2012 Norwich Baseball
2012 Norwich University
Baseball Seniors L to R: Devin Robbins, Don DiBastiani, Seth Knihtila, Corey Shearer, Alexzandro Cardoza, Joe Sleeman, Head Coach John Rhoades.
Credits The 2012 Norwich baseball media guide is an official publication of the Norwich University Sports Information Office. The guide was written, edited and designed by Matthew Albury. Photography supplied by Jordan Silverman & Jay Ericson.
2012 Norwich Baseball Table of Contents
2012 Schedule Date Mar. 11 Mar. 12 Mar. 13 Mar. 15 Mar. 16
About Norwich University ..........................................4 Athletic Department Staff ...........................................4 Head Coach John Rhoades ..........................................5 Norwich Coaching Staff .............................................6 2012 Season Preview...........................................7-8 2012 Norwich Roster .....................................................9 Meet Your 2012 Cadets .........................................10-12
Mar. 17 Mar. 21 Mar. 23 Mar. 24
Quick Facts
Mar. 25
Location .................................................Northfield, Vt. Nickname ...........................................................Cadets Colors ..................................................Maroon & Gold Affiliation .......................................NCAA Division III Conference .........................................................GNAC President ....................................Dr. Richard Schneider Dean of Student Affairs .........................Martha Mathis Athletic Director ...............................Anthony Mariano Head Athletic Trainer ............................David Botelho Equipment Manager .................................Scott Mullen
Mar. 27 Mar. 29 Mar. 31 Apr. 1 Apr. 3 Apr. 4 Apr. 6 Apr. 9 Apr. 11
Baseball Information Head Coach .............................................John Rhoades Assistant Coaches ..................Bob Cutler, Bill Russell, David Scarchilli
Apr. 14
Team Captains ......Jonathan Philbrook, Corey Shearer, Dustin Shimkus Home Field (capacity) .......................Garrity Field (500)
Apr. 15
Sports Information
Apr. 19 Apr. 21
Sports Information Director .....................Mark Adkins Adkins’ Direct Line ..............................802-485-2061 Adkins’ Email .........................madkins@norwich.edu Primary Baseball Contact ..........................Matt Albury Albury’s Direct Line .................................802-485-2241
Apr. 22
Apr. 18
Apr. 24 Apr. 27 Apr. 28 Apr. 29
Opponent Time/Result Valley City St. (N.D.)# 5 p.m. Dakota Wesleyan# 1 p.m. Illinois Tech# 2 p.m. Dickinson St. (N.D.)# 1 p.m. Dickinson St. (N.D.)# 1 p.m. Calvin# 9 p.m. Wis.-Superior# 1 p.m. at MCLA 3:30 p.m. at Salem St. 3 p.m. at Clark (Mass.) 12 p.m. at Clark (Mass.) 2:30 p.m. at Castleton St. 2 p.m. at Castleton St. 5 p.m. at Plattsburgh St. 3 p.m at Southern Vermont 3 p.m. at Lasell* TBA at Lasell* TBA at Johnson & Wales (R.I.)* 1 p.m. at Johnson & Wales (R.I.)* 3 p.m. DANIEL WEBSTER 2 p.m. DANIEL WEBSTER 4 p.m. LYNDON ST. 3 p.m. at Lesley 7 p.m. at Plymouth St. 4 p.m. ALBERTUS MAGNUS* 2 p.m. ALBERTUS MAGNUS* 4:30 p.m. at Rivier* 1 p.m. at Rivier* 3:30 p.m. at Anna Maria* 12 p.m. at Anna Maria* 2:30 p.m. SAINT JOSEPH’S (Me.)* 2 p.m. SAINT JOSEPH’S (Me.)* 4:30 p.m. ST. MICHAEL’S 4 p.m. EMERSON* 1 p.m. EMERSON* 3:30 p.m. SUFFOLK* 1 p.m. SUFFOLK* 3:30 p.m GNAC First Round TBA GNAC Quarterfinals TBA GNAC Semifinals TBA GNAC Finals TBA
Home games in BOLD CAPS # at Tucson, Arizona (gametimes eastern) * Indicates GNAC contest
