Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
2017 Baseball Season Preview
2/15/2017 4:05:00 PM | Baseball
The Eagles enter their third season under Head Coach Mark Van Ameyde
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University baseball team is poised to spring back into action this Friday, Feb. 17, to begin the third season under Head Coach Mark Van Ameyde. Coming off a season in which the Eagles made their first Mid-American Conference semifinal appearance since 2011, and came a mere six outs from reaching the championship game, Eastern is ready for a potential breakout 2017 campaign.
The Eagles have a solid mix of veterans and newcomers that make up the 2017 squad. Eastern returns six starters from a season ago, as well as eight pitchers, to go along with 11 players in their first time in the Green and White. EMU has nine seniors that will lead the team, including three fifth-year players in Marquise Gill (Paw Paw, Mich.-Paw Paw), Jordan Peterson (Gilbert, Ariz.-Highland (Chandler-Gilbert C.C.)), and Mike Mioduszewski (Dexter, Mich.-Dexter).
The coaching staff is entering its third year as a complete unit, with Van Ameyde, and his assistants, Eric Roof, Spencer Schmitz, and Mike Frank all returning. The staff also adds recent EMU graduate and reigning MAC All-Tournament Team honoree Augie Gallardo as a student assistant coach.
PITCHING
The starting rotation for EMU will be less of an unknown this season as opposed to last, when the Eagles had to replace all three weekend starters from 2015. Leading the way will be junior Brent Mattson (Canton, Mich.- Canton) and sophomore Davis Feldman (Warren, Mich.-Brother Rice), who are the leaders in returning starts with seven and 10, respectively.
Mattson was the weekday warrior for the Eagles in 2016, with six of his starts coming during the middle of the week. Five of his starts came against "Power 5" opponents, as the junior finished with a 4.53 ERA in 49.2 innings and 29 K's. Feldman was part of the weekend rotation last season, totaling a 4.21 ERA in 57.2 innings. He notched 33 strikeouts and held opponents to a team-best .219 batting average.
The third rotation spot has a chance to see a new face as Van Ameyde looks to replace his new assistant coach, Gallardo, in that spot. A name to look out for is freshman James Harness (Huber Heights, Ohio-Wayne), who has made some noise this offseason. The righty comes in highly touted after a stellar career at Wayne High School down in Ohio.
Looking at the bullpen, a pair of seniors will anchor the back end and lock down games this season. Sam Delaplane (San Jose, Calif.-Leigh) and Matthew Beaton (Guelph, Ontario-Bishop Macdonnell Catholic) will be the 1-2 punch that Van Ameyde will rely on to shut things down in the late innings.
Delaplane had a great junior campaign, finishing with a team-high 24 appearances, striking out 49 batters and notching six wins and three saves. The California native currently ranks in the top-five in saves and the top-25 in wins for his career. Beaton has 23 appearances of his own, notching 29 K's in 33.1 innings, finishing with a 4.05 ERA. He tied the team lead with three saves, and is currently 17th all-time in that category.
There are plenty of other names to keep an eye on that have the talent to make an impact out of the pen, or in spot starts. Senior Kevin Shul (Albuquerque, N.M.-Albuquerque Academy (College of Southern Nevada)) and junior Kyle Huckaby (Chandler, Ariz.-Perry) both made a pair of starts last season for EMU. Sophomore Caleb Hester (Coloma, Mich.-Coloma) is a lefty that has the ability to start, or relieve, as he made a start, and notched a save last year. Senior Justin Thompson (Canton, Mich.-Plymouth (Concordia)) will also look to take an expanded roll after making four appearances in 2016.
A pair of new JUCO transfers will also look to log crucial innings in Justin McMurtrey (Redding, Calif.-Shasta (Butte C.C.)) and Brad Allen (Manchester, Mich.-Manchester (Jackson College)). Finally, junior Luke DeVenney (Des Moines, Iowa-Dowling Catholic) will carve out a roll on the bump this season in addition to his usual roll in the outfield.
CATCHERS
The backstops are a deep unit this season with five players who have the ability to receive pitches. They are led by senior Jeremy Stidham (Colorado Springs, Colo.-Sand Creek (Colby C.C.)) who is the incumbent at the position, having made 50 of his 53 starts there a season ago. The Colorado native was one of EMU's heavy hitters, slugging an impressive .467, with eight home runs and a team-high four triples. He was also a threat on the basepaths with 15 steals.
EMU can look to any of the four other catchers on the roster to serve as a backup to Stidham. A name to watch will be freshman Nick Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview), who was a first-team all-state player last year for Lakeview High School. Sophomore Robert Iacobelli (Rochester Hills, Mich.-Brother Rice) will also look to make a return to the lineup after missing most of his freshman season with an injury.
