FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
KENT, Ohio — An old sports adage claims that “champions are made, not born.”
Different coaches in different sports have varying philosophical and tactical views on what it takes to become a championship team. Most champions though, are constructed upon several basic principals: stability, talent and want-to.
The Kent State baseball program is a shining example of what a champion looks like when these principal pillars erected just right.
Under the watch of fifth-year head coach Scott Stricklin, the Golden Flashes have added a Mid-American Conference Tournament championships, two more MAC Regular Season titles and three MAC East Division crowns to the program‘s already storied tradition. Stricklin, a Kent State alum and former professional catcher, envisioned these accolades when he took the reins in 2005. The titles and trophies were simply the product of a man with a plan.
“We had a five-year vision when we took over this job, and this is about where we hoped we would be,” said Stricklin. “We feel very good about where we are. Our goal is to win a regional championship and get to a Super Regional and try to move on to Omaha. We feel like we’ve got the pieces in place to try to make a run at that.”
Stricklin has enjoyed the luxury of working with the same set of core coaches his entire tenure at KSU. Associate head coach Mike Birkbeck enters his 13th season as pitching coach of the Flashes and the former major leaguer is regarded as one of the best mound mentors in collegiate baseball. Assistant coach Scott Daeley has been part of Stricklin’s staff all five years, while volunteer assistant coach Andy Capraruolo begins his second season at Kent State.
“The stability is the most important part of this program,” emphasized Stricklin. “We know the recruiting scene in Ohio. We work very well together and very hard together. A lot of kids want to come here because of the reputation of this coaching staff. It’s a great benefit for this program to have the stability with coach Birkbeck and coach Daeley.”
The coaching staff stability and familiarity with the local recruiting scene has allowed the Golden Flashes to acquire some of the best talent in Ohio. With the notable exceptions of Greg Rohan and Steve Ross, the 2009 season will mark the first in which the entire squad has been hand-picked by the staff.
“We feel like we’ve been able to secure the best players in the state year in and year out,” stated Stricklin. “Our first recruiting class are now true seniors, so this team is made up of guys that we’ve recruited.”
Stability and talent have allowed Kent State baseball to achieve many of its goals, several of which were attained last season. The Flashes finished 36-21 overall (16-8 MAC) and captured the division championship and conference regular season title. The team fell short of its next goal — a trip to the NCAA tournament — in disappointing fashion. A 12-4 defeat at the hands of Eastern Michigan in the MAC title game was a difficult pill to swallow for a team Strickin considered the most talented he has tutored thus far.
“Unfortunately in our conference, traditionally it has been that you’ve got to win the conference tournament,” said Stricklin. “You’ve got to be the hottest team during that weekend in May and what you do during the regular season isn’t looked at maybe as much as it should. It was a really disappointing way to end that year because I felt like last year’s team was very deserving of moving on to the NCAA tournament. We just didn’t play well that final day. Eastern Michigan did and they deserved to win. Yes, we did win a conference championship — which is our first goal — but we came up a little short on our next goal of winning the conference tournament. That was disappointing, but it’s also motivation for this year’s team.”
Stricklin predicts that the foul taste left in the mouths of his players at the end of last season, combined with an oasis of talent and depth at nearly ever position, will be enough to propel the Golden Flashes to where they want to be.
“Our guys have worked very hard,” noted Stricklin. “We had a very productive fall and we’re very deep at every position. A lot of these guys were on the team that went to the regionals in 2007. They got a taste of it and they want to get back there. They realize that we all came up short last year. They’re hungry to try to get back to NCAA tournament play.”
Starting Pitchers
Stricklin will hand the ball to three experienced and talented hurlers to start weekend outings this season. Though the three-man rotation order has yet to be determined, right-handers Kyle Smith (Jr., 6-6, 210) and Brad Stillings (Jr., 6-4, 200) and southpaw Jon Pokorny (Jr., 6-2, 220) make up KSU’s projected starting arsenal. Smith and Stillings were recognized by Baseball America as two of the top prospects in the country.