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About Norwich University Founded in 1819 by Captain Aldridge Partridge, Norwich University is nestled in the Green Mountains in Northfield, Vermont. Norwich is the nation’s oldest private military college. Today Norwich University offers educational opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. The undergraduate experience offers a choice of being in the Corps of Cadets or as a civilian student. Both lifestyles are integrated within the classroom, athletic teams and student organizations. Norwich’s undergraduate student population of 2200 hail from 40 different states and 20 foreign countries. Eightyone percent of the 157 faculty hold terminal degrees. Norwich boasts a student to faculty ratio of 14:1 and is proud of its long tradition of excellence in teaching and personal attention given to students. Thirty academic programs, including a teacher/education licensure program, and four ROTC programs are offered. Norwich is the birthplace of the ROTC program due to the innovative educational methods of Alden Partridge. As an NCAA Division III school, the University sponsors varsity athletic competition in men’s and women’s ice hockey, football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, women’s volleyball, wrestling, men’s tennis and men’s and women’s swimming and diving, as well as men’s and women’s rugby. On campus Norwich offers 80 clubs and organizations including academic and professional societies, special interest clubs and a range of religious, military and community service organizations. Under its School of Graduate Studies, Norwich offers 10 online graduate degrees at the Master’s level and one certificate program. Enrollment in the graduate school is 1200 students. Norwich University is located in Northfield, Vt., just 15 miles from Montpelier, the state capital.
Athletics Directory Director of Intercollegiate Athletics: Tony Mariano
485-2230
Associate Director of Athletics: TBA Administrative Assistant: Cathy Diego
485-2230
Sports Information Director: Mark Adkins Assoc: Charlie Crosby Asst: Derek Dunning Intern: Matt Albury
485-2160 485-2011 485-2902 485-2241
Head Athletic Trainer: David Botelho, ATC Asst: Kristen Scott, ATC Asst: Joe Martinez, ATC Asst: Nicole Therrien ATC
485-2236 485-2236 485-2236 485-2236
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Jeff Kruger
485-2693
Equipment Manager: Scott Mullen Asst: Brent Maxfield
485-2247 485-2247
Varsity Coaches Notable Alumni Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA (Ret.) ’59 US Army Chief of Staff, 1991-95 Pierson G. Mapes ’59 Former President, NBC Television Douglas M. McCracken ’70 Former CEO, Deloitte Consulting Brig. Gen Jesus A. Manguel, USA ’59 Chief Operating Officer, National Industries for the Blind Maj. Gen. Russell Todd, USA ’50 President Emeritus, Norwich Univ. William N. Preismeyer ’67 CEO, Cymbet Corporation; Former CFO, Jostens, Inc. Jay. S. Witzel ’70 President & CEO, Carlson Hotels Emily Caruso ’00 Member, U.S. Shooting Team for 2004 & 2008 Olympic Games Allen Doyle ’71 Two-time U.S. Senior Open Champion
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Baseball: John Rhoades
485-2238
Men’s Basketball: Paul Booth
485-2239
Women’s Basketball: Mark Zacher 485-2229 Cross Country: Nick Cooper
485-2272
Football: Mark Murnyack
485-2233
Men’s Ice Hockey: Mike McShane 485-2242 Women’s Ice Hockey: Mark Bolding485-2302 Men’s Lacrosse: Neal Anderson
485-2592
Women’s Lacrosse: Beth Van Parys 485-2847 Men’s Rugby: Bob Weggler
485-2237
Women’s Rugby: Austin Hall
485-2921
Men’s Soccer: Kyle Dezotell
485-2240
Women’s Soccer: Beth Van Parys
485-2847
Softball: Greg McGrath
485-2121
Swimming & Diving: Laura Dunn
485-2241
Men’s Tennis: Kyle Dezotell
485-2240
Volleyball: Ashlynn Nuckols
485-2590
Wrestling: John Hartupee
485-2248
Head Coach John Rhoades John Rhoades (New Hampshire ‘93) John Rhoades enters his seventh season as the head baseball coach at Norwich University in the spring of 2012. Rhoades also serves as the offensive coordinator for the NU football team. In 2010, Rhoades oversaw a Cadets team that qualified for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament for the first time since 2005. Prior to coaching collegiately, Rhodes was an assistant coach at Windsor (Vt.) High School from 1996-98. He also served as the head coach of the Hartford (Vt.) American Legion team in the summer of 1996. As a football coach, Rhoades has made stops at Plymouth State, his alma mater New Hampshire and Bowdoin College. Rhoades earned a degree in Physical Education from the University of New Hampshire in 1993. Rhoades resides in Northfield with his wife, Annette, and their daughter, Ashlyn. He enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family.
