Experience will lead team in run at conference title

Jo Teeters
Managing Editor
Feb. 26, 2004, Page 4

After last year’s sixth place finish in the Great Plains Athletic Conference, the Doane College baseball team is ready for a good season.
Assistant Coach Joe Kellerby said that the team, despite practice setbacks from snow and mud, is ready to begin the season.
“It should be a pretty exciting year,” Kellerby said. “We have a team full of experienced seniors.”
Kellerby said that many of this year’s seniors were part of the team that won the GPAC tournament two years ago. Kellerby said that the combination of talent and experience of this class should aid the team in winning the conference title, the team’s goal for this year. Last season the Tigers were 14-26 overall and 11-15 in the conference and lost two straight in the GPAC tournament.
The team’s key returning seniors include third baseman Marcus Schmidt, first baseman Brett Wobkin, short stop and relief pitcher Brandon Noerrlinger, left fielder David Wiggins, second baseman Brett Sonday and pitcher Bourke Bowen.
Kellerby said that junior designated hitter and third baseman Eric Fuehrer will also be a key player.
Replacing last year’s catcher, John Rodriguez, will be sophomore Jerad McBride. Also joining the team are freshman Mitch Vernon, first baseman and a possible designated hitter, and freshman Chris Bombardier, who will fill in at shortstop when Noerrlinger is pitching.
Kellerby said that last year’s pitcher Jeremy Fries was supposed to return this year, but did not get his medical red shirt. Instead, he is helping coach this year’s pitchers, Kellerby said.
The team’s elected captains are Bowen, Noerrlinger and Schmidt.
While the starting line-up hasn’t been released, Kellerby said that it will combine the team’s strengths of speed and power in order to score more runs.
The snow and mud have kept the team from practicing outside so far this season. The team has been practicing in Fuhrer Field House, and has often practiced late at night because they have to share the Field House with other sports teams. So far, Kellerby said, the team members have handled the setbacks with good attitudes.
The Doane College baseball team was picked to finish eighth out of 13 in the preseason poll. Their first game will be held at 1 p.m. on Feb. 28 at York College since their original season opener against Colorado School of Mines was postponed because of the weather.