There will be two senior leaders driving the 2011 squad, Adrian Fritch (Edon) and Sean Jaynes (Toledo/Maumee). "We are looking for a successful season from Adrian Fritch as he returns with a wealth of experience on the mound," said Grandey. Fritch had a solid junior campaign, finishing 2-3 with 29 strikeouts in 2010 and he looks to have even more success this year. "Both of the seniors have committed four years to our program. Their commitment level has meant a great deal to me and our program. They are prepared to have a great season and I am excited for them." 

 

Nick Broyles (Toledo/Whitmer), who moved to shortstop after starting in centerfield his entire freshman season, hit a phenomenal .383 on the way to being named 2nd Team All-HCAC in 2010. The standout junior established new Bluffton single-season highs with 49 RBI and 109 total bases while hitting 10 home runs and scoring 39 times which both tied him atop the all-time leader board last season. "Nick is a dynamic player, has great bat speed and is a tremendous base runner. I am looking forward to seeing Nick settle in at shortstop this year and watching his defense improve," stated Grandey.

 

 Junior third baseman Tyler Stephenson (Springfield/Northwestern), who along with Broyles has been named to Collegiate Baseball America's Players to Watch this year, was last year's top hitter with a .401 batting average, including a Bluffton single-season record 67 hits. Stephenson rapped two triples in Bluffton's win over Juniata at the Snowbird Classic to start the season and he never looked back. Stephenson, who was named honorable mention All-HCAC and Team Most Valuable Player in 2010, is tied for 16th all-time with 157 total bases while his nine home runs are tied for 10th all-time.

 

Also returning to the Bluffton infield after starting 26 games in 2010 is Kyle Trainer (Mechanicsburg). The junior, who received honorable mention All-HCAC honors after hitting .364 a season ago, gives the Beavers three quarters of its 2010 starting infield as well as a potent offensive trio that dominated opposing pitching last year.

 

"I am excited to have Nick and Tyler anchoring the middle of our lineup. And Kyle is a tough out who does the little things that will help us score runs and win games," added Grandey about his trio of returning infielders.

 

 The outfield also returns experience, including one of the Beavers' best all around players, sophomore Kyle Niermann (Napoleon), in right field. Niermann received second-team All-HCAC honors following the 2010 season. Junior Greg Bergstedt (Napoleon/Patrick Henry) and sophomore Miles Richardson (Granville/Newark Catholic) combined for 51 starts in the outfield with Bergstedt sporting a .455 average and .705 slugging percentage while patrolling left field for the Beavers late in the season.

 

Grandey looks for success from two junior pitchers, Kelly Barnes (Toledo/Toledo Christian), who had a 1-1 record last season with 33 strikeouts, and Ryan Leugers (Botkins), another southpaw who saw significant action for the Beavers in 2010. Four Bluffton sophomores give the Beavers a solid corps of hurlers for Coach Grandey to draw from this season. Nick Rodesky (Bowling Green), Tyler Gibson (Sylvania/Southview), Mark Hadaya (Beavercreek) and Jordan Kruse (Napoleon) have the talent and experience to provide starting depth as well as anchoring the bullpen in 2011. 

 

In addition to having a tremendous amount of talent and experience back this year, Grandey has assembled a talented group of newcomers that might push for playing time early in the season. According to Grandey, "Transfer Matt McKinney (Columbus Grove/Bath) will look to make an immediate impact at first base this spring, while Tyler Wright (Troy), a starting quarterback for the Beavers in the Fall, is very athletic and his collegiate game experience has prepared him for baseball." Tim Webb (Delaware/Worthington Christian) will be competing for playing time behind the plate while Airic Stegall (Hillsboro) and David Ianiro (Highland Heights/Mayfield) look to contribute for the Beavers this season.

 

Bluffton is scheduled to play its first baseball games of the season prior to March when they take on Case Western and Wabash at Chillicothe on February 26. However, the Beavers are also readying themselves for their annual trip to Florida during Spring Break, the second week of March. On March 6, Bluffton will face John Jay at Port Charlotte at 10 a.m. in the first of eight contests from Florida. The spring trip includes contests against pre-season #1 Heidelberg and #16 Marietta. The Beavers will also face Muskingum and John Carroll which both qualified for the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament in 2010. Coach Grandey stated, "Our schedule will be one of the toughest in the region. We look forward to a challenging non-conference schedule as it will prepare us well for the Heartland Conference."

The Beavers will host Oberlin College on Wednesday, March 16 at 4 p.m. for their home opener at Memorial Field before welcoming Thomas More on Saturday, March 19 for a 1 p.m. doubleheader. With the mixture of experience, talent and leadership, the Beavers are excited to get on the field in 2011.