Season Outlook

2006 Season Outlook

Poised for Success in 2006

The Graceland baseball program has become very competitive in the Heart of America Athletic Conference since 2001 when Head Coach Brady McKillip took over at the helm. Yellowjacket baseball was a program that had never been to an NAIA Regional in their history, but McKillip ended that in 2002 as the team finished third in the HAAC with a 13-7 record. With that third place finish Graceland received the No. 6 seed and qualified for their first ever Region V Tournament appearance at T.R. Hughes Ballpark, the home field of the River City Rascals, in St. Charles, Mo.

In 2003, the Jackets put a line-up on the field every day that averaged an amazing 9.58 runs per ballgame and finished the season ranked 11th nationally in total offense. Due to some key injuries to several members of the pitching staff, Graceland found themselves on the short end, as they finished 10-10 in the conference, one place out of possibly qualifying for a second straight appearance in the regional tournament. The 2004 season found Graceland in a rebuilding year as they graduated 10 seniors from the previous squad. Although it was probably the most talented recruiting class brought in by Coach McKillip in his three years, he knew the young guys would need time to adapt to the college game and the Jackets struggled early. Coach McKillip was right and as the guys adjusted, they began to win some ballgames going 17-13 to finish the season. They even pulled off two quality wins against Culver-Stockton College and Grand View College, who were both nationally ranked at the time.

Going into 2005 expectations were high as the Jackets had only graduated four seniors, were returning 21 players and had brought in another excellent recruiting. With all of those expectations the Jackets started out smoking hot winning seven of their first eight games including a double-header sweep over Bethany College, who finished the year in the Top 25. The rest of the season however was up and down for the Jackets they endured injuries to several players throughout the year, finishing 24-33 overall. The 24 wins were just four wins shy of setting a new school record for wins in a season.

In 2006 the Jackets look to enter the season the healthiest and most experienced they have been in some time. They will return seven everyday position players along with two of their top four starters and their closer.

McKillip said with the combination of talented veterans, which features all-conference starting pitcher Ryan Brickman and four other returning all-conference players, and the hard work of the younger guys, the fall and spring has been one of the most competitive ever.

“There are lots of positions that still need to be won this spring,” said McKillip. “There are a number of players that are making a name for themselves at all of the positions. We have four or five outfielders that could win starting jobs, our competition in the infield and at catcher has been tough as well. On the mound the youngsters are holding their own with some of the older guys.

“In all, we are going to have to make some tough decisions about who will make the 24-man travel squad during conference play in March and April.”

Pitchers

Under Pitching Coach Adam Clarke, the Jackets have competed quite well in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, ranking in the top half in ERA each year. This spring Clarke brings back his most experienced staff in his three-year tenure with the Jackets, as the nine returnees feature fifth year seniors Ryan Brickman and Josh Meyer, along with John Stewart and Jason Bennett who have each been in the program for three years.

Sophomores Chris Hayes and Kyle Palmer, along with freshman Kyle Moman will join Brickman, an honorable mention all-conference selection, in the Jackets’ weekend rotation during conference play, giving Clarke a solid foundation to build a staff around.

“It is great to know that we have as much experience on our staff as anyone in our conference,” Clarke said. “It is important to us as we recruit a lot of high school pitchers and try to develop them in our program, so by the time they are juniors and seniors they have three to four years of experience and are poised to lead us toward a championship.”

Brickman headlines the staff after going 5-4 with a 5.23 ERA as a junior in 2004. The 6-0 right-hander earned honorable mention all-conference honors by tossing one shutout, one complete game, earning two saves and striking out 46 batters in 62 innings pitched.

In 2005, Ryan injured his right knee after just six appearances and was granted a medical red shirt, allowing him to come back for his fifth year. Prior to his injury, Ryan was 1-1 with a no-hitter against Oklahoma Wesleyan in his second start of the season. Brickman spent the summer pitching in the Des Moines, Iowa, college wood bat league and will make a strong bid for all-conference accolades this spring.

