2005 Baseball Preview
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2005 brings a new look for the Bears; replacing some long time varsity starters will be many new faces. Returning eight lettermen the Bears will have some experience to go along with the new additions. This year's team will be focusing on defense and playing their own version of "Small Ball." Carrying the pitching load will be senior Jeremy Robert, sophomore Erik Fiegel, freshmen Jimmy Yablonski, Thomas Wheeler, and Phil Morgan. Wheeler will also be logging in at catcher. Senior captain Paul Beck will share shortstop duties with Fiegel and senior Ted Hancock will take up first base. The Bears will also return starters at second (junior Ryan Hultstrand) and centerfold (senior, captain John Wessbecker). Wessbecker will also be back in his leadoff role, acting as the catalyst in the batting order.
Competition in the Tri-Metro should be more even than in recent years. Saint Bernard’s and Breck will be the early favorites, but the league may be more balanced due to the competitive nature to every game. Steve Johnson will again take the reins as head coach for his 25th year. George Blackwell, Nick Rathmann, and Nate Davis will assist him.
Coach Johnson remarks, “This will be an interesting year for the us. It should start out as a retooling year, but depending how quickly our younger players grow into their roles, we may be very competitive by play-off time. Even though we are only a few weeks into the year, the practices have been marked by enthusiasm, competition and a spirited determination to succeed.”
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