Delta College Hungry for 'Historic Season' of Baseball

University Center, MI - Coming off a year in which Delta primarily used freshmen throughout their pitching staff and lineup, the 2016 squad looks to use their experience from 2015 to their advantage in the quest for the programs fourth straight 30-win season and post-season berth. 

"We anticipate losing half of our roster every season," said fifth year head coach Danny Smith. "But this year we bring back a very talented sophomore class of pitchers and position players.  Coupled with the best recruiting class we've had here at DC and you've got the makings of a historic season."

Gone from the 2015 squad is two-time Region XII Gold Glove catcher James Baer (Clare - SVSU), Offensive Player of the Year Dustin DeBeau (Merrill – Davenport University), Pitcher of the Year Jake Tarbell (Chippewa Hills – SVSU) and starting outfielders Briton Ott (Bay City Western – Cleary University) and Greg Kazmierski (Pinconning – SVSU).  Also gone is second baseman Ty Schafer (Chippewa Hills – Aquinas) and pitcher Colton Punches (Clare – Huntington).

"All of those players were sophomores except for Colton and he got an offer too good to refuse so we recruited accordingly."

The starting pitching staff is where the majority of experience returns for Delta as Matt Sahr (Reese), Cody Orban (Cass City), Austin Dingee (Bay City John Glenn) and Colin Meacham (Millington) are slated to be the starting rotation for Delta and are sophomores that saw considerable innings in 2015.

"Matt was the top freshman pitcher in the conference last year and appears to be our ace this season," said Smith.  "But we trust any of those guys to get the job done for us."

Other starting slots may see freshman Thomas Fortney (Birch Run), Tyler Kirkwood (Flint Kearsley), Lewis Finch (Cadillac) and Jake Gross (Chesaning). 

"We will throw those four guys as starters, long relievers and setup men."

Chase Beyersdorf (Hemlock), Jake Lesniak (Bay City All Saints), Ethan Lesperance (Essexville Garber) and Caleb Smith (Vassar) round out the pitching staff.

"We think Lesniak is a big game pitcher that just needs a chance and Lesperance is in that same boat.  But, that's the deal with freshmen – you can never be sure until you see them perform at this level."

The sophomore class is highlighted by starting shortstop and team captain Derek Clyde (Bay City John Glenn).  The recent SVSU signee was selected as the starting shortstop on the MCCAA All-Freshman squad in 2015 after hitting .328 with 14 steals and a team leading 40 runs scored. 

"Derek is the consummate leadoff hitter but he's more than just a table setter on the offense.  He flashes the ability to drive the ball into gaps and he's a very intelligent base runner.  He has an excellent approach at the plate and can handle the bat.  He's just a very, very polished all around player."

Also returning on the infield is Dean Marais (Mt Pleasant) after being medically red-shirted in 2015 with a broken hand.  In just 11 games of action before the injury, Marais picked up five RBI with a homerun.

"Dean is one of the best pure hitters I've seen.  I'm excited to see what kind of number he can put up this year now that he's healthy."

Returning to third base is sophomore Drew Harding (Bay City John Glenn) while Brady Marwede (Alpena) returns to the outfield.  Marwede batted .303 in 44 games during 2015 while Harding hit .288 with a .442 on-base percentage.

"Not only are those guys solid defensively but they understand quality hitting and they already know how to lead which is something that was desperately lacking last year at the beginning of the season," said Smith.

The outfield will see freshmen Zack Booth (Pinconning) and Tyler Robbins (Bay City John Glenn) along with Marwede and Marais.  Cooper Phibbs (Saginaw Heritage) and Tyler Kelsey (Remus Chippewa Hills) will also see time in the outfield.  Robbins, meanwhile, is also slated as the team's closer.

"Ty Robbins is incredibly fast as is Booth.  And Robbins regularly hits 87-90 on his velocity from the outfield so he's a nice commodity to have on the bump when we need him."

Sharing first base duties with Marias is freshman Jordan Jachens (Midland) while sophomore Jackson Worsley (Midland Dow) and first year players Justin Jurek (Gladstone) and Justin Heinlein (Reese) are vying for time at second base.

"Jachens is a nice surprise," said Smith.  "He was second on the team in hitting during fall ball and is tough out."

Freshman Ty Jones (Hillman) is a utility player for the Pioneers that will see significant time at third base, shortstop, DH and as a righty pitcher out of the pen.

Behind the dish, freshman transfer Z Westley (Midland Bullock Creek) will split time with sophomore Watson Moore (Cass City) while Luke Schrage (Petoskey) will serve as the number three catcher.

"Z transferring in from Ferris State was a huge lift for us.  We had some serious concerns after fall ball at the catching position but he came in and absolutely crushed the ball and took over out pitching staff with relative ease."

Delta opens the season on March 3^rd with a double-header at Union College, Kentucky before heading south to Winter Haven, Florida and playing in the Russ Matt tournament.  While in Florida, the Pioneers will face NJCAA Division 1 program ASA Brooklyn and #3 ranked Frederick, Maryland.

"We've never beaten ASA in the four seasons we've played them," said Smith.  "And Frederick finished fourth in the country last year."

Delta will also play #11Lincoln Land (NJCAA DII) and #10 Erie (NJCAA DIII) while on their spring trip.  They will open the league portion of their season against Lansing Community College on April 2^nd.

The teams that Delta must contend with in 2016 for their first MCCAA title appear to be defending champion Kellogg, Jackson and Grand Rapids.  This is the final season that Delta will compete as an NJCAA Division II member. Beginning in the spring of 2017 they will transition to NJCAA Division III status.  While they will still be a member of the MCCAA and compete for a league championship against existing member schools, the post-season will find them competing for a berth to the NJCAA World Series against other Division III schools.