William Penn University 2014 Baseball Preview
William Penn University Athletics
2013 record: 23-18 (12-8 MCC, 1st)
Starters returning/lost: 4/5 fielders; 4/6 pitchers
Letterwinners returning/lost: 7/13
Notable returners:
Enrique Alvarado, Sr., Lancaster, Calif.
(First-team all-MCC, .322, 26 R, 13 RBI
Corey Lathram, Sr., Brentwood, Calif.
(First-team all-MCC, 5-2, 2.91 ERA, 44 K)
Stan Simmons, Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y.
(First-team all-MCC, .313, 2 HR, 36 R, 26 RBI)
Kyle Mauricio, Sr., Ardene Hills, Minn.
(Honorable-mention all-MCC, .331, 26 R, 26 RBI)
Notable losses:
Jayme Mueller
(All-conference)
Danny Erece
(Two-time letterwinner)
Nick Kirby
(Two-time letterwinner)
Nathan Wood
(Two-time letterwinner)
Notable newcomers:
Patrick Roxbury, Jr., Canyon Country, Calif.
Sho Serrano, Jr., Lancaster, Calif.
Ryan Keeton, Jr., McCordsville, Ind.
Kenny Hall, Jr., Morgan Hill, Calif.
Headlined by four returning all-conference players who led the squad to league hardware last spring, the Statesmen baseball team hopes to be even better as it tries to defend the crown in 2014.
William Penn was just 23-18 last year, including a 12-8 mark in the Midwest Collegiate Conference. A 6-1 record down the stretch, though, helped the navy and gold pick up its fifth MCC title and 13th overall.
“We finished strong in the conference; I could not have been happier with the outcome at the end of the year,” Head Coach Mike Laird said. “I really felt that our players got as much out of their ability as any team I have had in a long time. They stuck together and performed very well in close games.”
2013 all-MCC performers Enrique Alvarado (Sr., Lancaster, Calif., Sociology), Corey Lathram (Sr., Brentwood, Calif.), Stan Simmons (Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y., Physical Education), and Kyle Mauricio (Sr., Arden Hills, Minn., Physical Education) will all step back onto the diamond for their final campaigns, attempting to replicate their late-year success throughout the entire 2014 season.
“Having four all-league players back in itself is really encouraging,” Laird said. “Beyond that, unfortunately, we are a little shy on much else. We lost several key players from last year like (pitchers) Danny Erece and Jayme Mueller, (infielder) Nathan Wood, and (outfielder) Joel Medina who are gone to graduation, so we went out and tried to replace them as best we could.”
With only Alvarado back at shortstop, replenishing WPU’s infield was the coaching staff’s main priority.
“We needed help in several areas, but especially in the infield,” Laird said. “We are not as deep as we would like to be, particularly in the infield, but our projected starters are very strong.”
Pitcher
After his first year at William Penn garnered postseason recognition, Lathram enters 2014 as his team’s top hurler. The senior captain was 5-2 with a 2.91 Earned Run Average and struck out 44 batters. Lathram was the staff workhorse, appearing in 20 games for a total of 46 1/3 innings.
“Corey was tremendous last year and might have been our team’s MVP,” Laird said. “He entered in pressure situations and shut the door late in games.”
Unfortunately, behind Lathram, things thin out for William Penn in regards to players with mound experience, but three individuals who did see some time last year are projected to pick up a lot of slack this spring.
Josh Ruiz (Jr., Chula Vista, Calif., General Mathematics), Kyle Maldonado (Jr., Centerville, Iowa, Physical Education), and Jacob Logan (Sr., Galesburg, Ill., Psychology) all suffered early-season injuries and were ‘shut down’ before WPU made its move in the MCC.
Ruiz tossed just one game, while Maldonado was 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA (14 K’s) in 15 1/3 frames. Logan had the most time on the hump, going 1-2 with a 2.41 ERA (26 K’s) in 18 2/3 innings.
