Robert Morris Sports

A look at the CCAC Player of the Year and the outstanding season that capped his senior campaign.

GOING THE DISTANCE

AUGUST, 2011 BASEBALL edition

Bryan Johnson

Ryan Miller

David Sindewald

Pat Murray BrettVelon

Four starters, and one great year ahead of them. Look how these hurler’s favored this season.

Photograph by: Mike Oleshko

Sox vs. SoxWith Boston in

town taking on the Chicago White Sox,

it's kind of hard to choose a side in a "Sox vs. Sox"

matchup. Both teams bring an equal excite-

ment factor when taking the field. As

you can see, this fills the seats for this such

occasion. And what a wonderful display

of America's pastime caught in the great

city of Chicago.

Paving the Way

Paving the Way

Photography by: Mike Oleshko

THE UWith a Conference

Title as the main goal for Robert

Morris University, Head Coach Mike

Kashirsky made sure that all of his

players realized that the only way

they would achieve such a goal was

with a total team effort. This is why

all teammates show support for one

another in between each inning.

August, 2011

CONTEN

TS11

8

Déjà vu All over Again

Going the Distance

Déjà vu. The definition explains that it's the illusion of having previously experienced something actually being encountered for the first time. For Brett Velon, he will experience just that his senior campaign.

With the 2011 season approaching, Head Coach Mike Kashirsky had a starting rotation to fill. This is the story of that such journey.

Departments

Baseball Edition Robert Morris Sports 7

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p.18

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Inside Look p. 18

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T h e A r t o f Calling a Game

Matt Toomey:

Call to the Pen”Kyle catches a lot of heat

from his teammates for his height, but he gets the

ball to the plate as fast as any of them,” – Head

coach Mike Kashirsky

Hello Marty Coyle

Touch'em All

Baseball is a gentleman's sport in the case for Marty

Coyle. Take a look at who this man is and what makes

him a true gentleman in the sport of baseball.

The remaining RMU players.

8 Robert Morris Sports Baseball Edition

GOING THEDISTANCE

by: Mike Oleshko

THErE ArE mANy DESCrIpTIONS wHEN rElATING TO THE TErm "GOING THE DISTANCE." IN THIS CASE, wE ArE rEfErrING TO A pITCHEr GOING THE

lENGTH Of THE GAmE uNTIl HIS jOb IS fINISHED. TO CONTrIbuTE 100% EffOrT TO rEACH THE GOAl Of COmplETION AND vICTOry. THIS TErm

wIll NOT bE lOST IN TrANSlATION wHEN DESCrIbING THE fOur rmu STArTErS THAT wENT THE DISTANCE fOr THErE TEAmmATES AND STAff.

At the beginning of Robert Morris’s baseball season, Head Coach Mike Kashirsky had questions about his future starting rota-tion. With a plethora of new faces flooding the pitching staff, Coach Kashirsky had his work cut out for him. From transfer students, and new recruits, to returning players, the pitching

staff was one of the largest that Robert Morris had seen. Reviews from the prior 2010 year were concerned with Robert Morris pitching staff. There offensive capabilities were something that Robert Morris had no problems or issues with. On average, Robert Morris produced 6-8 runs a game with their offense. Unfortunately, RMU’s pitching staff would give those runs right back. The main standout of the 2010 season, that gave Robert Morris a fighting chance every game, was RHP Ryan Rowe. Rowe capped a great senior campaign with becoming the fourth Eagle to earn National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Baseball All-American honors. According to CCAC statistics, Rowe led the Chicago land Collegiate Athletic Conference in wins, innings pitched, strike-outs, shut-outs, and opponent’s batting average. Rowe was also second in starts and third in earned run average, as well as complete games. Those stats earned him a spot on the All-CCAC team in 2010. With the exception of Rowe, control issues and walks plagued team. With the amount of runs that Robert

article continues on page 16

Feature Article August 2010


Déjà vuAgain...

