2006 Baseball Preview

Published: April 13, 2021

GREENVILLE, Ill. - In the spring of 2005, the Greenville Panthers completed their season with a 16-5 conference mark and a 23-19 regular season record. The third place finish was deceiving in that the Panthers were really only one win against conference champion Webster University away from ending in a three-way tie for first place in the regular season. In the conference tournament, the Panthers lost two one-run ballgames to end their season. The Panthers started the season with a 6-10 record on their return from Florida, but rallied to win 17 of their last 26 games to finish the season. Overall, it was a very satisfying year.The 2006 Panthers lost five seniors from last season's squad. Those seniors combined for 13 of the 23 victories on the mound and 80 of the 205 RBI. It will be difficult to replace those innings and victories on the mound, and it will be difficult to replace that run production. But the Panthers have a very good group of returning hitters and have added some good hitters and quality arms through recruitment as well. The 2006 team will be a much different team than its predecessor, but not necessarily any less talented or with any less potential. It will be an interesting spring without a doubt.This spring's team will be built around the offense. The Panthers return several important hitters from last year?s squad. Senior Mike Malisia (.358, 4 HR, 22 RBI), led the team in doubles, triples, and home runs. Mike will hit from the middle of the order and help produce runs again this spring. Also returning to the offense is junior Zach Roberts (.252, 17 RBI). Zach hit in the two-hole for the Panthers last spring and is very patient at the plate and handles the bat well. Zach will hit in the top half of the order again this spring. Junior Kyle Loucks (.288, 3 HR, 20 RBI) also returns to the Panther lineup after earning his second straight all-conference selection. Kyle will hit in the middle of the order again this year. Returning to the offense for his sophomore season is Zac Atkins (.368, 22 RBI). Zac led the team in average and hit well with two strikes while hitting out of the three-hole. Zac will be a key contributor again for the offense. Tyler Burns (.339, 22 RBI, 12 SB), a sophomore shortstop, returns to the Panthers after being selected all-conference honorable mention last season. Tyler will hit at the top of the order this spring. Senior Jeremiah Knackstedt (.237, 16 RBI) will assume the duties behind the plate this spring after serving as the DH and backup catcher the last two years. Jeremiah brings leadership and experience to the team after getting valuable innings in important games each of the last two years.Players that will be challenging for the remaining roles in the Panther offense include junior Adam Quine, sophomores Ryan Chapman, Michael Haynes, Stephen Kraft, John Paty, Mike Scott, and Sturling Steele. The freshman position players who will compete for playing time with the varsity and junior varsity will be Carter Burford, Josh Hamel, Brad Hecht, Dan Marsh, Stefan Neece, Wesley Reyes, Colby Rothrock, and Brian Stoff.The pitching staff is where the most questions lie for the Panther team. The returning pitchers sported a combined record of 10-8 last season, but only two of the returning pitchers started more than one game last spring. Junior Tony Glosser (4-4, 6.48 ERA) returns this season after being in the rotation for both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Tony throws strikes and changes speeds well. When he has command of his third pitch, he can be tough. Sophomore Andy Rincker (3-2, 5.62 ERA) will try to continue his improvement on the mound. Last season he started seven games for the Panthers and threw some valuable innings out of the bullpen as well. Returning for his sophomore campaign is Casey Burford (1-0, 4.50 ERA). Casey developed well at the junior varsity level last spring and earned some valuable innings with the varsity late in the season. Other pitchers that will push for innings this spring for the Panthers include junior Kyle Bruce, sophomores Tyler Burns, Stephen Kraft, and Sturling Steele, as well as freshmen Heath Erwin, Brent Kirchhofer, and Brian Stoff.Defensively, the Panthers return five of the eight starting position players from last year's team. Vying for Tony Peper's vacated outfield position will be three sophomores, Stephen Kraft, Mike Scott, and Sturling Steele. The Panthers will replace Josh Weinhandl with either returning sophomore Michael Haynes or junior transfer Adam Quine. Filling the receiving duties of the departed Kris Zalman behind the plate will be senior Jeremiah Knackstedt. The backup catching duties will be filled by freshmen Josh Hamel or Brad Hecht.The Panthers are excited about opening up the 60th season of baseball at Greenville College. This year's schedule is one of the toughest in recent memory and will challenge the Panthers to be prepared each and every time they take the field. More importantly the Panthers will strive to meet the challenge of representing Greenville College and ultimately Jesus Christ with their efforts and attitudes on the field. Please come out and support your Greenville College Panther baseball team.