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2012 Outlook
2012 Geneva College Baseball
“Making a First Impression”
The Geneva College baseball team, much like the rest of the Golden Tornadoes athletic department, has been waiting patiently for the opportunity to compete as an official member of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. With the four-year NCAA Division III provisional phase in the rear view mirror, the Golden Tornadoes have their chance beginning with the 2012 campaign.
Geneva is coming off of a 20-17 season in 2011 that saw it finish with a 9-11 mark against PAC foes. The 2012 Golden Tornadoes will feature the return of much of its offensive core of players along with a handful of pitchers that saw significant action a year ago. Leadership shouldn’t be a concern for 24-year head coach Alan Sumner. Sumner’s group includes seven seniors on the roster, all of which have made contributions during their tenure. “This is a pretty special group,” says Sumner. “I think the most important attribute a team can have is a willingness to work hard. This group of seniors demands that type of attitude across the board. When your best players are also your hardest workers, it can be an exciting mix.”
Five of those returning seniors will most likely find themselves in the everyday line-up for Geneva in 2012. Shortstop Mike Suluva is coming off a season that saw him hit .331 while tying for the team lead with 42 hits. Suluva will be joined in the infield by fellow-senior first baseman Noah Medich. Medich enjoyed his best season with the Golden Tornadoes a year ago with a .321 average while committing just two errors with a .993 fielding percentage.
Geneva’s jack of all trades Joel Gatti returns for a fifth year after receiving a medical hardship for a significant leg injury in 2010. Gatti hit .310 while bouncing around the field from infield, outfield and also spending time behind the plate. Adam Scheiderer should see the bulk of the time at the catcher position this season following a .317 season with a team best five home runs. Rounding out the senior class of offensive firepower is outfielder Jon Bushmire. Bushmire also hit above .300 in 2011 and will once again provide a left handed stick in the middle of the line-up.
In addition to the elder statesmen, the Golden Tornadoes have a handful of younger players that should also make an impact this season. Mike Jeffreys, who will be one of the pitching foundations for Geneva this season, will also be looked upon for offensive production. A year ago, Jeffreys hit .301 with a team best 24 RBI. Adam Teets and Jeremy Herzog return after solid freshmen campaigns that saw each of them turn solid performances. Herzog hit .338 while making just three errors and posting a .973 fielding percentage at second base. Teets also saw a lot of time at third base with 16 hits and 12 RBI. “We are looking forward to some of our younger guys from a year ago step up in a big way this season,” says Sumner. “Having the chance to play so much as freshmen, should pay dividends this year.”
Geneva’s pitching staff will be a combination of experience and youthful arms. Seniors Mike Trn and Tad Forsythe highlight a talented group of arms. Trn led the staff with five wins a year ago in nine starts. Forsythe made eight appearances in 2011 and posted a 2-1 record with a 5.40 ERA. Jeffreys, who saw limited action a year ago, should be ready to go with a healthy arm after appearing in only three games last year. Caleb Kilgore will also return from a solid freshman season that was highlighted by three victories in just seven appearances. “Winning baseball games is so much about being consistent on the mound,” says Sumner. “We are fortunate to have some experience coming back in that area but will also need several guys to give us significant innings. This staff can be very good and they have all worked extremely hard to prepare for this year.”
A handful of newcomers, both in the field and on the mound, will help to provide Geneva with depth and production across the board. That youthful energy will help to counteract a competitive non-conference schedule as well as a challenging schedule within the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. “We are very much looking forward to this season,” says Sumner. “I am proud of the work that has gone into making this season a success. We are hopeful that all that work will pay off in success on the field.”