2014 Prospectus (PDF)

DETROIT -- In 2013, the Wayne State University baseball program won 30 or more games for the seventh time in school history and the fifth time in the last six years. The Warriors finished with a 21-10 GLIAC record and clinched a berth in the GLIAC Tournament for the ninth time in the last 10 years. However, WSU missed out on the NCAA Tournament after winning just one game at GLIAC Tournament and head coach Ryan Kelley and his Warriors are looking to add to the program's storied history in 2014. Coach Kelley was pleased with the results last season including the team's performance off the field.
 
"We were pleased with the team's effort to reach the 30-win mark again while also contributing to our Wayne State University overall student-athlete experience and expectations," said Kelley. "Finishing with above a 3.0 team GPA and contributing over 1,500 community service hours were results the coaching staff were very proud of.  With the help of his teammates, Brad Guenther was able to anchor the GLIAC Player of the Year award while also earning an opportunity with the Los Angeles Angels organization."
 
The Green & Gold will need to replace one of the best players in program history in catcher Brad Guenther, who was the 2013 GLIAC Player of the Year and a Tino Martinez Award Semifinalist. In addition, the Warriors will be replacing its top two starting pitchers in southpaw Alex Pierse and right-hander Ethan Vasiliauskas. The two combined for 22 starts and a 14-5 record. Also moving on due to graduation will be shortstop Kenny Davis (2013 All-GLIAC First Team), outfielder Kasey Koster (All-GLIAC First Team) and right-handed pitcher Greg Spiess (23 career starts).
 
The rotation will be a point of interest during the offseason and Kelley is looking forward to the competition it will bring.
 
"Through the fall practice schedule and winter workouts, there are rotation spots under competition," continued Kelley. "Some of our pitchers including Kyle Zimmerman, David Frederick, Taylor Horn and Alex Kinch have demonstrated a hungry willingness to earn a top spot in the rotation. Our January and February practices will continue to open the door for more rotation competition and exposure. Through our first two spring trips when our pitchers obtain mound time against quality opponents, we'll see who is hungry to be our rotation headliners entering the GLIAC season."
 
Returning to the roster are sophomore infielder Jermey Carrell (St. Clair, Mich.), who was an Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selection and  junior left-handed pitcher/first-baseman Kyle Zimmerman (Frankfort, Mich.) who hit .315 last season and drove in 28 runs. The team's captains will be senior catcher/outfielder Eric Cunningham (LaSalle, Ont. / Notre Dame College), senior outfielder Chris Gebara (Troy, Mich.) and senior pitcher Kirk Stambaugh (Sylvania, Ohio / Southview).
 
Other returners of note are senior infielders Jimmy Jackson (Battle Creek, Mich. / Kalamazoo Valley CC), A.J. Matos (Southgate, Mich. / Detroit Western) and senior closer Clayton Ruch (Pemberville, Ohio / Owens CC).
 
WSU welcomes eight newcomers (five freshman and three transfers) to the roster. Junior infielder Nathan Manis (Port Huron, Mich. / Owens CC), junior outfielder Dennis Olszewski (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Wabash Valley CC) and graduate student catcher Zach Johnson (Grandville, Mich. / Michigan) all transferred into the team. Freshmen Cole Clifton (Sterling Heights, Mich. / De La Salle), Hunter Van Maele (Commerce, Mich. / Walled Lake Northern), Chris Horvath (Windsor, Ont. / St. Anne Catholic), JT Conti (Trenton, Mich.) and Tyler Tompson (Farmington, Mich.) will all wear the Green & Gold for the first time this spring.
 
"We are very excited to have these future Wayne State University student-athletes join our baseball program," said Kelley. "They have demonstrated a passion for success on the field and in the classroom and we are excited to help them elevate these traits at the NCAA level. We are counting on them to add to our Wayne State University baseball culture immediately. Our coaching staff led by Aaron Hepner, John DiLaura, and former assistant coach Logan Hughes worked extensively during the recruiting process to help these future Warriors find a home in Detroit."
 
The 2014 schedule will commence in Evansville, Ind. with the 2014 Dunn Hospitality Classic with two games against Saint Joseph's and one contest  with Southern Indiana before the Warriors make their annual trip to Florida. WSU will meet Lewis (DH), Missouri-St. Louis, Saint Joseph's (DH), Wayne State College (DH), Alderson Broaddus (DH), Seton Hill (DH) and Minnesota Duluth (DH) at the 2014 RussMatt Invitational in Winter Haven, Fla. Home GLIAC series include Saginaw Valley, Northwood, Hillsdale and Walsh. The Warriors will also host Ashland, Urbana, Findlay and Tiffin in single nine-inning contests.
 
The expectations will not change for the steady Warriors in 2014.
 
"Our expectations remain consistent within our program's philosophy," said Kelley. "Above all we expect Wayne State University baseball student-athletes to abide by our graduate and win approach, represent the name on the front of our jerseys with pride, while also being productive leaders on and off the field.  Furthermore, we are eager to see some of our underclassmen and newcomers step right in and contribute.  Plus, it is time for some of our upperclassmen to develop a great sense of leadership to help solidify their place in Wayne State baseball history."