INFIELD
The infield will be comprised of mostly underclassmen this season. The unit will be led by its senior leader, Gill, who returns his team-best 58 starts at shortstop a season ago to the lineup. The speedster stole a team-best 35 bags last season, which ranked sixth in the country. He will look to anchor a group that will rely heavily on youngsters.
Joining Gill up the middle in the double play combination will be a pair of freshmen, Drake Peggs (Knightstown, Ind.-Knightstown) and Devin Hager (Commerce Township, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern), who come in highly touted. Both were first-team all-state selections in their respective states.
On the corners, returning utility man, sophomore Max Schuemann (Portage, Mich.-Portage Northern), looks to fill the void at third base left by reigning First Team All-MAC selection Mitch McGeein, who was lost to graduation. Schuemann has the ability to play all over the infield, making 37 starts a season ago, the most by any freshman. Nick Jones will also look to play the hot corner when not behind the plate.
At first base, yet another freshman, Zachary Owings (Saline, Mich.-Saline), will see significant at-bats for the Eagles this season. The high school utility man can play anywhere around the infield, but is quickly finding a home at first. Sophomore John Rensel Jr. (Tallmadge, Ohio-Tallmadge) and junior Brennan Williams (Commerce Township, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern) will also see time at first, while also serving as the primary designated hitters. Williams is a returning Second Team All-MAC selection after leading EMU with a .308 batting average as a sophomore.
OUTFIELD
The EMU outfield is by far the most experienced unit on the team this season, with three seniors expected to get the majority of innings patrolling the gaps. Mioduszewski, Peterson, and John Montgomery (Anaheim Hills, Calif.-JSerra) will go right to left in a unit that is equal parts power and speed. Mioduszewski finished second on the team last season with a .287 batting average and nine home runs, while leading the Eagles with 36 RBI's.
In center, Peterson returns after missing most of last year with a nagging injury. The JUCO transfer will be a welcomed addition to the lineup after a stellar junior season in which he started all 55 games, finishing with a .292 batting average and 18 steals. In right, Montgomery will make the transition from first base to the outfield where he spent a little time last year. The lefty started in 43 games last season, notching 42 hits including four home runs.
Providing depth in the outfield will be DeVenney, and sophomore Drake Lubin (West Bloomfield, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern), who both saw significant time out there last season. Stidham can also serve as an outfielder when not behind the plate.
The Eagles open the season this weekend with a four-game series against the University of Missouri down in Ft. Myers, Fla. EMU plays a 56-game slate in 2017, including 14 games at Oestrike Stadium. The home opener for the Green and White is set for Friday, March 24, against Bowling Green. The game from Oestrike Stadium, which also serves as the MAC opener, is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch.
The Eagles have a solid mix of veterans and newcomers that make up the 2017 squad. Eastern returns six starters from a season ago, as well as eight pitchers, to go along with 11 players in their first time in the Green and White. EMU has nine seniors that will lead the team, including three fifth-year players in Marquise Gill (Paw Paw, Mich.-Paw Paw), Jordan Peterson (Gilbert, Ariz.-Highland (Chandler-Gilbert C.C.)), and Mike Mioduszewski (Dexter, Mich.-Dexter).
The coaching staff is entering its third year as a complete unit, with Van Ameyde, and his assistants, Eric Roof, Spencer Schmitz, and Mike Frank all returning. The staff also adds recent EMU graduate and reigning MAC All-Tournament Team honoree Augie Gallardo as a student assistant coach.
PITCHING
The starting rotation for EMU will be less of an unknown this season as opposed to last, when the Eagles had to replace all three weekend starters from 2015. Leading the way will be junior Brent Mattson (Canton, Mich.- Canton) and sophomore Davis Feldman (Warren, Mich.-Brother Rice), who are the leaders in returning starts with seven and 10, respectively.
Mattson was the weekday warrior for the Eagles in 2016, with six of his starts coming during the middle of the week. Five of his starts came against "Power 5" opponents, as the junior finished with a 4.53 ERA in 49.2 innings and 29 K's. Feldman was part of the weekend rotation last season, totaling a 4.21 ERA in 57.2 innings. He notched 33 strikeouts and held opponents to a team-best .219 batting average.
The third rotation spot has a chance to see a new face as Van Ameyde looks to replace his new assistant coach, Gallardo, in that spot. A name to look out for is freshman James Harness (Huber Heights, Ohio-Wayne), who has made some noise this offseason. The righty comes in highly touted after a stellar career at Wayne High School down in Ohio.
Looking at the bullpen, a pair of seniors will anchor the back end and lock down games this season. Sam Delaplane (San Jose, Calif.-Leigh) and Matthew Beaton (Guelph, Ontario-Bishop Macdonnell Catholic) will be the 1-2 punch that Van Ameyde will rely on to shut things down in the late innings.
