Wright State University CORE Scholar Athletics Publications Athletics 3-17-1979 Wright State Baseball Media Guide 1979 Wright State University Athletics Follow this and additional works at: https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/athletics_publications Part of the Public Relations and Advertising Commons Repository Citation Wright State University Athletics (1979). Wright State Baseball Media Guide 1979. : Wright State University. This Media Guide is brought to you for free and open access by the Athletics at CORE Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Athletics Publications by an authorized administrator of CORE Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Wright State Facts Coaches Location Dayton, Ohio 45435 Ron Nischwitz, coach Enrollment 14,261 Founded 1964; independent university status, 1967 Conference NCAA Division II, independent Nickname Raiders Colors Hunter Green and Gold President Dr. Robert J. Kegerreis Athletic Director Don Mohr Baseball Coach Ron Nischwitz Assistants Bo Bilinski, Al Burger Sports Information Director David Stahl (513/873-2771, Wright State athletic director Don Mohr made two bold moves home, 256-8651) in 1974. First, he stepped down as baseball coach to Assistant Steve Kelly (home, 836-6171) concentrate his efforts as athletic and intramural director. Trainer David Shon Second, he tapped former major leaguer Ron Nischwitz as his successor. All District IV Players Nischwitz spent four seasons in major league baseball with Detroit, Cleveland, and the New York Mets from 1961-66. As Bob Grote, 1976 a relief pitcher, his best year was in 1962 with Detroit when Gary Gabringer, 1977 he posted a 3.90 earned run average. After arm problems Kevin Newnam, 1977 forced his retirement as an active player, Ron spent one Dave Newnam, 1977 season as a pitching coach in the Mets farm system. Barry Rowland, 1977, 1978 A native of Dayton and a graduate of Fairview High School, Nischwitz pitched for two years at Ohio State where he was All-American 11-1 as a junior and earned all-American honors. Nischwitz Dave Newnam (3rd), 1976 earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from OSU in 1961 and earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dayton in 1969. While in Wright State in NCAA Action pro ball, he worked in computer design at NCR during the off-season for several years prior to joining ACB American. 1975: Won 2, Lost 2, placed 3rd in regional After three years with ACB, he purchased the professional 1976: Won 3, Lost 2, placed 2nd in regional collection agency which he still owns and manages in 1977: Won 1, Lost 2, placed 3rd in regional addition to his part-time coaching duties. 1978: Won 1, Lost 2, placed 3rd in regional Since coming to Wright State, "Nisch" has guided the Collegiate Baseball Ranking Raiders to postseason tournament action in each of the past four years, the longest stretch in the Great Lakes region. His 1975: Finished 20th in Division II 1975 squad was the surprise of the tourney, winning the first 1976: Finished 12th in Division II two games from Eastern Illinois and Evansville before 1977: Ranked as high as 8th in Division II finishing in third place. The best finish was in 1976 when WSU lost to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville in the championship game, 4-3, in 10 innings. The Cougars went on All-Time Baseball Record to place second in the Division II World Series. The highest Year Won Lost Pct. Coach ranking for his Raiders was in 1977 when Collegiate 1971 6 16 .273 John Ross Baseball ranked WSU eighth early in the season. 1972 7 15 .318 Don Mohr Nischwitz strongly believes in playing against excellent 1973 9 16 .360 Don Mohr competition. For example, the 1976 team met Division I 1974 15 15 .500 Don Mohr opponents 25 times during a 46-game season. Among them 1975 23 16 .590 Ron Nischwitz were such powers as Pan American, Michigan State, Miami 1976 27 22 .551 Ron Nischwitz Toledo, Ohio State, and Indiana. The Raiders collected at 1977 25 21 .543 Ron Nischwitz least one victory over each team. 1978 17 16 .515 Ron Nischwitz Totals 129 137 .485 More Division I teams are on the schedule this season Al Burger, assistant coach including a two-game series at Florida State on the southern trip. The Seminoles have been to the NCAA tournament 16 times, the fourth highest among Division I schools, and have been to the College World Series six times, placing second once. Through his influenqe with professional baseball contacts, Nischwitz will have two of his former players in pro baseball spring training camps this year. Bob Grote, who earned all-District honors in 1976, is with the New York Mets this .The