1998 Miracle Yearbook

by Mark Womack Jackets Swing into Action Jackets gain strength and momentum as season draws to a close. The 1998 version of Yel- low Jacket baseball was no different from many of the otherCedarvillespring sports teams in that they were ex- tremely lean on experience. No less than 13 of the 16 players were either freshmen orsophomoresand 11ofthem were newcomers to the pro- gram. The result was a 4-27 record overall and 2-14 slate in the Mid-Ohio Conference. Senior co-captain Josh Lunney batted a team-high .354and was voted to the All- Mid-Ohio Conference Sec- ond Team at third base. He was also named to the All- NCCAA Midwest Region squad. Lunney paced Cedarville in nearly every offensive sta- tistical category. Hewastops in hits(29),runs scored(18), doubles(6),triples(2),home runs(3),slugging percentage (.585),walks(13),and stolen bases(13)for the season. The other senior co-cap- tain wasinfielderMarkWood, who was an honorable men- tion selection within the NCCAAMidwestRegion.He wasthe only playerto start all 31 games during the season. Freshman infielder Ryan Creeden hit.319 to rank sec- ond on the squad at the plate. Twin brother Trevor batted .277 and struck outjust three timesin55plateappearances. Sophomore outfielder GabeSchlappijoinedLunney on the All-NCCAA Midwest Region Team. He started all 30games in which he played with a .272 batting average, 13 runs scored,four doubles, and 12 walks. The Yellow Jackets fash- ioneda6-3victory atTennes- see Temple in the opening doubleheader of the season. They later surprised Walsh, 6-5, at home and the Cavs eventually qualified for the M0C Tournament. Cedarville followed that de- cision withawin atMalonein their very next game by the same 6- 5 count. The Jackets experienced their bestoffensive contestin the next to last game of the season. In the NCCAA Mid- westRegional,theydrilledLin- coln Christian, 13-4, by ham- mering a season-high 16 hits. M en's Baseball Team:(kneeling 1-r)Greg Pauling,Johnny Freese,Nathan Verwys,Dustin Crider, Mark Wood,Gabe Schlappi.(standing 1-r) Student-Trainer Matt Loose,Head Coach Norris Smith,Micah Hutchins, Assistant Coach Brandon Locks, Matt Johnson,Jim Tompkins,Rob Beat,Josh Lunney,Phil Hamilton,Ryan Creeden,Steve Norris,Trevor Creeden,Tim Sastic,Scorekeeper Brent Krumdiak. men's baseball 259