All over

August 2010 Feature Article

ANyONE wHO kNOwS bASEbAll, kNOwS THIS quOTE frOm THE fAmOuS yOGI bErrA Or THE NEw yOrk yANkEES."IT'S Déjà vu All OvEr AGAIN". bErrA ExplAINED THAT THIS quOTE OrIGINATED wHEN HE wITNESSED mICkEy mANTlE AND rOGEr mArIS rEpEATEDly HIT

bACk-TO-bACk HOmE ruNS IN THE yANkEES' SEASONS IN THE EArly 1960S. AND fOr brETT vElON, THIS SuCH quOTE wOulD rEfEr

TO HIS juNIOr AND SENIOr CAmpAIGN AT rmu.

by: Mike Oleshko

When Brett Velon started the 2011 season for Robert Morris, I’m sure he had his previous 2010 season in the back of his mind. Velon won the Conference batting title in 2010, hitting a robust .443 with a slugging % at .784, which also led the CCAC in that category. Add a

few other impressive stats to his resume such as 10 home runs, 51 RBI’s and striking out only 10 times in 184 at-bats, and you’re look-ing at a Player of the Year type of season. If there was any question that Velon could do it again, his actions spoke louder than words in 2011. While most players during the off season take their leisure time as serious as a heart attack, Brett was hard at work putting in the time and effort with one goal in mind, to repeat or better his junior campaign for Robert Morris. During the winter training term for Robert Morris, Velon spent countless hours putting in the work needed to get better. Tee work to get his swing perfected both inside and out; speed training to swipe bases with ease, along with rep after

YR GP GS AB 2B 3B HRR HAVG SLG%RBI TB

2010

2011

Total

.443 55 54 185 54 82 17 8 10 51 145 .784

.432 53 52 185 71 80 19 10 8 42 143 .773

.438 108 370 125 162 36 18 18 93 288 .778106


rep of workouts to get in peak physical condition. Fly ball pop up drills and long toss for hours made sure that the amount of effort put in ensured big results. Velon states, "My prep for a game usually starts in the off-season and during practice. This is where I put in my time and get my repetitions in so on game days I can just go out and play and be able to trust myself and my skills." And the hard work didn’t go unnoticed on the field or by his teammates either.

During Robert Morris’s spring trip down to the south-ern states of Oklahoma and Texas, Velon was already

leading the team in bombs, knocking 3 home runs out of the yard in just a single game. Brett was setting an impressive stage for the remainder of the season. Big hit after big hit, one after another, Velon was doing it all. Hitting, fielding, and setting the offensive stan-dard for the Eagles. As the spring trip came to a close, the Eagles weren’t looking forward to coming home. Although they missed their home field, training grounds, and their own beds to sleep in, they were not looking forward to the

blistering cold that awaited them in the good ol’ city of Chicago. Velon would keep warm though, because leaving the southern states with a hot bat is always a good thing. The hard hitting center fielder was already coming home with 4 home runs, as well as 17 RBI’s that padded his stats. As the Eagles made a conference title run, Brett would move to the leadoff spot in the lineup to make way for the hot stick in Jawanza Young. A power hitting left handed hitter that was trail-ing Velon in offensive categories. Most would agree that Velon would reign much better in as a number 3 hitter. But there is always a method to head coach Mike Kashirsky’s madness. As Young grew hot, Velon hit the ground running when it came to his move to the leadoff position. With

"It waS PRetty cleaR that BRett waS the BeSt

PlayeR In the league. BRett'S StatS aRe the

ReSult of hIS gReat woRk ethIc anD DeSIRe to helP the teaM wIn."

