2008 Baseball Prospectus

February 13, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282

Fingertip Facts

Location: Springfield, Missouri
Address: 1111 N. Glenstone Ave., 65803
Enrollment: 2,000
President: Dr. Robert H. Spence
Founded: 1955
Nickname: Crusaders
Colors: Maroon and White
Field: EU Baseball Field
Affiliation: National Assoc. of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
Conference: Heart of America
Athletics Director: Dr. David Stair
Administrative Assistant: Faye Liddle
Marketing and Broadcasting: Ed Beach
Athletic Trainers: Kevin King and Heather Martin
Sports Information Director: David Fillmore

Coaching Staff

(417) 865-2815, plus extension listed below

• Head Coach: Lance Quessenberry (2nd year); Alma Mater: Southwest Baptist University, bachelor’s 1996; master’s degree, 2002, Record at Evangel: 10-34, 1 year; Collegiate Record: same as at Evangel; Best Time to Reach: mornings, Ext. 7287
• Assistant Coach, Head JV Coach: Russell Brand (2nd year): Alma Mater: Evangel, bachelor’s 2002; Best Time to Reach: mornings, Ext. 7276
• Graduate Assistant: Dustin Gerleman (Evangel, 2007)
• Graduate Assistant: Dustin Young (College of the Ozarks, 2006)
• Evangel E-Mail Addresses: last name + first name initial + @evangel.edu
  

2007 Team Awards

MVP: Justin Smith (.416 BA, 16 2b, 1 HR, .604 SA)
Crusader Award: Mike Ryswyk
Batting Average: Justin Smith (.416, 42-101)
Pitcher: Chris Gerleman (8.51 ERA, 2-5, 13 AP)
Hustle: Tyler Henry
Defensive Outfielder: Justin Harper (.957, 3-70)
Defensive Infielder: Nathan Kuhn (.962, 6-156)

Quick Hits

Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 8/1; VL = varsity letter

Returning

• Scott Ditzfeld (Sr., P, 3VL)
• Zach Farmer (Jr., INF/P, 2VL)
• Tyler Henry (Sr., C, 3VL)
• Al Lebron (Jr., P/C, 2 VL)
• Rob Martinez (Jr., INF, 2 VL)
• Ben Julian (Jr., C, 2 VL)
• Jeff Putman (Sr., P, 3VL)
• Phil Reed (Jr., INF, 2 VL)

Lost

• Dustin Dorr (P, 2VL)
• Chris Gerleman (P, 3VL)
• Dustin Gerleman (INF, 2VL)
• Justin Harper (OF, 4VL)
• Nathan Kuhn (INF, 1VL)
• Ben Owens (P/INF, 2VL)
• David Poland (P/INF, 4VL)
• Mike Rogers (OF, 1VL), Justin Smith (INF, 4VL)
• Tyler Templeton (INF, 1VL)
• Matt Warner (INF, 4VL)

• 2007 Overall Record: 10-34
• 2007 Conference/Finish: 5-22/10th
• 2007 All-Conference Players: 2
• Phil Reed (honorable mention, designated hitter)
• Justin Smith (honorable mention, first baseman)

Top Returning Hitters (.300 batting average)

Phil Reed (Jr., IF, Perrysburg, Ohio) - All-Heart of America Athletic Conference (honorable mention), started 28 games and played in33, hit .354 (28-79), 10 runs, three doubles, 8 RBIs, .940 FA (67 chances, 4 errors)

Tyler Henry (Sr., C, Denver, Colo.) - started 39 and played in 39 games, hit .309 (34-110), 12 runs, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 16 RBIs, 12 walks, .969 FA (163 chances, 5 errors)

Ben Julian (Jr., C, Nixa, Mo.) - started eight games and played in 11, hit .385 (5-13), 2 doubles, two RBIs, .651 on base average, .968 FA (31 chances, 1 error)

Top Hitters Lost (.300 batting average)

Justin Smith (graduated, INF, Springfield Mo.-Hillcrest) - All-Heart of America Athletic Conference (honorable mention), led team with .416 BA (42-101), 20 runs, 16 doubles, 1 home run, .604 SA

David Poland (graduated, P/IF, Springfield, Mo.-Hillcrest) - .300 BA (16-50), saw 19 starts and action in 29 games, 2 doubles, 12 RBIs

Top Pitchers Returning

Rafael Frias (Jr., Orlando, Fla.) - injured in 2007, set new school season records for saves (12) and games finished (24) as a freshman in 2005 with 26 appearances and 3.41 ERA, in 2006 he was the workhorse on the staff with 77.2 innings, 13 starts, 7.07 ERA, 3-6

Scott Ditzfeld (Sr., Sedalia, Mo.) - 8.05 ERA, 2-7, 53.2 innings, 11starts

Top Pitcher Lost

Chris Gerleman (Pleasant Hope, Mo.) - led staff with 55 innings of work, had 8.51 ERA, 2-7 record, 13 appearances, 10 starts, 3 complete games.