Delaplane had a great junior campaign, finishing with a team-high 24 appearances, striking out 49 batters and notching six wins and three saves. The California native currently ranks in the top-five in saves and the top-25 in wins for his career. Beaton has 23 appearances of his own, notching 29 K's in 33.1 innings, finishing with a 4.05 ERA. He tied the team lead with three saves, and is currently 17th all-time in that category.
There are plenty of other names to keep an eye on that have the talent to make an impact out of the pen, or in spot starts. Senior Kevin Shul (Albuquerque, N.M.-Albuquerque Academy (College of Southern Nevada)) and junior Kyle Huckaby (Chandler, Ariz.-Perry) both made a pair of starts last season for EMU. Sophomore Caleb Hester (Coloma, Mich.-Coloma) is a lefty that has the ability to start, or relieve, as he made a start, and notched a save last year. Senior Justin Thompson (Canton, Mich.-Plymouth (Concordia)) will also look to take an expanded roll after making four appearances in 2016.
A pair of new JUCO transfers will also look to log crucial innings in Justin McMurtrey (Redding, Calif.-Shasta (Butte C.C.)) and Brad Allen (Manchester, Mich.-Manchester (Jackson College)). Finally, junior Luke DeVenney (Des Moines, Iowa-Dowling Catholic) will carve out a roll on the bump this season in addition to his usual roll in the outfield.
CATCHERS
The backstops are a deep unit this season with five players who have the ability to receive pitches. They are led by senior Jeremy Stidham (Colorado Springs, Colo.-Sand Creek (Colby C.C.)) who is the incumbent at the position, having made 50 of his 53 starts there a season ago. The Colorado native was one of EMU's heavy hitters, slugging an impressive .467, with eight home runs and a team-high four triples. He was also a threat on the basepaths with 15 steals.
EMU can look to any of the four other catchers on the roster to serve as a backup to Stidham. A name to watch will be freshman Nick Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview), who was a first-team all-state player last year for Lakeview High School. Sophomore Robert Iacobelli (Rochester Hills, Mich.-Brother Rice) will also look to make a return to the lineup after missing most of his freshman season with an injury.
INFIELD
The infield will be comprised of mostly underclassmen this season. The unit will be led by its senior leader, Gill, who returns his team-best 58 starts at shortstop a season ago to the lineup. The speedster stole a team-best 35 bags last season, which ranked sixth in the country. He will look to anchor a group that will rely heavily on youngsters.
Joining Gill up the middle in the double play combination will be a pair of freshmen, Drake Peggs (Knightstown, Ind.-Knightstown) and Devin Hager (Commerce Township, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern), who come in highly touted. Both were first-team all-state selections in their respective states.
On the corners, returning utility man, sophomore Max Schuemann (Portage, Mich.-Portage Northern), looks to fill the void at third base left by reigning First Team All-MAC selection Mitch McGeein, who was lost to graduation. Schuemann has the ability to play all over the infield, making 37 starts a season ago, the most by any freshman. Nick Jones will also look to play the hot corner when not behind the plate.
At first base, yet another freshman, Zachary Owings (Saline, Mich.-Saline), will see significant at-bats for the Eagles this season. The high school utility man can play anywhere around the infield, but is quickly finding a home at first. Sophomore John Rensel Jr. (Tallmadge, Ohio-Tallmadge) and junior Brennan Williams (Commerce Township, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern) will also see time at first, while also serving as the primary designated hitters. Williams is a returning Second Team All-MAC selection after leading EMU with a .308 batting average as a sophomore.
OUTFIELD
The EMU outfield is by far the most experienced unit on the team this season, with three seniors expected to get the majority of innings patrolling the gaps. Mioduszewski, Peterson, and John Montgomery (Anaheim Hills, Calif.-JSerra) will go right to left in a unit that is equal parts power and speed. Mioduszewski finished second on the team last season with a .287 batting average and nine home runs, while leading the Eagles with 36 RBI's.
In center, Peterson returns after missing most of last year with a nagging injury. The JUCO transfer will be a welcomed addition to the lineup after a stellar junior season in which he started all 55 games, finishing with a .292 batting average and 18 steals. In right, Montgomery will make the transition from first base to the outfield where he spent a little time last year. The lefty started in 43 games last season, notching 42 hits including four home runs.
Providing depth in the outfield will be DeVenney, and sophomore Drake Lubin (West Bloomfield, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern), who both saw significant time out there last season. Stidham can also serve as an outfielder when not behind the plate.
The Eagles open the season this weekend with a four-game series against the University of Missouri down in Ft. Myers, Fla. EMU plays a 56-game slate in 2017, including 14 games at Oestrike Stadium. The home opener for the Green and White is set for Friday, March 24, against Bowling Green. The game from Oestrike Stadium, which also serves as the MAC opener, is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch.
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