– MIke kaShIRSky

Déjà vu All OvEr AGAIN August 2010


August 2010 Déjà vu All OvEr AGAIN


one of the highest on-base percentages in the league, it would only be a matter of time until Velon found his way on the base paths by either base hit, hit by pitch, or drawing a walk. This tactic of having a heavy hitter in the leadoff spot would also prove useful to Kashirsky’s Eagles. In many cases, when the lineup would bat around the order, those on base would be fortunate enough to get the great-est chance to be driven home with Velon stepping into the batter’s box. The leadoff position would also ensure that Velon would have the most opportunities to come up to the plate in a game changing situ-ation, to provide all the offensive support that he was beyond capable of doing. Needless to say, Velon took the leadoff task and never looked back. With a conference title in RMU’s future, there was no question on who was the greatest all around player in the conference. Rounding out the season, Velon

" VISualIzatIon IS one of the toolS I lIke

to uSe By JuSt goIng thRough My futuRe at- BatS anD what I woulD

lIke to accoMPlISh In theM." – BRett Velon

IN THE 3 HOLEJawanza Young proved to be an excellent fit as

the 3 hitter for Robert Morris, cleaning up on the bases what Velon was so gracious in leaving for his

teammates to follow him.

finished just second in on-base percentage, and just missed a second straight batting title by just a single hit. But his power stats and on-base percentage were even more impressive than in his junior campaign. He led the CCAC in slugging percentage for the second straight season, while topping all other players in the Conference in runs, hits, doubles, triples, and total bases. With all the hard work Velon put in, it’s no wonder that Brett had one of the best seasons as an Eagle. Now the big question is what’s next in store for Brett Velon? ■

Déjà vu All OvEr AGAIN August 2010

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Morris was scoring, there pitching staff would give them right back. Coach Kashirsky was hell bent on not having a repeat of the 2010 season. As other schools and officials predicted how Robert Morris’s staff would handle the 2011 season, head coach Mike Kashirsky left nothing to chance in preparation for a run at a Conference Title.

During the winter condi-tioning program that

Robert Morris holds, pitch-ers flocked the bullpen with limitless talent. The open-ing of the season started in

Oklahoma, followed by a trip to Texas for Robert Morris’ spring training. A set rotation was figured before the trip was made. Given the talent that Kashirsky had at his disposal, the starting five man rotation for the Eagles consisted of newcomer David Sindewald, newly recruited Kyle Wuestenfeld, returning player Ryan Miller, transfer student

Patrick Murray, and return-ing player Bryan Johnson. All five of these ballplayers were more than capable of performing to the level that Kashirsky was looking for. With 18 games scheduled in just a 10 day span, the

Going The Distance August 2010

continued from page 8

THE FLaMETHROwERPatrick Murray led the staff with a 2.89 era as

well as an 8-3 record to earn him recognition

for the First Team All Conference as a junior.

THE VETERaNRyan Miller earned Player of the Week recognition in the hunt for a Conference Title, leading the rotation with 3 complete game shutouts.


the season, doing whatever it was necessary to try to secure a "W" for the Eagles. Even if that meant coming in for a relief appearance before there next start, to get some work in on the mound in prepara-tion. With the pitching staff firing on all cylinders, it was without question that Robert Morris’ staff was the best in the league. With 24 conference

wins, it sealed the fate for RMU in capturing their first ever Conference Title. Head coach Mike Kashirsky's goal is to continue to recruit lively arms making RMU renowned for its dominance on the hill. ■

August 2010 Going The Distance

THE wORkHORSEBryan Johnson went

8-2 posting a 3.88 era. Johnson proved to be a valuable asset in the

rotation being used in spot starts and relief

appearances for RMU.

THE acE David Sindewald led the staff with 54 strikeouts. But not only that, David also led the staff with a total of 6 complete games, truly "Going the Distance" for RMU.

pitching staff would be tested early. During the cross country expedition, an unfortunate injury took one of the starters in LHP Kyle Wuestenfeld. In desper-ate need of shoulder surgery, Wuestenfeld’s career ended before it began for the Eagles. It was up to the rest of the starting staff to pick up the slack.

As the season progressed, the remaining four start-

ers did their best to keep the Eagles in the running for a Conference Title. Sindewald, Miller, Murray, and Johnson really stepped up to the challenge the remainder of

INSIDE LOOKby: Mike Oleshko

TheARTof

Calling aGame

Matt Toomey:


We caught up with catcher Matt Toomey to pick his brain

on how he calls a game for the RMU pitching staff.