Rhoades enters his seventh season at the helm of the Norwich program.
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Norwich Coaching Staff Bill Russell - Assistant Coach 2011 marks Bill Russell's fourth season as an assistant coach of the Norwich University baseball team. Russell also serves as the inside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator for the football team. Before coaching, Russell played varsity baseball at Kennebunk (Maine) High School. He served as team captain his senior year. Russell played four years of college football at Mount Ida, serving as a team captain during his senior season of 2004.
Russell, who graduated from Mount Ida in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in Child Development, was on the Mustangs football coaching staff from 2005-08 before moving on to Norwich in the fall of that year. Russell and his wife Deanna reside in Northfield with Hudson (6), Lydia (4), and baby daughter Darby. The family has two dogs, Tebow and Keisha. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing and watching Boston Red Sox baseball. He is also an avid Florida Gators fan.
David Scarchilli - Assistant Coach Col. David J. Scarchilli (RET) enters his third season assisting with the Norwich baseball team in 2011. A native of Utica, N.Y., Scarchilli received a commission in the U.S. Army through the Norwich University Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program following his graduation from Norwich in 1981. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education during his time at NU. Scarchilli also holds a Master of Arts degree in Business Management from Webster University (St Louis, Mo.) as well as a Master’s degree in Strategic Resource Management from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (Washington, D.C.). His military education includes the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (resident) and the National Defense University (resident). After more than 25 years on active duty, Scarchilli settled with his family in Tampa, Fla., where he was an Army JROTC Instructor before becoming the Director of Army Instruction in Hillsborough County. Once a Cadet, always a Cadet, Scarchilli accepted the position of Assistant Commandant of Cadets at his alma mater in August 2009. He presently serves as the Staff Principal Advisor to the Cadet 3rd (Rook) Battalion. Col. Scarchilli is married to the former Christine Nelson. The couple resides in Northfield with their son, Frank. The family thoroughly enjoys the four seasons and being a part of the Norwich community.
Bob Cutler - Assistant Coach 2012 will be Bob Cutler's first year with the coaching staff at Norwich University. While at the University of Maine, Bob transitioned from playing to coaching, taking classes on sport specifics and volunteering at camps, clinics and local schools. After college, Cutler worked at a Baseball Training Center outside of Boston where he was quickly promoted to Director of Player Development working with former University of Maine coaches developing a standard for which all players would be coached and how coaches would instruct. While in this position, Bob has the opportunity to work with players from Little League to the professional ranks. Bob resides with his family in Fayston, Vt. When not coaching, watching or talking about baseball he enjoys golfing and traveling with his family. Bob considers himself an avid fan of all sports and competitions.