“It is going to be great to have all three of these guys through an entire season,” Laird said. “Josh really knows how to pitch and will fight for our #1 spot. Kyle and Jacob both possess a lot of skills that will help them be successful.”
Newcomers Jon Davis (Jr., Hayward, Calif., Undecided) and Matt Vasquez (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Business Management) have been impressive since walking onto campus and may also figure into starting spots.
“Jon is a hard-throwing, tall rightie, while Matt threw a lot of innings at his junior college and knows how to pitch,” Laird said.
Although only a freshman, Kyle Kutzler (Fr., Kenosha, Wis., Industrial Technology), the son of former WPU star and professional player Jerry Kutzler, has the makings of someone who could also get plenty of opportunities.
“In addition to having the right pedigree, he is a tall and strong pitcher,” Laird said. “Freshmen do not normally get many chances, but I can see us using him quite a bit as he develops.”
2013 redshirt Rafael Villafana (Sr., Sylmar, Calif., Communications) will join newcomers Juvenal Terrazas (Jr., Sylmar, Calif., Physical Education) and Willy Potter (Jr., Santa Cruz, Calif., Biology) as ‘situational’ hurlers. Returners Kyle Van Gorden (So., Littleton, Colo., Mechanical Engineering) and Nick Minot (Sr., Winnetka, Calif., History/Government) and incoming freshman Sean Powers (Council Bluffs, Iowa, Mechanical Engineering) will add depth as will Aaron Broyles (Sr., Escondido, Calif., Physical Education) and Jason Johnson (Sr., Geneseo, Ill., Industrial Technology), who are transitioning from four years as Statesmen football players.
“Aaron and Jason came to me and asked if they could play this spring,” Laird said. “They both have decent arm strength, but it is too early to project how they will fit into the picture since they have not played in so long.”
“I like our pitching staff, but it is certainly a work in progress,” Laird said. “We have three guys who had seasons shortened last year and I am anxious to see what they can do in a full year. A lot will depend on how soon we mature and settle in.”
Catcher
The receiving end of the battery will be like that of many other infield positions as no one returns with any prior experience in the navy and gold. Although he has never donned a Statesmen uniform, newcomer Patrick Roxbury (Jr., Canyon Country, Calif., Sociology) enters with strong junior college credentials.
“Patrick is our only non-senior captain because he is such a leader,” Laird said. “He is definitely one of the best catchers I have ever had and does a great job managing the pitching staff; everyone wants to work with him. He is a no-nonsense guy who takes care of business and has pro-level arm strength.”
Backing Roxbury up will be three other very competent players, including his JUCO teammate Matt Emerson (Jr., Saugus, Calif., Business Management). Fellow newcomers Ryan Marshall (Jr., Quartz Hill, Calif., Sociology) and Mitch Schlickenmayer (Fr., Yucca Valley, Calif., Mechanical Engineering) will add talented depth as well.
“Matt runs and throws well, and in any other season he might be our starter,” Laird said. “Ryan throws well, but needs to work a bit on the receiving end, while Mitch works hard and is a pretty good catcher for a freshman.”
First Base
Kenny Hall (Jr., Morgan Hill., Calif., Exercise Science), one of the team’s top recruits, has the inside track at first base and will provide some much-needed power.
Laird expects Nick Perez (So., Greeley, Colo., Physical Education) to serve as Hall’s backup in his first year at William Penn.
Second Base
Sho Serrano (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Physical Education) also comes in with high marks and should feel comfortable working opposite of his junior college teammate Alvarado.
“Sho is a physical talent and a workaholic,” Laird said. “He has a lot of tools to do really well.”
If Serrano were to slip up or get injured, Laird does not expect much of a drop in talent as freshman Collin Schulz (Ottumwa, Iowa, Undecided) is sitting in the wings.
“Collin is of the best Iowa kids we have had in a long time,” Laird said. “He can hit and run and will also back us up at shortstop. He, like Kyle Kutzler, is likely going to see action in his first collegiate season.”