Hayes brings last season’s experience back to the rotation, as he went 4-4 with a 6.55 ERA, highlighted by two six-inning, one-run performances against College of the Ozarks and Baker University. A major staple in the rotation last spring when Brickman was injured, Chris will jump into the No. 2 slot in the rotation and be counted on heavily this season.

Sophomore Kyle Palmer will move from the bullpen to the rotation this season. In 2005, he was second on the team with 16 appearances including three starts where he went 2-2 with a 6.27 ERA. Fighting some control problems as a reliever, Kyle worked as a starter this fall and seemed to put those troubles behind him. Palmer played for the Calgary Dawgs of the Western Major Baseball League last summer appearing in 14 games for them in relief. “If Kyle is successful in this transition, it will give us three top quality arms at the top of our rotation,” Clarke stated.

Mid-semester transfer Kyle Moman is penciled in to fill the No. 4 slot in the rotation. Coming from Mayville State in North Dakota, Kyle brings a heavy fastball and good off-speed stuff to go with it. A freshman, Kyle will have to work hard in the few weeks before season to learn the system and gain a rapport with his catchers but should have no problems doing this. A Manitoba native, Moman pitched for Team Manitoba Youth Selects while in high school.

Jason Bennett could also push to be in the top of the Yellowjackets’ rotation. As a spot starter last season, Jason was 0-0 with his best start a five-plus inning performance against NCAA Division II Truman State University.

While Clarke has the luxury of two starters having extensive experience and third with some know-how, the bullpen also features a trio of veterans in closer Josh Meyer, and left-handers John Stewart and Tanner Stone.

“Those three have pitched in a lot of games for us over the last couple of years, and we know they will go out there and give us a chance to win,” Clarke said.

Meyer, a fifth-year senior has made 50 appearances as a Jacket, including 20 last season when he went 4-3 with a team-leading 4.25 ERA and eight saves. Meyer, whose 19 appearances in 2004 and 20 in 2005 led the staff, has struck out 71 in 71 2/3 innings the last two seasons. Stewart was used in a variety of situations out of the bullpen, going 0-0 in 16 appearances. Senior Tanner Stone also made nine appearances in relief in 2005 and has made some adjustments to his mechanics and will now throw more from the side and even sub-marine style. “The change for Tanner to throw from the side has given him a lot of movement on all of his pitches and made him extremely hard on left-handed hitters,” Clarke said.

Three newcomers who will be expected to contribute early are freshmen Luis Perales, Kulraj Shergill and red-shirt freshman Matt Beckenhauer a transfer from Colby Community College.

Perales, who could either start or work out of the bullpen, had an outstanding fall for the Jackets. A power pitcher, Luis is consistently around the zone and throws a heavy fastball he can spot anywhere.

Shergill, a reliever from Woodbridge, Ont., had an impressive fall as he posted a 2.92 ERA in 12 innings of work, while hitters batted just .125 against him. Beckenhauer, a mid-semester transfer red-shirted last season while rehabbing an elbow injury, comes in this spring close to 100 percent. A three-pitch pitcher, Matt has impressed Coach Clarke with his ability to locate all three. “Matt is a small guy with great mechanics and control, he will be a big asset to the bullpen,” Coach Clarke said.

“As a group, this could be the most talented staff we have ever brought in,” Clarke said. “We feel they will all have the ability to contribute for us throughout the season.”

Others who could contend for spots on the Jacket travel roster include returnees Ricky Eusebio, Brian Kennedy and freshmen Don Cox, Glenn Burley and Shaun Hansen.

Catchers

Another position where last season’s primary starter is returning is behind the dish. Matt Proctor will man the duties of signal caller for the Jackets in 2005. The junior came to Graceland in the spring of 2004 and split time as a freshman catching 19 games. Although he struggled offensively during his first season, he gained a strong rapport with the pitching staff and showed the coaches his ability to call a game. In 2005, Matt earned the starting position about half way through the season and hit a respectable .259 in 34 games. “We are willing to give up a little bit of offense to have Matt’s defense and pitch calling behind the plate,” McKillip said. During the fall Matt worked hard on his batting and it paid off as he hit .308 in 39 at bats. This spring looks to be the year Matt breaks out with the bat while still providing excellent leadership and defense behind the plate.

