Wilmington College has had a rough time in the baseball department. The Fightin' Quakers have had a long run the last couple years, but haven't quite meshed together all of the key components within the team.
With new head coach Dan Cleaver, he's hoping to change that and make them winners.
"It's season two of a three-year plan that we've had. We implemented that last year," said Cleaver. "Last year was to be competitive because we just kind of started over; and to recruit, recruit, recruit, because you're only as good as your players."
When talking about his three-year plan for the season, Cleaver expresses that "Year two is to win. Year two is to turn some of that competitiveness from last year into victories, while year three is to compete in one of the top spots in the conference."
Coming back from a hard season last year and losing a few players due to injuries, Cleaver still has a positive outlook on the upcoming season.
"Our pitching was not bad," said Cleaver, "we dropped our ERA by at least six runs a game last year. Some of the freshmen we brought in are better. We are also counting on junior Luke Matthews."
After missing the first part of the season due to an illness, Matthews (Centerville, OH/Centerville) pitched in eight games, making two starts. He was 0-2 with a 7.16 ERA.
Junior Corey Walker (Hillsboro, OH/Hillboro) could be the number one guy for Wilmington. Both Mattews and Walker will be given the opportunity early to match up against the league.
"Corey has good stuff, he hits his sports for the most part," said Cleaver. "But one things Corey does when he's on is the ball is low. Unfortunately for us, he's defensively the best shortstop in the OAC."
Clay Cleaver (Pleasant Plain, OH/Little Miami), who is also the team's centerfielder, will see a lot of action on the mound in non-conference action.
Freshman Tyler McDaniel (Trenton, OH/Edgewood) and Capital transfer Derek Peters (Fayetteville, OH/Fayetteville) will also find a place in the starting rotation.
Junior Billy Foster (Xenia, OH/Xenia) will be one of the first pitcher's out the bullpen, and will be joined by sophomore Sam Cranor (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle).
"He's got a history of being real tough that first time through the lineup," Cleaver said of Foster. "When we were in Florida last year, Billy pitched three no-hit innings against Illinois College. Billy doesn't throw hard, but he spots his pitches really well. He's going to be a relief guy."
Cleaver expresses that pitching is crucial in the game of baseball, especially for those who have made appearances in the last couple years and seasons.
"You're supposed to be better now, you're supposed to get better as you get older and more mature." A statement like this is enough to motivate those who need it to fuel their drive for the outcomes of this season.
Senior Gunner Calhoun (Wilmington, OH/Clinton-Massie) has come back to grace the Quakers with his strong arm and enthusiasm as a baseball player.
"Gunner is a definite wildcard. No pun intended," said Cleaver. "Gunner throws hard, and sometimes he can be a little wild. He pitched in Florida as a freshman, and he threw 8 and 2/3 innings against Hiram College and ran out of gas a little bit. If he works out he could be the number one guy, he's really an unknown commodity for us."
Aside from the pitching, the rest of the infield is just as important. While having Corey Walker as a potential for a spot on the mound and a key player in the middle infield at shortstop, Clay Cleaver in centerfield when he's not on the mound, and sophomore Zach Docter (Hillsboro, OH/Hillsboro) in the third spot of the lineup and playing first base, Cleaver has his work cut out for him.
With so many players that have ample abilities to play other positions, the way to win is to hit and score runs. In Cleaver's case, that is a big part of this three-year plan he has as a goal. Having Ohio Christian transfer Jake Robinson (Westerville/South) starting at the top of the lineup and moving Walker up from the seven hole to the second batter in the lineup, there is room to adjust, but having a lefty in that spot is crucial to get the ball in play.
Practices have given the freshmen the opportunity to mesh with the upperclassmen, but have also shown enough talent to give those upperclassmen a run for their money. There is competition at a few spots on the field between those separated generations, and it is something that Cleaver seems to be most excited about.
With the lineup being a solid foundation, and the positions that have the ability to be moved around, Cleaver should be able to rack up some wins this season. Aside from injuries to junior Cole Voltz (Mt. Sterling, OH/Madison Plains) and junior Tyler Shrock (Waynesville, OH/Waynesville), a couple of crucial players that will hope to see the season.
Cleaver believes there is nothing short of winning that can't be done.
"I'm just as excited as I could possibly be, but I also know that preparation is so important," said the second year coach. "Even more now, I revisit what I have already revisited. It's a big jump, and our goals are pretty hefty. There's no five-year plan, it's a three-year plan."
The Quakers will start their season opener on March 28 at Earlham.
Written by Kaci Locke, Sports Information Intern