshmen players are: Mike Basic, Ryan Doran, Brennan Cribbins, Don Pugliese, Justin Yager, Tim Knowlton, Josh Beebe, Justin Merryman, Cameron Cimino, Ryan Dennick, Conor McFadden, Pat Logan, Steve Gruenberg, Chris Lacy, Josh Spicer, Alex Sedam, Jason Baumler, Zack Zuke, Blake Jurena, Scott Dunn, and Jordan Becker.

Out of the returning players, the Pioneers turn to just two pitchers who have pitched an inning in varsity baseball for Marietta. Those two hurlers are right-handed pitchers Mike DeMark, senior, and Mike Eisenberg, junior.

In 2005, DeMark went 10-0, with 76 strikeouts and a 3.19 ERA. Eisenberg was 5-2, with 39 strikeouts and a 3.40 ERA. Behind the plate, though, is a familiar face. Senior catcher Lee Guerrera will add a little ease to the inexperienced bullpen. The infield and outfield are comprised of a scattered amount of sophomores, as well as juniors and seniors, who look to add some helpful veteran experience to the field.

• The Coaches •
Also returning to the field is the coaching staff that makes the Marietta Pioneers what they are. Head Coach Brian Brewer, who graduated from Marietta College in 1993, will enter into his third season as the Pioneers head coach. Brewer has a record of 63-21-1 in his first two seasons, and has helped the Pioneers capture two OAC regular season championships. Brewer, who took over for legendary coach Don Schaly after his retirement in 2003, was the assistant coach for the Pioneers under Schaly from 2000 to 2003. The Pioneers’ record in those four years was 163-38.

Also returning to the dugout under Brewer are assistant coaches Mike Deegan and Tyler Mott. Deegan, too, enters into his third season with the Pioneers, after having played for them himself. Mott, who graduated from Ohio Wesleyan in 2004, will be entering into his second year with the Pioneers. The Pioneers also welcome Brian Hanolt as the student-assistant coach. Hanolt, a native of East Palestine, serves his senior year as coach after spending three years on the field for the Pioneers. Last season, Hanolt made five varsity appearances and had a record of 0-1 with six strikeouts in 7.6 innings.

The Marietta Pioneers’ 2006 season, which marks the 20th anniversary of the 1986 Pioneers, who last won a National Championship, officially begins on Tuesday, March 21st as they take on St. Vincent (PA) at Pioneer Park. With a very successful year behind them, the Marietta College Pioneers look to make 2006 another successful year, and they are certainly swinging for the fences.

* Denotes letter winner