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Coach Art MulletAsst. Coaches Scott Ferguson, Mark Trout |
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Alumni win game during Centennial Celebration
For the first since 2001, the Alumni baseball team
defeated the Varsity Larks 9-3, in the annual Alumni baseball game, Saturday,
Sept. 26, 2009.
The game was one of many events on the historic
Homecoming/Centennial celebration weekend. Only eight alumni players participated,
but Casey Funk, 2002 grad, dominated the game, in both pitching and hitting categories.
Funk pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 4 hits and 2 runs, but also
collected 2 hits and 3 RBIs at the plate.
The varsity Larks used seven
pitchers, one each inning, and were led offensively by a Cody Carbajo
home run.
Alumni participants were Mark Trout, Bryan Miller, Lowell Wyse, Aaron Weber, Joel Herschberger, Derek Yoder, Rylan Miller, and Casey Funk.
Larks Make D-II All Region Baseball Team
Six of the 2009 Larks baseball team received All-Region honors last Spring. Sophomore Kirk Kelly received the award for the second time. Kelly was the Lark’s leading pitcher with a 4-2 record, and 2.52 earned run average, and also batted .321, playing outstanding defense in centerfield when not pitching. Travis Ebersole was the other sophomore earning the honor, batting .355, while playing on the infield.
Four frosh made the team – Lee Voth-Gaeddert, Jon Wilson, Dustin Linder, and Tyler Yoder. Voth –Gaeddert, playing at first base and outfield, led the team, and region, in hitting at .417. Infielder Wilson was close behind at .416. Linder, a utility player and pitcher, batted .375, while Yoder pitched and was an infielder/designated hitter batted .339. All four frosh, along with 10 additional 2009 first-year players, will return for the 2010 season.
Hesston College baseball strengthens pipeline from Sarasota (Fla.) Christian School with signing of shortstop Garrett Kurtz
Garrett Kurtz, a shortstop from Sarasota (Fla.) Christian School (SCS), has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Hesston College.
Kurtz lettered four years in baseball for SCS, and during his senior year was given the Coach’s Award, as well as earning all-area honors. Following his junior season, Kurtz was named the SCS Defensive Player of the Year.
Kurtz was a member of the two-time (2006-07) regional and district championship Sarasota Christian teams that advanced to the Florida class A final four.
On the honor roll for four years, Kurtz received Highest Academic Honors his senior year. A four-year member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Kurtz is a member at Bayshore Mennonite Church in Sarasota.
“I’m excited about playing baseball at the next level,” said Kurtz. “And I feel that Hesston will be a good fit for me.”
With the signing, Kurtz becomes the latest in a long line of recent SCS products to join the Hesston program. Since 2005, at least one SCS grad has been on the Hesston College roster every season. Drew Ebersole (’06 Hesston College grad), Brad Rohaty (’07), Derek Ebersole (’09), Travis Ebersole (’09), and current Larks standout Tyler Yoder have all enjoyed success in a Hesston uniform, and head coach Art Mullet expects more of the same from Kurtz.
“Garrett brings excellent baseball skills to our program as well as a competitive high school ball experience,” explained Mullet. “He will do some pitching for us, as well as play an infield position. Garrett is another very fine student-athlete we have been fortunate to attract from Sarasota Christian School.”
Kurtz is the son of Marlin and Tami Kurtz, Sarasota.
Six players named to all-region team
Sophomores Kirk Kelly (Newton, Kan.) and Travis Ebersole (Sarasota, Fla.) and freshmen Lee Voth-Gaeddert (Hesston, Kan.), Dustin Linder (Louisville, Ohio), Jon Wilson (Hutchinson, Kan.), and Tyler Yoder (Sarasota, Fla.) were named to the All-Region VI National Junior College Athletic Association Division II baseball team.
Shawnee Mission Northwest High School grad Cody Carbajo signs to play baseball at Hesston College
Cody Carbajo, a middle infielder from Shawnee Mission Northwest high school in Shawnee, Kansas, has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Hesston College.
A career .400 hitter in high school ball, Carbajo, who also played football in high school, was a member of Shawnee’s 2008 team that captured the regional championship.
