2007 Baseball Outlook

The Lake Erie College baseball program, now in its sixth year, has been an ongoing process. Inherited by head coach Ken Krsolovic in its third year of existence, the Storm has transitioned from winning just 18 games in the first four years of competition combined, to becoming the ninth most improved team in NCAA Division III in 2006 with 16 wins. Last year's overall record of 16-24 was not only the best in program history, but it also included the highest Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) finish of eighth place with a league record of 6-12. Even more impressive, the team went 10-6 for a winning percentage of .625 in its final 16 games, which marked the first time the club ever finished a season on a winning note.

This season, the Storm is looking to begin right where it left off - on a winning note. The team has the players in place to continue the steady trend. In the infield, the entire starting lineup from last year's team returns intact with senior Bob White (Chardon, Ohio/Berkshire) at first base, senior Steve Walczak (Painesville, Ohio/Riverside), an All-AMCC Second-Team selection, at second, sophomore John Shaposka (Concord, Ohio/Cornestone) at third and junior Keith Trumbauer (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) at shortstop. The solidarity of the group could be challenged by several young players however, as the LEC roster features some extremely talented reserves such as freshman Tom Bayer (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor), freshman Jon Springer (Sebring, Ohio/Sebring McKinley) and sophomore Steve Long (Akron, Ohio/Coventry). These three, along with returnees junior Justin Drapp (Andover, Ohio/Pymatuning Valley), junior John Martorell (Cleveland, Ohio/Cleveland Central Catholic) and sophomore Ben Willis (Akron, Ohio/Coventry) will add depth to the infield.

In the outfield, Lake Erie does not have the luxury of depth, but just as the infield is anchored by a strong player such as Walczak, the grass will be tended by All-AMCC Honorable Mention pick Rocky Pfisterer (Akron, Ohio/Green) in right field. The junior, who hit .354 and led LEC with 34 RBIs in 2006, has shown ongoing improvement in his first two seasons. If the current pace of development continues, he could become a potential prospect in the future. In center is senior Brad Crail (Florence, Kentucky/Boone), who set the single season stolen base record as a freshman, which still holds today. Rounding out the outfield is junior Bill Sweet (Barberton, Ohio/Coventry), who was the team's third leading hitter last season at .320 with 19 RBIs. Several converted infielders will be among those who could get looks in the outfield, including freshman Nate Festi (Sugarcreek, Ohio/Garaway) and the aforementioned Bayer. Others added to the outfield picture include freshmen Brad Rasor (Bradford, Ohio/Newton), Tom Wills (Perry, Ohio/Perry), John Walker (Painesville, Ohio/Riverside) and Kevin Barron (Youngstown, Ohio/Chaney).

The Storm battery is filled with a number of young players. Behind the plate will be sophomore Harry Konrad (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) and freshman Ben Reed (Middlefield, Ohio/Cardinal). Konrad split starting duties during his freshman season and now moves into the lead role. As for Reed, he'll see time in the designated hitter spot when not behind the dish. Depth is at an all-time high for the position, with three capable freshmen waiting in the wings, including Brian Schiffbauer (Mentor, Ohio/Fairport Harding), Mike Lauria (Perry, Ohio/Perry) and Tom Smolko (Struthers, Ohio/Youngstown Christian).

On the mound for LEC is a good group of young arms. The top duo of 2006 returns for its sophomore season in lefty Dan Mason (Eastlake, Ohio/North) and right-hander Paul Roskos (Timberlake, Ohio/North). The two combined for six wins and an ERA of 3.57 last season.

Junior Seth Baumberger (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville) is one of the fastest throwers on the Storm staff and freshman Mark McAlpine (Fairport, Ohio/Fairport Harding) is emerging as one of the top hurlers in a decent class of incoming pitchers. Additional newcomers to the staff who could see extensive work include right-handers Festi, Jonathan Tiber (Claridon, Ohio/Berkshire), Dan Shreve (Perry, Ohio/Perry) and Vince Hug (Eastlake, Ohio/North). Upper class returnees senior Jon Gibson (DeMossville, Kentucky/Pendleton County), junior Zach Frailly (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) and senior Jon Thompson (West Harrison, Indiana/East Central) also bring plenty of game experience to the LEC mound corps. Additional rookie arms include Matt Platt (Perry, Ohio/Perry) and Riley Whittaker (Ashland, Ohio/Ashland).

At the plate, Lake Erie is solid in the top four spots, despite the absence of a true clean-up hitter. Crail will be put in the leadoff role because of his speed and will be followed by Walczak who hit .313 with a team-leading 35 runs scored last season in the two-hole. Pfisterer is the prototype three hitter and has held down the spot the past two years as White, who had 13 extra base hits and 22 RBIs in 2006, will take on the cleanup spot. The young players of Bayer, Festi and Springer could shake up the remainder of the order if they work their way into the lineup.

Overall, Lake Erie is expected to be a fun team to watch this season. With plenty of young talent, the team is faced with a schedule that provides a good mix of opponents from various good leagues. The non-conference portion of the schedule kicks off February 28 at Bethany. A week later, the annual spring trip will take the team to Arizona for the third straight year. Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference play begins on March 24. With a 35-man roster, the team will also have a 10-game junior varsity slate.