Mike Oleshko: So tell me, what is it like being a catcher in general for you?Matt Toomey: As a catcher I feel as if it has become second nature to call pitches. It has taken years of studying hard work and a desire to further my knowl-edge to develop this trait. Many things come into consideration when I am behind the plate trying to get the hitter out with my pitch calling.

O: what do you feel is a big issue you face catching?T: The biggest thing is the relationship with my pitcher. I have to know exactly what pitches he has and what pitch works the best for him, and what is working that day ( i.e. slider or curve).

O: what is the most important feature you look for in a pitcher?T: The most important thing is confidence. Many pitchers I have encountered do not have confidence in all of their pitches and will shake me off. But as a catcher, I take it personally to exude confidence in every pitch a pitcher has in his arsenal.

O: How important is a "pitcher/catcher" relationship?T: VERY! The most important factor, in my opinion, is that a pitcher must have confidence in me to block his curve ball in the dirt with 2 strikes. If a pitcher is tentative to do so, he is screwed. To be honest, there is no better feeling for me when I can strike a kid out on three pitches and know he had zero chance because I was a step ahead of his thought process.

"I can oBVIouSly woRk My BeSt

when a PItcheR haS contRol

anD confIDence In all of hIS

PItcheS." - Matt tooMey

q AND A...


O: are there any particular signs you see from the batters that help you call pitches?T: There are many tells a hitter will have that enable me to beat him with pitch calling. A few examples; If a guy is spread way out in the box, I am going to bust him inside. If a hitter is way off the plate, then I know he doesn't like the inside pitch. So I'm going to nibble on the outside corner with some off speed, preferably a change-up, then come in hard to get him out. If a guy has a large leg kick, it's second nature to bury curve balls and mix in only a few fastballs. If I see a kid step in the box waving his hands and grip-ping the bat tightly, I'd probably call a 2-seamer running tight on his hands first, then I'll go soft away.

O: Is there a pattern you tend to use when calling pitches?T: The first time throughout the lineup, I will fall into a pattern. For example, an 0-2 count, I'll go fastball way outside off the plate. Then a curve ball in the dirt, or starting the 3,4,5 guys with curve balls. I might try and stick to this 1.5 times through the lineup. Then when the coach and the hitters start to catch on, I completely change my calling. I'll throw fastballs in off speed situa-tions. This is all an effort to get into a hitters head when he is behind in the count.

O: Is there something special that you do when calling a game that you feel is unique? T: I like throwing off speed pitches in different situations. 2-0 counts 3-1 and most certainly 3-2. That is more of a feel for your pitcher and what kind of game plan you've spoken of before the game. The batter will be thinking, "OK he has thrown a curve ball to every guy in a 1-2 count, so that's what is coming," then BOOM! A fastball low and out. The next guy up to bat is lost and confused and totally guessing when he gets into the batters box because I changed the pattern.

O: One last question... If you would play any other position besides catcher, what would you want to play and why?I used to play second base way back when I first started to play the game. But I would have to say that I would definitely want to play somewhere in the outfield. There is nothing better than track-ing a ball down in the gap. Are I'd love to make a game saving diving catch. And I've also loved when guys get tossed out trying to tag up on a fly ball. I want to be that guy that hoses 'em. You could call me Craig Biggio, because he caught, played second base and center in his career. And he's a small scrappy guy, like me. ■

INSIDE LOOK August 2010


CAll TO THE pEN

August 2010 Department

Most days, if a starting pitcher can go a complete game, it’s usually a win-win situation, both for the manager, as well as the bullpen staff. A starting pitcher that can finish what he starts is a very rare find. The amount of strain the human body endures while throwing a baseball is phenomenal. Not to mention the amount

of stamina that is needed to throw a complete game. But that’s what pitchers go through every time they toe the rubber. When a starter can go no longer and requires some relief, if you’re in a position to win the game, you call

in the closer. When the sport of baseball first began, starting pitchers would throw a complete game every other day. Cy Young, one of the greatest pitchers of all time, recorded 511 wins for his career. And the total number of complete games he recorded was more than 200 over that number. He collected 749 complete games. Times have changed dramatically nowadays for starting pitchers. Robert Morris was fortunate enough to have one of the best closers in the league toe the rubber for the Eagles. This was the thanks to the work of Relief Pitcher of the Year, Kyle Henning.