A gifted middle infielder and offensive player, Carbajo adds another strong bat to the Hesston lineup, and will look to be a key contributor for the Larks this fall.
“Cody brings a wealth of experience in competitive baseball,” said Hesston College coach Art Mullet. “I have no doubt he’ll be an immediate contributor.”
Carbajo is the son of Christopher and Cheryl Carbajo, Shawnee.
Pettisville High School grad Jared Avina signs to play baseball
 Jared Avina (center, front) signs a letter of intent to play baseball at Hesston College with his parents, Josie and Benny Avina beside him. Hesston College Admissions Counselor Andrew Sharp and Vice President of Admissions Joel Kauffman are in the back row. |
Jared Avina, an outfielder from Pettisville (Ohio) High School, has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Hesston College. Avina will compete for immediate playing time in a Hesston outfield that lost two regulars to graduation.
Avina lettered three years in baseball for Pettisville High, and was an important part of the Blackbirds success throughout his career.
A member of the district runner-up teams in both baseball and basketball, Avina was a three-sport athlete at Pettisville High, competing in soccer as well.
Avina is active in his youth group at Central Mennonite Church, Archbold.
"Jared and Hesston College will be a good match,” said Hesston College baseball coach Art Mullet. “He will not only bring many gifts to our baseball program, he will also be an asset to our campus community. I'm pleased he has decided to further his education and baseball career here at Hesston."
Avina is the son of Benny and Josie Avina, Pettisville.
Hesston College baseball announces first three signings of ’09 recruiting class
Hesston College baseball coach Art Mullet has announced the signings of three baseball players who will continue their athletic careers at Hesston. The three signees are:
- Ross Eastin, right-handed pitcher, Mesquite, Texas
- Austin Goering, INF/OF, Moundridge, Kan.
- Jacob Krane, OF, Georgetown, Ontario, Canada
Eastin, a right-handed pitcher from Mesquite, Texas, was 4-1 during his senior season with a 1.98 ERA. In 27 and 1/3 innings pitched for Rockwall Christian Academy, Eastin recorded 29 strikeouts while garnering all-state recognition, as well as first-team all district honors. Throughout his high school career, Eastin was a three-time all-state and all-district player.
During his sophomore year, Eastin was voted to the all-tournament team at the state finals, helping Rockwall to the state championship that year.
A member of the National Honor Society, Eastin also participated in drama and football at Rockwall.
“Ross’s drive and work ethic has helped our program the past three seasons,” said Rockwall Coach Caleb Palmer. “He’s going to be a great addition to Hesston College as a student-athlete.”
“Ross will be a good fit at Hesston,” added Coach Mullet. “He’s got a lot of upside, and will continue to improve and develop here. He’s a hard-working young man, dedicated and committed to excellence.”
Ross is the son of Mark and Tammy Eastin, Mesquite.
Goering, an infielder/outfielder from Moundridge, Kansas, has played a variety of positions for Moundridge High during his baseball career. Aside from baseball, Goering played four years of football as well.
Goering has excelled throughout his academic career at Moundridge, as he has been a mainstay on the honor roll, maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA in all four years of high school. Goering is also active in his church, Eden Mennonite, Moundridge.
According to Coach Mullet, Goering will contribute both on and off the field at Hesston. “We’re happy to have a quality young man such as Austin join our program,” said Mullet. “He will be a fine addition not only to our program, but to the campus community as well.”
Goering is the son of Sam and Marcia Goering, Moundridge.
Jacob Krane, an outfielder/catcher from Georgetown, Ontario, has played four years of high school baseball at Christ the King Secondary School, Georgetown. Krane also plays for the Oakville Royals, a summer travel team that plays in Canada and throughout the U.S.
 In the photo: (front) Bob Krane (father), Jake Krane, Teresa Krane (mother); (back) Art Mullet (Hesston College baseball coach) |
Krane also excels in the classroom, and is a Dean’s Scholarship recipient at Hesston College.
With the departure of Hesston sophomore outfielders Kirk Kelly and Derek Ebersole, Coach Art Mullet expects Krane to make an early contribution to the outfield mix this fall.