“Those are the guys with experience and will be one of the strong points for our team,” offered Stricklin.
Smith posted a 9-1 mark last year and tallied 65 strikeouts, second most on the staff.
“Kyle has been a starter since he was a freshman and had a great season last year,” said Stricklin.
Stillings will look to improve upon a four-win, 62-strikeout campaign.
“The upside on Brad is that he’s a very hard thrower and throws four pitches for strikes,” said Stricklin. “He’s very athletic, and we feel like he’s ready to make the jump to be a marquee starting pitcher.”
Pokorny notched a 2.17 earned run average and four saves in 23 appearances in a relief role for the Flashes in ‘08.
“John was our stopper out of the bullpen last year and was outstanding in that role. We’re going to try to transition him into the starting rotation. Being left-handed, he’s got a chance to really excel in that role, and we’re anxious to see him get more innings for us.”
Steven Davis (Sr., 6-1, 185), Kyle Hallock (So., 6-1, 175), Alan Morrison (Sr., 6-3, 225) and Steve Ross (Sr., 6-4, 205) will bring a wealth of experience in mid-week and spot start duties to the Flashes.
“They’re all guys that have experience and have started in the past,” said Stricklin. “That gives us a lot of depth. Alan and Steve Ross would probably be in the rotation at a lot of places in college baseball.”
Bullpen
The pitching out of the bullpen should be just as strong for the Flashes.
“Everyone’s starting pitching is important, but our bullpen is going to be just as important for us,” said Stricklin.
Southpaw Hallock and righty Justin Gill (So., 6-3, 205) figure to be crucial to KSU’s success when the squad is in a pinch.
“Kyle and Justin came out of the bullpen last year as freshmen and did great jobs,” said Stricklin. “They were up-and-down a lot, like freshmen normally are, but they recorded some big for this team. When the game’s on the line, you’re going to see those two guys on the mound.”
Kent State will welcome Robert Sabo (So., 6-2, 185) back after the right-hander missed the entire 2008 campaign because of injury.
“All signs are pointing to Robert being one hundred percent,” said Stricklin. “He is going to be a huge addition to our bullpen.”
Righty Brett Weibley (So., 6-3, 215), who appeared in four games on the bump last season, will moonlight between the mound and infield as one of many multi-position threats for the Flashes.
“Brett is a two-way player who pitched a little bit last year but will have an expanded role on the mound this season,” said Stricklin. “He’s has an extremely strong arm and is very aggressive and athletic on the mound.”
Cory Martin (So., 6-0, 190), son of Kent State head football coach Doug Martin, is another young left-hander with a lot potential.
“Cory is a guy who can help us out of the bullpen and, hopefully, grow into a starting role,” said Stricklin.
Brannon Belair (Fr., 5-10, 195) will see situational work because of the command of his breaking ball.
“Brannon is another left-handed specialist out of the bullpen who has a tremendous breaking ball,” said Stricklin. “He can give us some big outs late in games.”
Lefty David Starn (Fr., 6-3, 185) projects as an arm out of the pen to begin his career but could see greater responsibility down the road.
“David may be a future starter for us,” said Stricklin. “He can really pitch and has three different pitches. He’s very competitive.”
A pair of right-handers, Ryan Mace (Fr., 6-0, 185) and Kyle McMillen (Fr., 6-1, 180), will battle it out for playing time.
“Ryan and Kyle are two right-handed local products who know how to pitch and will be competing for time out of the bullpen,” said Stricklin.
Righty David Wright (Fr., 6-5, 220) rounds out the KSU bullpen.
“David is a big, strong right-handed pitcher who we feel has a great future in this program,” said Stricklin.
Though Stricklin feels that a number of arms could fill the closer role, young southpaw Andrew Chafin (Fr., 6-2, 195) has emerged as the leading candidate to play the part of fireman.
“Andrew really stood out to us in the fall,” said Stricklin. “He throws very hard and has a great breaking ball. He seems to want the ball in crucial situations. That’s a great quality to have as a closer. You’ve got to have a lot of confidence, and he does have that.”