Returner Chris Bartmann (So., Washington, Iowa, Secondary Education) has improved and will add depth, as will freshman Ryan Herridge (Elmwood, Ill., Elementary Education).
Shortstop
Alvarado, the only returning infield starter, is a lock at shortstop where he earned first-team all-MCC and league Gold Glove honors in 2013. The senior hit .322 with 26 runs scored and 13 RBIs.
“Enrique looks really good and is a great leader,” Laird said. “He does everything well and is coachable.”
Third Base
The hot corner will also feature a new body with 2013 redshirt William Vazquez (Fr., North Hollywood, Calif., General Accounting) finally dig into the dirt this year.
“Willie is much improved; I think he is going to be a really good player as his career progresses,” Laird said. “He may also spend time at short if we need him.”
Adding depth behind Vazquez will be Perez, returner Caleb Cline (Sr., Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Physical Education), and 2013 redshirt John Sanchez (Jr., Ontario, Calif., Sociology).
Cline saw limited action last year.
Left Field
Mauricio, one of five team captains, is coming off an honorable-mention campaign. He leads all returners with a .331 batting clip in addition to 26 runs scored and 26 RBIs.
“Kyle did not play a lot of outfield before coming here last season, but through experience, he looks really good,” Laird said. “He is much improved defensively, and has great speed that helps him get on base at a high rate.”
Center Field
Speaking of speed, fellow captain Simmons has it in bunches. The 2013 first-team nod and Gold Glove recipient batted .313 with 36 runs scored and 26 RBIs.
“Stan is really fast, but also makes good contact so he will likely move to the third spot in our lineup,” Laird said. “He can track down almost anything with his quickness.”
Right Field
Cory DeRush (Jr., Grand Junction, Colo., Business Management) will only add to WPU’s outfield speed as he joins the squad this year.
“An extremely quick player, Cory will probably be our leadoff batter,” Laird said. “He does a lot of good things at the plate.”
While competing for time behind the dish, Emerson will also serve as a fourth outfielder for the Statesmen.
“This is one of the fastest outfields we have had in a quite a while,” Laird said. “There should not be a lot of balls that just drop in.”
Designated Hitter
Brian Williams (Sr., Los Angeles, Calif., Physical Education) and newcomer Ryan Keeton (Jr., McCordsville, Ind., Biology) are currently batting for the starting position at designated hitter with Keeton holding a slight edge.
Williams posted a .287 batting average a year ago with one home run, 24 RBIs and 19 runs scored. The senior, who may also play in the outfield, appeared on the mound as well, going 1-3 with an 8.26 ERA (23 K’s).
“All in all, we should be quicker and will hope to run a little more,” Laird said. “We expect our lineup to be much stronger from top to bottom.”
Schedule
The 2014 campaign begins February 22 with a doubleheader at Missouri Valley. WPU’s spring break opens with a quadrupleheader against Central Baptist in Arkansas on February 28-March 1 before traveling to Florida for its ‘traditional’ contests.
“We play some interesting teams this year,” Laird said. “Coincidentally, we face four programs from the Heart of America Athletic Conference (the league WPU will join in two years). We play a lot of games during spring break and will find out a lot about ourselves after that week.”
Conference
The Statesmen were picked second in the preseason coaches’ poll behind defending tournament champion Grand View. Clarke, St. Ambrose, and Viterbo followed closely behind.
“After seeing previews from the other league teams, there appears to be a lot of good new players so the MCC should be stronger,” Laird said. “I could see St. Ambrose being really tough with all they have back and coming in. Grand View will obviously be in there, but in my opinion, Clarke actually has the pitching back on its roster. Those three stick out the most, but Mount Mercy and Viterbo may also be solid. AIB is new so I do not know what to expect from them.”
“I am really looking forward to this year,” Laird said. “We have some high-character guys and our chemistry is good. Our guys have bought in and play hard. While it will take a big effort to repeat our conference title, winning is fun and we have a chance to have a lot of fun this year. Although our depth is lacking a bit, if we can stay healthy, we can be in it.”
