2005 Baseball Preview

Published: April 13, 2021

GREENVILLE, Ill. - The arrival of spring brings with it the 59th year of baseball at Greenville College. The Orange and Black will once again take the field this spring endeavoring to honor their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with their efforts and attitudes on the field of play.The season will hold some significant challenges. Sixteen of the 30 players on the Panther roster will be new to the program. However, with this challenge comes enthusiasm, excitement, and anticipation of the development that these new players will exhibit this season.Additionally, the Panthers will need to account for the loss of four seniors to graduation last spring. This will be no easy task. Three of the four starting infielders were among those seniors and arguably the two best pitchers on the staff.Marty Roth and Jeremy Knapp held down the middle infield defensively for the Orange and Black last season and a new cast will replace them this spring. Scott Hostetler, who was the SLIAC Conference Player of the Year last season, and Joe Eddy, although hampered by injuries, were both big contributors on the mound. Hostetler, in fact, either led the team or finished second in virtually every offensive statistic such as home runs, RBI, batting average, and runs scored.The good news, however, is that the Panthers do return six of their nine hitters, and most of those that are new to the lineup were significant contributors to last year's team. Additionally, the Panther return each of their top four pitchers in terms of innings pitched from last season. So, despite the big losses due to graduation, the Panthers have many reasons to be hopeful heading into the 2005 season.The biggest asset for the Panthers this spring will be the offense. Although there have been some very good hitters lost, the Panthers return many solid hitters from last season who have improved and look forward to proving it this spring.Returning at the top of the order for the Panthers will be senior Tony Peper (.320 avg., 3 HR, 28 RBI, 18 SB) who returns in left field. Sophomore Zach Roberts (.276 avg, 7 SB) returns as the two-hole hitter and the right fielder.In the middle of the order, three-year starter Kris Zalman (.342, 32 RBI) returns as the team's backstop, and sophomore Kyle Loucks (.342, 5 HR, 24 RBI) returns at first base and designated hitter.Also returning to the lineup will be junior Mike Malisia (.284, 3 HR, 33 RBI, 9 SB), who will once again anchor the outfield in center. Junior first baseman David Chedester (.370 OBP, 23 RBI) also returns for the Panthers on offense.Other returning hitters will include senior Josh Weinhandl (.276 avg), who started 18 games for the Panthers last season and will hold down third base on defense. Sophomore shortstop Trevor Willms (.250 avg, 20 AB) is steady defensively and will add a bat control hitter to the lineup. Junior Jeremiah Knackstedt (.269 avg, .451 OBP) was one of the most improved players on the Panthers' team last season had some big hits and received some valuable experience behind the plate.The Panthers have added some significant bats as well with some very solid freshman players. Fourteen freshman will swing the bat for the Panthers this spring. Those likely to see some at bats at the varsity level include Zac Atkins, Tyler Burns, and Michael Haynes. Other freshman hitters are Cory Anderson, Aaron Albrecht, Casey Burford, Ryan Chapman, Stephen Kraft, John Paty, Andrew Redding, Andy Rincker, Mike Scott, Jake Smith, Sturling Steele, and Tyler VanDeveer.Pitching will be a critical component of this year's Panthers as it certainly is with every team. While the Panthers return some significant pitchers from last season, some improvement is needed to take this team to the next level.The staff will be led this spring by two seniors, Mike Jones and Lance Cary. Mike is coming off of a solid junior year when he went 4-2. Mike must improve his command both in and out of the strike zone to achieve his potential. Lance returns to this year's team after a four-year hiatus from college. He brings maturity, leadership, and ability to the team. If Lance remains healthy, he will really help the pitching staff this spring.Returning to the starting rotation will be sophomore Tony Glosser, who is coming off of shoulder surgery from this past fall. He hopes to be ready by the conference season. Sophomore Brooks Fleetwood also returns to the mound for the Panthers after gaining some valuable experience as a freshman, when he was fourth on the team in innings pitched.Sophomore Dave DeJulio also returns and was perhaps the most consistent pitcher this past fall for the Panthers. Coming out of the bullpen last season to finish third on the team in innings pitched was current senior Josh Weinhandl. Josh will probably play a similar role this spring on the mound.Several freshman pitchers will also toe the rubber for the Panthers this spring and each of them could throw some valuable innings at some point. They include David Goodman, Cory Anderson, Casey Burford, Tyler Burns, Andy Rincker, and Sturling Steele.Overall, the Panthers are deep on the mound and with some development should translate into greater success. Defensively, the Panthers are an improved team. Having lost three out of four infielders you probably wouldn't think that to be the case. However, the team has been fortunate to have some young players gain valuable experience last season and are all the more prepared this season to handle the rigors and pressures of college baseball.Sophomore Trevor Willms at shortstop and senior Josh Weinhandl at third base will both do well in replacing their predecessors defensively. In addition, at second base the Panthers have several capable young players who will be able to fill the void more than adequately. The outfield is probably the area where the Panthers excel the most defensively with three returning starters, anchored by junior centerfielder Mike Malisia, a three-year starter there.Also for the third consecutive season in left field is senior Tony Peper. Sophomore Zach Roberts will see most of the action as the returning rightfielder, but he could end up playing several positions before it is all done with several freshmen ready to step in in his absence.Senior Kris Zalman is for the third consecutive season as number one catcher, backed up by very capable junior Jeremiah Knackstedt. Junior David Chedester returns to the starting lineup for the third consecutive season at first base and will likely share some of the responsibilities with sophomore Kyle Loucks.We hope that you will make an effort to get out and watch the 2005 Greenville College Baseball Panthers this spring. It is sure to be another exciting season out at Robert E. Smith Field. Come out and cheer the Panthers on to victory.