Mansfield University
2008 Baseball Outlook

After 21 seasons, head coach Harry Hillson has gone back to the drawing board and revamped the Mountaineers following a rare disappointing non-playoff performance last season.

Fans will need a scorecard to follow the 2008 Mansfield University baseball team through at least the early weeks of the season.

You will see a lot of changes starting with the addition of new assistant coach Chris Francis. Recognized for his recruiting skills and pitching knowledge, Francis has already almost completely rebuilt a pitching staff that finished last in the PSAC in ERA last season.

Seven new faces will bolster the staff that also returns last year’s freshman sensation Eric Rosenberger (Dillsburg/Northern).  A lefty, Rosenberger finished his freshman season with a 4-4 mark and ranked among the PSAC leaders in ERA (2.87). Junior Irvin Sleighter (Chambersburg/Chambersburg) is expected to make an immediate impact on the starting rotation where he will be matched with Rosenberger.

 Also expected to join the conference rotation is transfer Justin Garcia (Blandon/Fleetwood) and sophomore Shane Ryan (Levittown/Neshaminy). Ryan posted a 2-2 mark with five starts as a freshman last season.

The top four starters will be pushed hard by returner Zach Ullrich (Camp Hill/Cedar Cliff) and transfers Chris Zelko (Horseheads,NY/Horseheads) and Chad Smith (York/York Catholic).

Middle relief and setup responsibilities are expected to be shared by junior returners Nate Grove (Williamsport/Williamsport), and Trevor Tellip (Jermyn/Lakeland). Transfers Rick Stewart (Reading/Muhlenburg) and Joe Will (Easton/Easton) will also see action out of Coach Hillson’s bullpen.

Junior Tyler Noel (Irvona/Glendale) and Freshman Mike Martin (Stevensville/Wyalusing) will vie for the closer role.

Junior Justin Baer (Williamsport/Williamsport) is projected to start at catcher after appearing in 16 games last season. Fellow junior Tony Battisti (Horseheads,NY/Horseheads) will also see time behind the dish along with transfer Abram Yeakel (Kutztown/Kutztown).

The infield returns plenty of experience with three of the four positions returning starters from last season.

If he’s not catching, Yeakel will play first base along with sophomore Chris Coleman (Carbondale/Carbondale) and Tellip.

Junior Matt Young (Huntingdon/Huntingdon) started 37 games at second base last season where he batted .294. Young is penciled in to start at second again this season but could also move to the outfield. Junior Drew Bair (Phoenix,AZ/Mountainridge) had a strong off- season and could move into an everyday position somewhere in the infield. Freshmen Mike Hartz (Doylestown/Central Bucks West) and Lance Ratchford (Oneonta,NY/Oneonta) will provide backup.

Senior captain Ryan Giblin (Feasterville/Neshaminy) is a two-time All-PSAC East selection at shortstop where he will once again anchor the infield. Giblin started all 38 games last season batting .291. Bair Ratchford and Hartz could all see time at short if needed.

Cody Stinger (Chambersburg/Chambersburg) returns at third where he started 20 games last season before suffering a season ending injury. Stinger led the team in hitting with .359 averaging while hitting two home runs and driving in 18 RBI’s in his abbreviated season. Pitchers Justin Garcia and Trevor Tellip could also see time at third when not on the mound.

Nate Grove is a two-year starter on in right field and will do so again this season. Grove batted .280 in 2007 with 19 RBI’s.  Sophomore Chris Miller (Kenvil,NJ/Roxbury) appeared in 28 games as a freshman including 20 starts. A .344 hitter last year, Miller is projected to start in center.

Junior Ryan Riley (Windsor,NY/Windsor) had a strong off-season and should start in left field. Riley has good range and batted .258 in limited action last season Sophomore Chris Coleman (Carbondale/Carbondale) and freshman Jared Johnson (Wyalusing/Wyalusing) will provide depth, along with sophomore Nick Martyak (Doylestown, Central Bucks West).

Who starts at the DH spot will probably be determined by the pitching rotation with Justin Garcia, Abram Yeakel, and Trevor Tellip available for duty along with freshman Mike Hartz.

Mansfield is scheduled to open the season with a trip to West Virginia Wesleyan and Concord University starting on Feb. 22 followed by doubleheader at California (PA) on March 1 before 16 games in Ft. Pierce, FL starting on Mar. 6.