“Jake will be a good fit here,” commented Mullet. “He’s a gifted outfielder with a good background of playing on a quality traveling summer program. He’s also a dedicated student, and will excel both athletically and academically.”
Krane is the son of Bob and Teresa Krane, Georgetown.
Season comes to a close as Larks drop double-header to Brown Mackie
The Hesston College baseball season came to an unexpected end following a double-header sweep at the hands of regional rival Brown Mackie College (Salina, Kan.). The Lions won by scores of 7-5 and 14-3 to capture the three-game series and advance to district play.
The Larks jumped out to an early lead in game one, exploding for five early runs on 11 hits through three innings. The visitors chipped away, however, and squeaked by for the game one win.
Sophomores Travis Ebersole (Sarasota, Fla.) and Derek Ebersole (Sarasota, Fla.), and freshmen Cory Rychener (Hesston, Kan.), Blake Prince (Garland, Texas), and Grant Gonzalez (Cheyenne, Wyo.) each collected two hits in game one, while freshman right-hander Scott Stroberg (Hutchinson, Kan.) went the distance on the mound, surrendering seven hits and four earned runs over seven innings. Sophomore Travis Riesen (Hillsboro, Kan.) went 1-for-3 in the loss.
Brown Mackie jumped out early with four first-inning runs and cruised to a 14-3 win over Hesston in game two. Lee Voth-Gaeddert (Hesston, Kan.) and Derek Ebersole each recorded an RBI double.
Despite the early post-season exit, optimism runs high in the Hesston College baseball program, as a large returning freshman class will be paired with what is shaping up to be a stellar recruiting class in anticipation of another season of Larks baseball.
Southeast earns double-header sweep against Hesston
Hoping to continue their recent success, the Hesston College baseball team traveled north to Beatrice, Nebraska, to take on Southeast Community College, a team the Larks had split with during a home double-header earlier this season. Despite an outstanding pitching performance in game one, Hesston was on the short end of a 2-1 score, then fell 12-7 in the second game. The losses put Hesston at 17-14 on the year as playoffs near.
In game one, sophomore ace Kirk Kelly (Newton, Kan.) was at his best, turning in a complete-game four-hitter in the losing effort. Kelly surrendered just one earned run on the day, walking one with three strikeouts.
Lee Voth-Gaeddert (Hesston, Kan.) went 2-for-3 at the plate while scoring the lone Hesston run. Dustin Linder (Louisville, Ohio) reached base three times with a pair of singles, a walk, and a run batted in.
During the second game, the Southeast offense jumped out of the gate early, scoring 11 runs in the first three innings to complete the home sweep. Before the Southeast CC outburst, the Larks had scored first on a two-run home run to center by of Voth-Gaeddert.
Hesston stayed in the game with a three-run second, aided by a Tyler Yoder (Sarasota, Fla.) sacrifice fly to left that scored Travis Ebersole (Sarasota, Fla.) who had earlier singled.
In the Larks fourth, a Kelly sacrifice fly and an Alex Steiner (Kidron, Ohio) double scored Voth-Gaeddert and Yoder, respectively, to make it an 11-7 game. That would be as close as Hesston would get however, as SECC scored a late run to set the final of 12-7.
Hesston had nine hits in the game, led by freshman Cory Rychener (Hesston, Kan.), who had three singles and a run scored in four trips to the plate.
Voth-Gaeddert finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored and three knocked in.
Several Larks freshmen fueling Hesston success at the plate
Throughout the 2009 Hesston College baseball season, several freshmen have made significant contributions to the Larks offense, and many single-season records are in jeopardy of being broken.
One record that already has fallen is the single-season hitting streak, now owned by Lee Voth-Gaeddert (Hesston, Kan.). The local product had a recent 17-game hitting streak come to an end with a 0-for-3 game against Manhattan Christian. Voth-Gaeddert promptly recorded a 2-for-3 effort in game two of the double-header against Manhattan, starting what Coach Art Mullet hopes is another lengthy streak.
During Voth-Gaeddert’s tear, the freshman hit .422 (27-for-64), including six extra-base hits with 21 runs scored and 17 runs batted in. The previous record was held by Adam Jantzi, who had a 12-game hit streak during the 1992 season.
