2005 Men's Baseball Season Preview 

Spring might seem to be off in the distance but for the St. Ambrose University Fighting Bee baseball team it’s just around the corner.

Since early January the team has been preparing for the 2005 season by working out at both Lee Lohman and The Batter’s Box, an indoor facility just minutes from campus. The Fighting Bees are hoping to get back into championship form and reclaim the Midwest Classic Conference title, a feat they’ve accomplished six times over the past eleven years.

Ninth year head coach Jim Callahan said his goals are the same as ever, and winning is the first step towards an even more ambitious goal.

“Our goals remain the same going into every season, you enter the fall each year aiming to win a national title," Callahan said.  "We're just one year removed from winning the conference championship, and I think with the group of ball players we have our chances are pretty good to get the championship back.”

The makeup of the Fighting Bee’s has changed since last year as a strong group of freshman and several transfer students are newcomers to this year's squad.  All the new players will have big shoes to fill, after the departure of 2004 graduates such as Justin Seifken and Brett Hiner.

Callahan will rely on his strong group of returning seniors that include pitchers Sean Johnson (RHP) and Kyle Hildman (LHP) and infielder Kyle Gripp.  The Bees have a senior heavy pitching staff with six of their eight seniors in the rotation.  Along with Johnson and Hildman, Jim Welch, Nick Ashman, Zach Smith, and Jason Collier will all be involved on the mound this year.  The two other seniors are Gripp and Adam Smith (UTL), who will bring a solid bat off the bench.  Gripp will anchor the infield at first base with his senior leadership.

SAU is carrying twelve juniors on this years team, more than any other class.  Jake Miller (INF) and All-American right fielder Ben Martin are two juniors that will provide leadership and experience to this otherwise inexperienced ball club.  Dustin Lenz and Matt Tranowski will look to help out in the Bee's infield this season.  The outfield will consist of juniors Issac Jones Jr., T.J.McLaughlin, and Trent Domel.  Joe Arnold and Scott Neff will all see action on the mound this year.  Tom Stonebock and Elliot Albertson will be looked upon heavily in the middle of the infield as well as bringing solid bats to the lineup.  Travis Vieth, a junior transfer, will play a huge part in the starting rotation.

This year's sophomore class is small in numbers, but is hoping to be big in contribution.  Dan Hennigan will see action in several different pitching roles, while Aaron Wulfekuhle will see a lot of action behind the plate.  They will be joined by Nathan Halupnick (INF) and Mike Kennel (RHP).

The Fighting Bee's freshman class will look to gain some valuable experience during the season.  The pitching staff gains five new players that will begin their first season for SAU.  Matt Mulvania (RHP), Nicholas Hofer (LHP), Travis Zeimet (RHP), Patrick O'Donoghue (RHP), and Dan Vincenti (UTL), who will also double as an outfielder.  Kyle Roesler joins the sqaud as an infielder and pitcher.  He will be looked upon by the SAU coaches to make a major impact in his rookie campaign.  Joe Foote (INF) and Brandon Oldaker (OF) are also in their first year with the team.  Mark Gaulden will see plenty of action behind the plate, and Casey Raisbeck (UTL) will fill in as needed.    

Also new to the team this year is pitching coach Christian Jackson.  A former pitcher at New Mexico State, Jackson is excited to transition from player to coach.

“Sometimes I have to take a step back cause I want to jump in, I have to let them do the work," Jackson said.  "I’m really just glad to still be around the game and to be a part of a team that has the potential to do great things.”

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