I am extremely excited for the start of my fourth year at Wabash and my first as the head baseball coach. Our fall season is right around the corner, starting on Saturday, September 9th. It is a bit surreal to see the incoming freshmen already strolling around campus. After a full year of non-stop calls, visits, games, and letters, they are now on campus as Wabash Men. Equally as surreal, is seeing the student-athletes who were freshmen my first year at Wabash (as an assistant), now strutting their stuff around campus as mighty seniors. In many ways, their growth at Wabash parallels my own.

I have inherited a very healthy and talented program. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my mentor and dear friend, former head coach Tom Flynn. Tom, having been the first full-time baseball coach at Wabash and the first to coach in the North Coast Athletic Conference, created a program that is now respected throughout the NCAC, Division III, and the nation. Any success we experience in the future is directly related to the team that Tom Flynn built. With that said, we are ready to take the next step!

The make-up of the Little Giant baseball team this year is remarkable. We begin the fall with a roster made-up of players from nine different states. We return 14 lettermen, while graduating eight seniors from the class of 2006. Four of our returning players earned team awards in 2006: Matt Dodaro - Saint John, IN (Rookie of the Year), David Culp - DeKalb, IL (Golden Glove), Shaun Rico – Phoenix, AZ (Golden Glove), and Chris Schmaltz – Greenwood, IN (Outstanding Pitcher). Matt and Chris also garnered Honorable Mention All-NCAC honors. In addition to our returning players, this incoming class of freshmen could possibly be the most talented in Wabash Baseball history. Members of the Class of 2010 include: Kyle Rush – Lafayette, IN, Dan Metz - Kokomo, IN, Jake Lee – New Palestine, IN, Travis Stirling - Thornton, IL, Tony Goodpaster - Avon, IN, Ben Humphreys – Tucson, AZ, Keegan Leckrone - Park Forest, IL, Rob Harvey – Dover, MA, Nathan Schrader – Lafayette, IN, Kyle Platt – Elkhart, IN, and Willie Matis - Indianapolis, IN.

Two of our returning lettermen, sophomores Jake Thomas – Evanston, IL and Andy Weeks – LaPorte, IN, had the honor of competing in the prestigious Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League this past summer. The GLSCL is one of eight NCAA sanctioned summer wood bats leagues throughout the country, partially funded by Major League Baseball and comprised mostly of Division I players. It is the premier collegiate summer league in the Midwest. Jake and Andy spent their time in Granville, Ohio competing for the Granville Settlers. The Settlers, a new franchise in the GLSCL, finished fourth overall in the league. Jake finished the summer with the third best batting average for the Settlers, while starting 31 of 40 games. Andy posted a 3.16 ERA, making him fourth best statistically on their pitching staff. We have been fortunate as a program to have five players in the past three summers compete in the Great Lakes, including senior catcher Scott Hamilton – Indianapolis, IN. Our coaching staff this season will have a great blend of young energy, experience, and knowledge.

Jared Bogan ’06 will return as an assistant after completing his career at Wabash as one of the most decorated players in history. Jared was named to ESPN The Magazine’s Academic All-America Baseball First Team, as well as garnering All-NCAC Honors in 2005 and 2006. In addition, Jared won the 2006 Pete Vaughan Outstanding Athlete Award, the Indianapolis Association of Wabash Men Student-Athlete Award, and the NCAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. Jared is third in Wabash history in home runs and RBIs, and second in career doubles. He will spend his time working with hitters and infielders.

Tom Perkins will enter his fourth year as a member of the baseball coaching staff.  He will continue to work with the Little Giant outfielders. Tom, a native of Crawfordsville and graduate of Ball State University, is also in charge of the athletic equipment room.  In addition to coaching, Tom will oversee all community partnership events the baseball program participates in this year.  Tom has been a tremendous help both on and off of the field to our players and staff during my time at Wabash.

Ryan Flynn will join the baseball coaching staff for his first year. In addition to overseeing the baseball strength and conditioning program, Ryan will coach tight ends for the football team in the fall. Ryan played five seasons of football at the University of Maryland as a tight end and offensive lineman. During his time at Maryland, Ryan competed in the 2002 FedEx Orange Bowl, the 2002 Chic-fil-A Peach Bowl, and the 2004 Toyota Gator Bowl.

To say the least, I am pumped about getting underway this fall. Our coaching staff and players are ready and willing to take Wabash Baseball to the next level. It should be one heck of a ride. I hope to see you around the diamond this fall!

“Deserve to Win!”

Cory Stevens