Looking at Kyle out on the mound, you’d think that he were

the teams bat boy for how tiny in stature he is. But looks are always deceiving in the game of baseball, and when Henning stepped on the mound, he made his presence known with popping the catcher’s mitt with mid 80 heaters. Something you would never have guessed out of the 5’ 6’’ right hander. During Kyle’s junior campaign, according to CCAC statistics, Henning posted a 2.51 ERA despite only

being used in 5 appearances with 14.1 total innings pitched. This was due to a former teammate in Stephen Lorenz with the roll of closer. Kyle took on the closing role his senior year at Robert Morris and he never looked back. Henning recorded 6 saves on the season. That may not seem that much, but it was enough to lead the Conference. What others didn’t realize is that Henning was the “go to guy” out of the bullpen, even if it was not necessarily a

save situation. Henning led the Conference in appearances with 25 and his teammates knew why. When there was a "W" in reach for the Eagles, and the team needed to close out the game, Kashirsky was not at all hesitant to give Henning the job. In doing so, Kyle always found a way to deliver. With a hard slider that kept hitters off balance, a change-up that made them swing out of their shoes, and a fastball that sat them down looking, with skills such as these

it’s no wonder that Henning brought home the Relief Pitcher of the Year Award. Add a 1.57 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 28.2 innings and you’ve got one of the best closers in the league. ■

by: Mike Oleshko


Marty CoyleRMU's First Basemen/Catcher

Born… March 12th, 1989Status… Single and ready to mingle.Alma mater… Bremen High School, South Suburban Junior CollegeWhat’s on TV… Sportscenter, Seinfeld and this new show Wilfred is an instant favoriteWhat’s in my iPod… Got a lot of different stuff on my mp3. I like to mix it up. It mostly depends on what kind of mood I’m in. What I drive… 1998 Ford Explorer SportFavorite flicks… I like a lot of movies. I really like those cheesy 80’s movies like Teen Wolf and stuff like that. I just checked out Cedar Rapids and that was a real knee slapper.Bookmarks… Currently I'm reading this book called “A Zen Way of Baseball.” It’s a really cool book about how they train in Japan compared to the US. Superstitions… I don’t really have any set superstitions. If I do something on game day and it works real well, I will just go with it until its luck has run out. I really don’t like talking and fooling around before games I just like to get focused and get ready.Worst habit… My worst habit would have to be my forgetfulness. I remember real random things about people, but can’t remember the real simple stuff.On my bedroom walls… I got a couple sports flags hanging up and this real cool Fear of Loathing in Las Vegas movie poster I got a few years back.Would love to trade places for a day with… Shawn White. It would be very cool to do all those extreme sports for a living.First job… My first job was a temporary job at a NASCAR race. It was pretty miserable.Talent I’d most like to have… This is weird but I wish I could skateboard. I can’t balance on that thing for anything.Favorite athlete to watch in another sport… Devin Hester. Some of the stuff he does is unreal.Favorite city to visit… Austin, Texas. I never thought about it until I went there and that is a very fun place to be. Favorite team as a kid… Da Bears.