newest member of the coaching staff is Al Burger, who year and Nisch feels he could move up to AAA this season. spent three years in professional baseball. Burger graduated Mark Lucas is in his second year in the Atlanta Braves from Beavercreek High School in 1949 and went right into the organization after hitting over .300 in Class A ball last Chicago Cub organization where he played third base and season. Other players who have been with pro ball clubs the outfield. include Mark South (Montreal Expos) and Dave Newnam (New York Yankees). Burger first coached in the Dayton AA summer baseball league for two years and then three years in the high school Nischwitz has achieved this tremendous record against some summer league. He moved back to the AA league with the of the best baseball schools in the Midwest without financial Beavercreek Merchants three years ago, leading the team to aid. This is the second year baseball can offer limited the Stan Musial National Tournament in 1976. grant-in-aid money. After five years out of the Dayton Amateur Baseball league, Ron and his wife, Sandy, have four children-Jeff, 19; Greg, Burger was named to its Hall of Fame in 1975. His son, Rick, 18; Brad, 14; and Lisa, 11. was a pitcher for Wright State. Bo Bilinski, assistant coach In his third year as a part-time assistant coach, Mark (Bo) 1979 Outlook Bilinski joined coach Nischwitz after graduating from Wright State as a three-year letter winner in baseball. Wright State will be after its fifth straight NCAA Division II tournament berth, the longest streak in the Great Lakes Bilinski's finest year was in 1974 as a senior, when he led the reg ion. Last year the Raiders slipped to 17-16-2 along with a team in batting (.302) and set a school record of six home third-place finish in the NCAA regional, which was their runs and 33 RBis. He had a 1.46 earned run average in four poorest record since 1974. As usual, however, the Raiders pitching appearances. He still finds time to play summer faced a schedule loaded with Division I opponents. baseball in the Dayton AA league. Coach Ron Nischwitz faces a major rebuilding program for After earning a Bachelor of Science degree, Bilinski joined the first time since taking over the coaching reins in 1975. the Dayton Police Department. He is now a detective after Gone are players who accounted for 96 of 174 runs and 13 of only four years on the force. 17 pitching victories. They are Rick Burger (pitcher), Gary Gabringer (pitcher), Dale Branham (pitcher), Terry Green (third base), Tim Henry (pitcher), Dennis Palsgrove (infield), Barry Rowland (centerfield) and Kent Stuck (second base). Heading the list of returning players is senior Kevin Newnam, who was a first-team all-District selection as a sophomore, and has led the Raiders in hitting the past two seasons with averages of .369 and .344. The only other returning outfielder is sophomore Bob Steinbrunner, who hit .250. Infielders back this season include seniors Doug McMichael (.174) and Dave Berry (.287) and junior Steve Haines (.150). Junior Denny Robinson (.290) is back behind the plate after earning third-team all-District honors last year. Pitching is a big question mark with only two starters back from a staff that put together a 3.95 earned run average. Senior Bob Pollard managed only a 1-4 record, but posted a fine 2.98 earned run average. Sophomore Les McCoy (2-2, 4.45) is the other returning starter. Senior Jeff Jacobs (1-0, Player Thumbnails 1.96) was the top man in the bullpen and may see action as a starter. Dave Berry, senior 5-9, 162 Newcomers to the pitching corps include sophomore transfer Dave Lochner and freshmen Keith Robinson and Greg Addis. infielder Senior Dave Berry may be used in spot starts or relief, Englewood (Northmont) depending on how quickly some of the younger players develop. Around the infield, starters look like McMichael at second base, Haines at short, and Dave Berry at third base. First base will be split with Pollard, Lochner, and Tim Gevedon. Robinson is the only experienced catcher, making depth a Can play any infield position, but should be the starter at third problem. base. He was one of the more consistent hitters last year with Kevin Newnam will move to center field while Steinbrunner a .287 average and showed improved ability to make contact will play either right or left, with junior Tony Ferraro in the at the plate. He could see some action this year as a spot other spot. Depth is a problem in the outfield with starter or relief pitcher. Showed improvement in the field experienced players, but there are several promising during last summer in Dayton Class AA league. A transfer freshmen . from Miami.