If the weather cooperates and Voth-Gaeddert keeps hitting, Nate Miller’s (’00, Millersburg, Ohio) record for hits in a season (48) may be the next mark to fall.
Tyler Yoder (Sarasota, Fla), Hesston’s team-leader in several offensive categories, has been a mainstay in the Lark lineup all year long. Batting clean-up behind his roommate Voth-Gaeddert, the freshman from Sarasota Christian School is closing in on the season-record for RBI’s, and is within range of the single-season mark for homeruns and doubles. Yoder leads Hesston with a .629 slugging percentage, and has also contributed over 30 innings of work on the mound, compiling three wins and 28 strikeouts to date.
Jon Wilson (Hutchinson, Kan.), another first-year player, has been quietly putting together a huge year for the Larks, and has a significant record within his sights. As of April 15, Wilson’s season batting average of .508 (32-for-63) puts him in position to possibly knock off the 23-year-old record of .460, held by 1986 Hesston alumni Daryl Yoder (Leola, Pa.).
Dustin Linder (Louisville, Ohio), a freshman do-it-all utility player for the Larks, has seen action at five defensive positions this season, all the while leading the team with 19 walks and a .565 on-base percentage. The speedster from Central Christian School (Kidron, Ohio) is batting .372 with 11 stolen bases – most among first-year players.
“We knew going into the season that we were going to be dependent on first-year players being able to step-up and contribute right away, and I've been extremely pleased that this has been the case,” said Mullet. “Each of our 17 first-year players have contributed at one time or another throughout this season, and several in a very significant way. I relish the thought of having all of them back for their sophomore seasons.”
The 2009 freshmen have been instrumental to the success of the 17-12 Hesston College Larks this season, and hope to finish strong as the schedule comes to and end, with playoffs in sight.
Larks sweep Manhattan Christian, improve to 17-12
The Hesston College baseball team traveled to Manhattan, Kansas on Tuesday afternoon and came home with a pair of wins (5-1, 10-4) to improve to 17-12 on the year.
In game one, freshmen twirlers Aaron Grunewald (Wamego, Kan.) and Curt Compagnone (Salina, Kan.) teamed up for seven solid innings, giving up a combined five hits and one run.
Back-to-back RBI doubles from Tyler Yoder (Sarasota, Fla.) and Kelly highlighted a two-run third that gave the Larks an early 3-0 lead.
Jon Wilson (Hutchinson, Kan.) continued his hot-streak at the plate with another multi-hit game, going 2-3 with a run scored. Wilson, Travis Ebersole (Sarasota, Fla.), Kirk Kelly (Newton, Kan.), and Travis Riesen (Hillsboro, Kan.) each recorded two-hit games as the Larks pounded out 11 hits in the 5-1 win.
The Hesston offense continued to roll in game two, totaling 11 more hits to fuel the 10-4 victory.
RBI doubles by Lee Voth-Gaeddert (Hesston, Kan.) and Kelly sparked a three-run first for Hesston, giving starter Scott Stroberg (Hutchinson, Kan.) room to work on the mound.
Stroberg was superb in the nightcap, scattering eight hits and a walk with five strikeouts over six innings to earn the win, his third of the year.
Wilson, Voth-Gaeddert, Yoder, Kelly, and catcher Grant Gonzalez (Cheyenne, Wyo.) each had two-hit efforts in game two, while Dustin Linder (Louisville, Ohio) scored a pair of runs and knocked in two. Yoder hit a home run to left, his team-leading sixth of the year, in the top of the sixth for the Larks.
Larks hold on in game two to salvage double-header split with Brown Mackie
After dropping the opener in heartbreaking fashion, the Hesston College baseball team responded with a gritty 7-6 win over rival Brown Mackie College (Salina, Kan.) to earn a spilt in Saturday’s home double-header.
Hesston’s Kirk Kelly (Newton, Kan.) appeared headed for his fifth pitching win of the season late in game one, as the sophomore ace induced a fly out to right, his tenth consecutive batter retired, to lead off the seventh inning. The next three Brown Mackie batters collected hits to tie the game, however, and with two outs a triple plated two more runs to give the visitors a 5-3 lead.
