Bethany Swede Baseball

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1998 Review

Opening Day:
vs. Fort Hays State University Tigers
in Hays, Kansas
Sunday, February 21, 1999
1:00 PM

Home Opener:
vs. York College Panthers
Friday, February 26, 1999
3:30 PM

Fall Results

It's almost baseball season again, and the Bethany Swedes are ready to begin their quest for the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship. Overcoming the departure of All-Conference players off of a 22-20 team (12-8 KCAC, third place) such as third baseman Mike Jackson, shortstop Jason Schmeiser, outfielder Sean Spoonts, and pitcher Clay Witt will be difficult. The losses will be offset by the maturing of last year's freshmen along with additions at key positions that should make this team very competitive.

The offensive and defensive leader of the team is senior catcher Brad Schrader, who hit .301 and threw out 32% of attempted base stealers in 1998. Head Coach Mike Waldie remarked, "Brad is the rock of this team and he is a joy to be around. He has a great future ahead of him." He is a team captain accompanied by fellow seniors Bobby Richardson a utility infielder/ designated hitter (.272 average in 1998) and slick fielding shortstop Chris Tusant (63 put outs and 99 assists in 1998, splitting time at second base and shortstop). Other returnees are senior centerfielder Darren Kaustinen, senior utility player Pat Patterson, and sophomore leftfielder Nate Sungy, who is looking for a breakout season after a very good freshman season, being named KCAC player of the week for April 20-26.

The pitching also appears to be as strong as last year's squad with much more depth, returning left handers Jeremy Cantrell, a junior with 8 wins, 3 losses and 1 save in 1998, sophomore Clint Strassburg (3-4, 3 saves), and sophomore Daniel Regan (4-3). Senior right handers Kris Bernal and Ed Loeb, along with many others also look to make significant contributions to this year's team. "The pitching staff depth may be the key to our success. They have worked very hard and I believe this is our strength," said Waldie.

Top newcomers include Jason Nelson, a third baseman and catcher from Vista, California, Todd Just, a utilityman and pitcher from Salina, Kansas, Rick Haro, a utility infielder from Corona, California, and Cody Stucky, a first baseman from McPherson, Kansas. The Swedes also have two new assistant coaches, Ryan Anderson (who comes to Bethany by way of University of the Ozarks) and Jay Biggs.

The first pitch of the 1999 season will be at Fort Hays State University on Sunday, February 21 at 1:00. The first home game will be on Friday, February 26 against York College of Nebraska (first pitch at 3:30). Other formidable opponents include NAIA preseason top-25 St. Mary's University (San Antonio, TX) and Texas Lutheran University (Seguin, TX), NCAA Division II Washburn University of Topeka, and NCAA Division I teams Kansas State University and Wichita State University.

The '99 season appears to be a very promising one, with the Swedes looking for a school record fourth straight 20 win season (based on a 42 game schedule). Don't miss a minute of the action! Be sure to join us for all the excitement at Anderson Field in Lindsborg. There is no charge for admission to home games.

Thank you very much for visiting the Bethany College Baseball website. The season is underway and updates to this page will be coming in fast and furious. Keep checking regularly for new stuff on the site and we'll see you at the ballpark!	*Head Coach Mike Waldie*
The coaches encourage you to E-mail us with your questions or comments about either the team or the page. You can send your mail to: [email protected] . We will try to respond to your remarks as soon as possible. Thanks again, and we look forward to your continued support of Swede baseball.