Freshman Adam Shupe will push for playing time behind the dish as well as at the Ddesignated hitter spot in the lineup. An all-conference player for 5A power Ankeny High School in Ankeny, Iowa, Adam has all the tools to be an excellent player throughout his college career. “Adam has more power at the plate than he realizes, and when he stays relaxed and uses the whole field, he shows it off,” McKillip said. A dedicated worker, Shupe has improved his defense greatly from fall to spring and is beginning to gain the confidence of the Jacket pitching staff. Adam will provide more than adequate depth behind the dish for Graceland in 2005.

Outfielder Henry Duke could be another option behind the plate, as he caught all the Varsity Reserve games in 2005.

Infielders

The strength of the Jacket roster is no doubt in the infield, where three of Graceland’s returnees are all-conference performers, led by second team all-conference third baseman Tyler Moe. The infield played a major role in setting a school record with a .956 fielding percentage – an average that was in the top half of the conference and ranked in the Top 20 nationally.

Moe enters the 2006 season as one of the conference’s top hitters and has the potential be a first team all-conference player for the Jackets, their first since 2003. The third baseman earned second team all-conference honors, hitting .418 with nine homers and 44 RBIs last spring. Moe, who led the Jackets in six offensive categories and set school records in batting average, hits (76), total bases (119) and games played (57), is one of two current players to have played in every game the last two seasons. He spent the last summer playing with the Brantford Red Sox of the Major Intercounty Baseball League in Brantford, Ont., hitting .286 with two home runs and 25 RBIs.

“He’s gotten stronger and worked hard on his defense,” McKillip said. “He has a better knowledge of what he has to do both at the plate and at third base, which is the sign of a mature player.”

One of the two remaining all-conference players on the infield for the Jackets, Matt Calcagni provides Graceland the luxury of one of the best shortstops in the league. The junior from Brampton, Ont., batted .350 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs, both of which led the team. He also ranked second in stolen bases with a perfect 13 for 13 in swipes. Defensively, he is one of the HAAC’s best, fielding a .948 clip, making just 10 errors in nearly 200 chances. The vocal leader of the Jackets, Matt was set to play for the Toms River Black Sox of the Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League this summer but a shoulder injury forced him to sit out and rehab. At 100 percent, Matt will look to earn all-conference honors for the second time in his career.

“Matt is an all out player and the leader of our defense,” McKillip said. “His style of play motivates everyone around him to be better.”

The other all-conference selection, first baseman Jason Goff was named honorable mention all-conference designated hitter in 2004. A true utility player for the Jackets, Goff started at least 10 games at three different positions last season. He posted a .295 batting average with 27 RBIs and set a school record with 14 hits by pitches. This fall Jason moved to first base full time and has shown excellent footwork and picking ability.

First base is one of Graceland’s deepest positions, as the Jackets return junior Victor Tso and welcome newcomer Cesar Garrido into the mix.

Tso was last season’s opening day starter and provides excellent defense. Early struggles offensively left him in a back up role, but Victor has worked extremely hard on his swing and should provide a lot more offense when given the chance this season.

Garrido, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, will possibly red-shirt this year to save a year of eligibility with the two upper classmen ahead of him.

One of the most contested battles for playing time is at second base, where two juniors Aaron Fuller and Kyle Finley enter the spring in a clash for the position. Both players have the ability to play the position but Fuller has the edge in experience.

Fuller, last season’s starter, is back to man second base in 2006. A down year offensively in 2005, Fuller still logged 38 hits and 22 walks in 51 games played. A solid compliment to Calcagni up the middle, Aaron has worked hard this off season and comes into this spring in the best shape of his life. After a solid fall which saw Aaron hit .318 with 14 walks in 44 at bats, Fuller looks to provide the offense he did in 2003, when he hit .356 as a freshman.