Greatest love… I love just being outside doing things whether it is like playing Frisbee or all the way to something like trail running. Just being active and doing things that most don’t think about I think is so cool.Favorite physical attribute about myself… Favorite thing is my jaw. You know I have been told I got a pretty strong jaw line ha-ha. And least… This shames me to say but I have some small calves. I don’t know if God forgot to install those on my body when I was born or what, but I catch a lot a grief for it.Favorite value in others… Most definitely loyalty. A friend or family member or person in general who you know you can trust and will always be there for you. That’s what it’s all about.My hero… My old man. I’m sure everyone else says the same thing. But it’s true. My dad just works and works and never complains. He just keeps the family going no matter what he has to do.My bucket list… I don’t have one. I just wanna keep living my life as it comes to me. Just take chances when they come your way. If they don’t work, hey, chalk it up for experience. But if they do, who knows where this life will take ya. ■

Touch'em AllwITH A NumbEr Of rmu ATHlETES STIll ON THE rOSTEr IN wHICH wE HAvEN'T mENTIONED yET, IT'S ONly fAIr THAT THESE plAyErS GET rECOGNITION AS wEll. AfTEr All, "bASEbAll IS A TOTAl TEAm EffOrT," ACCOrDING TO HEAD COACH kASHIrSky (fEATurED rIGHT). THESE fINE plAyErS HElpED rmu TO ACHIEvE THErE fIrST EvEr CCAC CONfErENCE TITlE IN SCHOOl HISTOry.

Robert Morris Head Coach Mike "Kash" Kashirsky led the Eagles to the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic

Conference Tournament Championship in 2010, earn-ing the Eagles their first ever invitation to the NAIA

National Championship Tournament. This year, Kash's reign continued with RMU's first CCAC Conference

Title, earning him the 2011 Coach of the Year Award.

by: Mike Oleshko


Member of the 2011 All-Conference team, this clutch hitting second basemen also provided spectacular defense up the middle, and tied a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics record set in 1976 with a dozen assists in a single game.

Providing a strong bat in the line-up. Although the RMU outfield had no place for him, the DH spot provided an excellent alternative, with posting a .291 batting average and driving in 29 Eagles.

Made his first ever college appearance with Robert Morris. Vasquez would find

himself an important asset to the bullpen as being the only lefty of the entire staff.

He became a lefty "specialist" as well as a valued reliever during the season.

Andy Dunscomb

Edwin Vasquez

Tyler Thompson


Awarded the Fall Tournament MVP, Murphy rotated between third base,

catcher, and pitcher during the course of the season. With all the activity , Murphy

posted such stats as a .320 batting average as well as a 2-0 pitching record.

The only stat important to Scarlata is "W's." With a motto "It's all about TEAM," Scarlata would answer the call whenever he was needed. Dividing his time between the hot corner and pinch hitting for the Eagles, his talents continue to develop.

Anchoring the infield defense at first, CCAC Gold Glover Alex McCluskey

also led the league in sacrifice hits. He committed just two errors while handling

almost 250 chances. His .992 fielding percentage topped every other first

basemen in the league.

Jack Murphy

Alex McCluskey

Anthony Scarlata


Provided relief appearances and spot starts for the Eagles. Oleshko posted 2

complete game shutouts on the season, relieving the stress on the bullpen staff

whenever possible for Kashirsky.

One of the most unique deliveries that Robert Morris had in there staff. With the

nickname "Sub," most wouldn't know why they'd call him that until he took the

mound. Adding a 3-0 record to his resume would call his technique quite effective.

Lives by the quote, "It takes no talent to hustle." Ryan earned himself Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors, going 9-of-19 with recording 14 RBI's in an offensive tear. Not to mention his has a cannon in left field.

Mike Oleshko

Bronson Gahagan

Tim Ryan


Provided defensive ability on both corners of the infield soaking up grounders and routine plays at either first or third base. With the softest hands in the infield, errors were few and far between.

Moving around the infield until he found his calling as the starting shortstop. With

Thompson aiding him over at second with his defensive skills, turning double plays

was a guaranteed 2 outs. He can hit too, with a .314 batting average to prove it.

Jawanza's left-handed bat in the middle of the line-up made everybody around him more dangerous. He posted many

multi-extra base hit games and most pitchers worried about his presence

in the on-deck circle.

Jim Kollker

Frank Ricco

Jawanza Young

Robert Morris Sports

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