PREVIEW: Bruin Baseball Hoping to Return to Post-Season with Improved Defense

NEWBERG, Ore. – If the George Fox University baseball team hopes to return to NCAA Division III post-season play, a berth the Bruins have earned eight times in 11 years of NCAA eligibility, in 2011, their first priority will be to improve the defense, a hallmark of the program for most of the past decade. 

George Fox was ranked in the top six nationally in fielding average six times in the past eight seasons, but a defensive mark of .957 with 69 errors that led to almost one-and-a-half unearned runs allowed per game was a major factor in the Bruins posting a 23-16 record last year, their fewest wins since 2001.  The Bruins’ third-place finish in the Northwest Conference at 16-8 was their lowest since winding up third in 2001.

Marty Hunter, who is 87-41 in three seasons as head coach and was an assistant coach for the six previous years, is optimistic that this year’s defense will cut down on the number of gift runs the Bruins surrender.

“We gave away far too many games last year,” admits Hunter, “but we will be stronger up the middle this time around and should avoid some of the big innings we saw last season.  That will help our pitching staff, which is deeper but still needs an ace to step up.  Offensively, we will do the things we have done in the past, taking advantage of our speed, putting runners in motion, bunting to put pressure on the defense, stuff like that.”

Infield

The Bruins return 14 letter-winners this spring, but the biggest impact will come from the return of Taylor Hunter (Jr., Canby, Ore. / Canby HS), the coach’s son, to shortstop.  A First Team All-NWC selection as a sophomore in 2009 when he hit .360, Hunter transferred to Oregon State University for a shot at Division I, but following a red-shirt year and a semester of fall ball, decided to come back to George Fox where he could be assured of full-time action.

“Having Taylor at short solidifies our defense immeasurably and allows us to move some players to their more-natural positions,” observes Hunter.  “He will provide leadership running the show on the infield and is a good No. 2 hitter.”

With Hunter at short, Sam Stahl (Sr., Vista, Calif. / Rancho Buena Vista HS) will shift to third and Eric Gantenbein (Sr., Warrenton, Ore. / Warrenton HS) from third to first.  Both were honorable mention for All-NWC honors last year, Stahl hitting .370-2-39 with 17 doubles and Gantenbein .311-1-13.

“Sam gave us his all at short last season, but third is really his best position and he’s doing a good job over there,” says Hunter.  “Eric is an all-around player who has shown good hands at first; he and Sam should both drive in a lot of runs for us in the middle of the order.”

Rookies Derek Blankenship (Fr., Baker City, Ore. / Baker HS) and Zac Israel (Fr., Lake Stevens, Wash. / Lake Stevens HS) have been battling it out for the second base slot, with Blankenship’s glove giving him the early edge.

“Derek is a very talented player with a strong arm who will also throw a little for us on the mound,” says Hunter.  “Zac will take over when Derek is pitching, and we can also use his bat as a designated hitter.”

Infield reserves include a trio of freshmen in Mitch Main (Fr., Bainbridge Island, Wash. / Bainbridge HS), Zach Hegelmeyer (Fr., Crescent City, Calif. / Del Norte HS), and Dustin Turin (Fr., Sandy, Ore. / Sandy HS).  Jay Kirchhofer (Sr., Oregon City, Ore. / Oregon City HS) and John Mountz (Jr., Prineville, Ore. / Crook County HS), who hit .375 and .200 respectively in limited action last year, will spell Gantenbein at first, with rookies Derek Dixon (Fr., Vancouver, Wash. / Columbia River HS) and Peter Martin (Fr., Toledo, Wash. / Toledo HS) also available.

Outfield

Second Team All-NWC right fielder Dan Winterstein (Sr., Eugene, Ore. / North Eugene HS) and center fielder Nate Hickok (Sr., Sherwood, Ore. / Sherwood HS) return for their final seasons.  Winterstein hit .317-1-28 with 12 doubles and a team-leading 10 stolen bases in ’09, while Hickok posted numbers of .282-0-21 and drew a team-best 26 walks.

“Both Dan and Nate are fine outfielders, and Dan has one of the best arms in the league,” notes Hunter.  “Dan could be our lead-off hitter or hit in the middle of the lineup for run production.  Nate has a knack for getting on base and is like a second lead-off man at the back of the order.”

Derek Aldrich (Sr., North Bend, Wash. / Mt. Si HS), who hit .193-0-9, has earned the left field job with a solid bat in the fall.  Also getting long looks will be Todd Nagamine (So., Kaneohe, Hawai’i / Mid-Pacific Institute) and switch-hitting Emmett Ackerlund (So., Newberg, Ore. / Veritas HS), who hit .500 and .333 respectively in limited duty last season.  Timmy Williams (Jr., Oceanside, Calif. / Guajome Park Academy) and Carl Mason (So., Woodburn, Ore. / North Marion HS), another switch-hitter, should see their first varsity action this spring as well. 

“We are blessed with a lot of good outfielders this year,” Hunter comments, “all of whom can run and track balls well in the field.”

New flychasers to the program are Matthew Zeller (Fr., Milwaukie, Ore. / Rex Putnam HS), Ryder West (Fr., Medford, Ore. / Cascade Christian HS), Austin Smith (Fr., Tualatin, Ore. / Tualatin HS), and Freddy Genther (Fr., Boise, Idaho / Capital HS).  Hunter particularly likes Zeller’s speed and base-running skills and expects to employ him as an occasional pinch-runner right away.  Genther has a strong arm and could also see some action as a reliever.