“Aaron has worked harder than anyone this off season and it shows in his quickness and range” McKillip said. “He is making plays on ground balls that he couldn’t get to a year ago.”

Finley joins the varsity program after two solid years developing his skills for the varsity reserves. An excellent bat handler, Kyle brings speed and solid defense to the Jackets infield this season. “Kyle gives me several options as a coach; He can bunt, put the ball in play when asked to and gives us speed when in the lineup or off the bench,” McKillip said.

Both players also bring versatility to the middle infield, as McKillip will be able to interchange both with Calcagni at shortstop to give him a day off now and then.

Outfielders

While the Jackets return two starters, including second team all-conference selection Adrian Kerr, the outfield has been extremely competitive during the fall, as seven players are in the mix for playing time. Kerr and senior Tyler Belanger manned the corner outfield positions in 2005. The Jackets also welcome back Matt Prignitz, who saw some time in left last year.

“One of the things we have wanted to do is build our depth in the outfield, and I feel that we have done just that,” McKillip said.

Kerr was the Jackets’ leadoff hitter last season, where he finished with a .327 average, 51 runs scored and 32 RBIs. The only other player to play in every game for the Jackets in the last two years, Kerr set school records in at-bats (196) and doubles (24) which also ranked him third nationally. The 5-10, 175-pounder, also topped the Jackets with 19 stolen bases in 22 attempts. An outstanding defender as well, Kerr tallied seven assists from his right field spot with .968 fielding percentage.

“Adrian is an accomplished leadoff man that sets the tempo of our offense when he gets on base,” McKillip said.

In left, Graceland returns two-year starter Tyler Belanger, who is one of the most experienced members of the Jackets as he has earned three letters in as many years. Belanger, who hit a combined .284 in his first two seasons at GU looks to bounce back after a disappointing year at the plate, hitting .244 with five homers and 21 RBIs in 2005.

Sophomore Henry Duke looks to build on a strong fall performance where he hit .273 with one homer and 13 RBIs in 44 at-bats. A catcher in 2005, Duke moved to left field full time and impressed the coaches with his ability to adjust to the position.

The center field position will be filled with junior college transfer Rudy Vallejos. Vallejos transferred to Graceland from Porterville Community College where he was a second team all-conference performer. The 5-10, 190-pounder, has 6.6 speed and a strong arm making him an excellent fit in center field. A teammate of Kyle Palmer’s on the Calgary Dawgs last summer, Vallejos will most likely hit in the No. 2 spot in the Jackets’ lineup, giving them one of the fastest one-two combinations in the league.

“Rudy was a late addition to the team that really filled a major void we had due to the graduation of our center fielder last season,” McKillip said.

Another returnee who will figure into the mix is senior Matt Prignitz, who can play either left or right field. The Marion, Iowa, native had an unbelievable fall with the bat as he led everyone hitting .440 with two homers and 16 RBIs in just 50 at bats. In addition to seeing time in the outfield, Matt will most likely be Jackets’ designated hitter this spring.

Sophomores Rafael Cedeno and Chris Ricketts give the Jackets tremendous depth at all three positions in the outfield. Both players have made huge strides with the bat and Ricketts gives the Jackets speed off the bench and Cedeno another strong arm from the outfield.

The Schedule

Graceland’s 2006 schedule includes 24 games against teams that advanced to 2005 NAIA regional play and four games against teams that advanced to last season’s College World Series. The Jackets open the 2006 slate Feb. 18 in Fulton, Mo., against the William Woods Owls, a Region V opponent.

The Jackets then travel to Point Lookout, Mo., with four games in three days against Central Baptist, conference foe Culver-Stockton and College of the Ozarks. Graceland then returns home for a Saturday double-header against World Series qualifier Briar Cliff before jumping on a charter and heading to Minneapolis, Minn., to play four games in the Metrodome, home of the Minnesota Twins. The Heart of America schedule begins March 11 at Central Methodist followed by hosting Lindenwood University and Missouri Valley College.