Determined to avenge a pair of early season losses to the Lions, the Larks battled back in the bottom of the seventh with consecutive singles from Jon Wilson (Hutchinson, Kan.), Lee Voth-Gaeddert (Hesston, Kan.), Tyler Yoder (Sarasota, Fla.), and Derek Ebersole (Sarasota, Fla.). With the help of a passed ball that scored Voth-Gaeddert, the Larks had tied the game and had a chance to win, but the Lions defense stiffened and forced extra innings.
With the score tied a 5-5, Brown Mackie pounded out seven hits in the eighth inning off reliever Scott Stroberg (Hutchinson, Kan.) to take a commanding 11-5, then held on for an 11-6 win to improve to 3-0 this year versus Hesston.
In game two, the Larks found themselves down 4-2 with two outs in the bottom the fourth when a five-run explosion, aided by three extra-base hits, put Hesston in front for good. Brown Mackie made a late charge, scoring a run in each of the last two innings before Yoder retired the last two batters to wrap up the complete-game victory, his third mound win of the year.
Nick Wesman (Apple Creek, Ohio) started the Larks fourth with his first triple of the season, and two outs later Voth-Gaeddert cut the lead to one with an RBI single to left. Yoder doubled home Voth-Gaeddert to tie things up at 4-4, and following a Kelly walk, freshman shortstop Alex Steiner (Kidron, Ohio) lifted a three-run blast to right field, his third homer in his last 19 at-bats, to give the Larks a 7-4 advantage.
Hesston’s defense stepped it up in the final innings, as a 6-4-3 double play ended the Brown Mackie fifth, and an assist to the plate from centerfielder Kelly ended a rally in the sixth.
The Larks, now 15-12 on the year, travel to Manhattan, Kansas, for a double-header against Manhattan Christian on Tuesday, April 14.
Larks pound out 32 hits in double-header sweep
The Hesston College baseball team exploded for 37 runs on 32 hits in a two-game sweep over Central Christian JV (McPherson, Kan,) on Tuesday afternoon, winning 22-0 and 15-1 to improve to 14-11 on the season. Several players had big days offensively for the Hesston, as the Larks have now won four of the last five contests.
In game one, an eleven-run third inning blew the game open for the home team, highlighted by back-to-back singles by brothers Travis and Derek Ebersole(Sarasota, Fla.) that each plated two runs. Later in the inning, fellow Sarasota Christian alumnus Tyler Yoder knocked in a pair of runs with a double to right, and Kirk Kelly (Newton, Kan.) scored Yoder with a double of his own.
Not quite done scoring runs, the Larks came back with another huge inning in the fourth, scoring nine runs this time, ending with a three-run homerun off the bat of Alex Steiner (Kidron, Ohio.), his second of the year, to set the final at 22-0.
Aaron Grunewald (Wamego, Kan.) was dominant on the mound, pitching five innings to record the complete-game shutout in the shortened game. The freshman right-hander was efficient in collecting the victory, walking no one while strikingout six.
Jon Wilson (Hutchinson, Kan.) finished with a 4-5 showing with three runs scored, while Lee Voth-Gaeddert (Hesston, Kan.) and Derek Ebersole each collected three hits.
Steiner, Kelly, and Dustin Linder (Louisville, Ohio) each had two-hit games.
In the nightcap, the Hesston offense showed no signs of slowing down, as 15 Larks crossed home plate in a three-inning stretch to put the game out of reach.
Travis Ebersole had a memorable game, as the sophomore infielder recorded two hits in the same inning – including a two-run shot to left – in the Hesston second. Ebersole finished with a 3-5 day with five runs knocked in, while Yoder had three hits in four trips to the plate. Yoder collected two RBI in the second game, giving him a team-leading 30 through the team’s first 25 games.
Nick Wesman (Apple Creek, Ohio) and Derek Ebersole each enjoyed two-hit efforts in game two.
On the mound, Scott Stroberg (Hutchinson, Kan.), Curt Compagnone (Salina, Kan.), and Corey Rider (Andover, Kan.), all freshmen, combined to hold the Tigers to three hits and a single run scored.