Catching

First Team All-Conference catcher Brent Trask graduated, but moving into his spot will be Josh Rapacz (So., West Richland, Wash. / Richland HS), who earned honorable mention All-NWC honors while splitting time behind the plate and as a DH.  The multi-talented backstop hit .348-1-12 and even swiped four bases.

“We have had excellent catchers for the last nine years or so, and Josh is a gifted kid who fits right into that mold,” says Hunter.  “He has good physical skills, a fine arm, and swings the bat well.  He plays with enthusiasm, and we look for him to become one of the best in the league.”

Daniel Casarez (So., Fall Creek, Ore. / Lowell HS) is expected to be the Bruins’ primary reserve behind Rapacz, with Gantenbein, who originally came to the team as a catcher, available in a pinch.  Sam Kiesse (Fr., Eugene, Ore. / Churchill HS) and Austin Egger (Fr., Sauvie Island, Ore. / Scappoose HS) are newcomers who project well for the future.

Pitching

Three-time All-NWC pick Mark Putney graduated, leaving a hole in the No. 1 spot in the Bruins’ rotation that is up for grabs.  No. 2 starter Jeremy Cheney, middle reliever Travis Schroeder, and closer Chad Jones, who all were honorable mention All-NWC, have also departed.  Nevertheless, Hunter likes the depth on this year’s staff.

Early indications point to a starting threesome for conference series of right-handers Brian Ranta (Jr., Clackamas, Ore. / Rex Putnam HS), Clay Gartner (Fr., Clovis, Calif., Clovis East HS), and Brian Davis (Jr., Renton, Wash. / Eastside Catholic HS), in no particular order.  Ranta, who was honorable mention All-NWC, went 4-3 with a 4.04 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 71.1 innings as the No. 3 hurler.  Gartner was 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 15 K’s with one walk in 20.0 innings before a sore arm sent him to the sidelines, earning him an extra medical-hardship season.  Davis was 0-1 with a 7.11 ERA and five strikeouts in 6.1 innings, all in relief.

“Ranta is a control specialist who has looked good and may get the first start,” says Hunter.  “He came through in a big way for us last season and we’ll need more of the same this year.  Clay is a budding ace whom we just need to stay healthy.  Davis has battled injuries most of his career but his arm appears solid now; he has good stuff and is pitching with confidence.”

If the Bruins need a fourth starter, newcomer Joey Clancy (Jr., Bothell, Wash. / Archbishop Murphy HS), a transfer from Columbia Basin Community College, has emerged as the prime candidate.  Notes Hunter, “Joey’s a big righty who throws strikes and will be a key middle man when he’s not starting.”

Jacob Brown (So., Gig Harbor, Wash. / Gig Harbor HS) gives the Bruins another good right-handed arm after coming over from Division I Gonzaga University, where he was 0-2 with a 6.04 ERA in 22.1 innings.  “Jacob has established himself as a solid short man and is our probable closer,” says Hunter.

The only experienced middle reliever is righty Andrew Snyder (Sr., Oceanside, Calif. / Rancho Buena Vista HS), who was 0-1 with an 8.31 ERA in 4.1 innings.  “Andrew has been throwing well and could make some significant contributions in his senior season,” forecasts Hunter.

Rookies expected to work a lot of innings will be right-hander Kyle Albertson (Fr., Marysville, Wash. / Marysville-Pilchuck HS) and southpaw Connor Harris (Fr., Sandy, Ore. / Sandy HS), along with Blankenship when he is not at second.  Observes Hunter, “Kyle and Connor are both strike-throwers with good movement on the ball, and we will call on them regularly if needed.”

Four hurlers with junior varsity experience who may be thrown into action this spring include righties Brad Gregory (So., Springfield, Ore. / Springfield HS), Spencer Eager (So., Bainbridge Island, Wash. / Bainbridge HS), and Kevin Hedglin (So., Tacoma, Wash. / Curtis HS), and left-hander Daniel Kephart (So., Tucson, Ariz. / University HS).  Genther may also be brought in from the outfield on occasion.

Summary

“The defense should be our most improved area, and that will make a big difference for our pitching,” Hunter summarizes.  “On the mound, we have some good kids who throw strikes, and more depth overall than last year.  Offensively, our team speed is good, and we will find ways to take advantage of other teams’ mistakes and manufacture runs.  We don’t have a lot of power, but we have some tough outs at the plate and that should reduce our strikeouts.

“The thing I really like about this team is that they just enjoy playing the game; it’s not work to them.  They give a great effort every day in practice, and are fun to be around.  We are looking forward to the challenge of the new season and hope to be a contender for the title again along with Linfield, Pacific Lutheran, and all the other improving teams in our conference.”

Schedule

Opening day for the Bruins is Thursday, Feb. 10, when they meet California Lutheran University at 2:00 p.m. on the first day of the Arizona Desert Classic at Boulder Creek High School in Anthem, Ariz.  Other West Region teams the Bruins will play include the University of Texas-Dallas Friday at 10:00 a.m., the University of La Verne Saturday at 2:00 p.m., and Concordia University-Texas Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

The Bruins’ non-conference schedule includes seven games against NAIA opponents, one of them against perennial power Lewis-Clark State College, and two games at the NCAA Division I University of Portland.  The Northwest Conference slate features three-game series against each of the other eight conference members for a total of 24 contests, starting with a home doubleheader against Pacific Lutheran University on March 5.

NCAA Division III regionals are set for May 18-22 at pre-selected sites, with the West Regional at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas.  Appleton, Wis., will once again host the Division III World Series May 27-31, where George Fox won the NCAA national championship in 2004.