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2012 Season Preview For the second straight year the Norwich University baseball team heads out to Arizona to start its season. The team will open the 2012 season Sunday, Mar. 11, when it takes on National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) school Valley City State. During their time out west the Cadets will play six teams over seven days including four NAIA schools (Valley City State, Dakota Wesleyan, Illinois Tech, Dickinson State) and two NCAA schools (Calvin and Wisconsin-Superior). "On this year's trip we will be looking to see how the new off and preseason workouts have improved the players' performance," said head coach John Rhoades. "We want to see the players improve daily and gain valuable playing experience as well as compete while playing against some very good teams. "Being able to play non-league games against good competition is great for the players and coaches. The people at Tuscon Invitational Games out in Arizona did a great job meeting our needs with competitive games and quality practice time." The Cadets will look to junior third baseman/outfielder Dustin Shimkus (Collinsville, Ill./Metro East Lutheran) to once again pace the team offensively. Shimkus is coming off a strong sophomore campaign in which he was named to the Great Northeast Athletic Team (GNAC) second team for the second straight year. Shimkus led Norwich at the plate in 2011 with team-highs in batting average (.337), slugging percentage (.500), RBIs (13), at-bats (86), total bases (43), doubles (seven) and home runs (one). He also ranked second on the squad in on-base percentage (.383), runs scored (13) and triples (two). "It is very important to have a consistent bat (.361 career batting average) like Dustin's in the lineup," stated Rhoades. "I believe that any coach we compete against would want to have Dustin (in his lineup)." Other key bats in the Norwich lineup include senior infielder Joe Sleeman (Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena) and sophomores Devin Cilley (Tunbridge, Vt./South Royalton) and Charles Schaub (East Hampton, Conn./East Hampton). Sleeman is coming off a strong junior campaign in which he batted .235 with five RBIs and a triple. Cilley hit .269, the third highest batting average on the team, while tying for second in RBIs (nine), doubles (four) and third in triples (one) in his first year of collegiate baseball. Schaub also had a solid freshman slate in which he batted .220, drove in seven runs and recorded two doubles. "If Sleeman can have a breakout senior year and Cilley and Schaub continue to improve from their freshman season, I think we will have a good offense," said Rhoades. Three veterans will look to anchor the starting rotation in senior Alexandro Cardoza (Cicero, Ill./Cristo Rey Jesuit) and juniors Brad Hudson (Eugene, Oregon/South Eugene) and Jonathan Philbrook (Rochester, Mass./Old Colony). 7
Senior INF Joe Sleeman
2012 Season Preview Cardoza, a lefthander, notched 15 strikeouts over 22 innings of work a season ago. Hudson is coming off a gritty effort in his final start of 2011 in which he went 6.2 innings giving up five hits and only two earned runs in a 4-3 loss to GNAC regular-season and tournament champion Saint Joseph's (Maine). Philbrook recorded 17 strikeouts in 19.2 innings last year. In addition sophomore Craig Leverone (Lexington, Mass./Minuteman Technical) will look to challenge for a starting job. Senior Don DiBastiani (White Hall, Md./North Hartford) could see spot duty as a starter as well as coming out of the bullpen. The relief corps also contains juniors Ben Kleiner (Cheshire, Mass./Cheshire) and Ryan Williams (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) and freshman Brandon Place (Concord, N.H./Concord). "I'm expecting our pitching staff to step up and improve daily by throwing strikes, reducing walks and hit batsman and competing to allow us to stay in games," said Rhoades. The infield looks to have Shimkus at third, Cilley at short, Sleeman at second with Cardoza and senior Seth Knihtila (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont Regional) splitting time at first base. Sleeman will slide to third Senior RHP/1B Alexandro Cardoza when Shimkus is in the outfield with senior Corey Shearer (Montague, Mass./Turners Falls) or junior J.J. Losco (Wakefield, Mass./Wakefield) taking over at second. Senior Devin Robbins (Monmouth, Maine/Monmouth Academy) adds depth to the middle infield. The competition to hold down the spot behind the plate is a three-way battle between junior Stephen Beardsley (Olney, Md./Washington Christian) and freshmen Jordan Britton (Haverhill, Mass./Whittier Technical) and Brad Crickard (Stafford, N.H./Coe Brown Northwood). Britton could also see some time at first. "I believe we have solid depth in the infield with three players competing at catcher and first base as well as two players each at second, shortstop and third." The outfield will see Schaub, Philbrook, Place and sophomores Scott Yashinski (Kintnersville, Pa./Palisades) and Nicholas Gendron (Alstead, N.H./Vermont Academy) all in the mix for playing time. "We don't have as much depth at the outfield positions," said Rhoades. "I believe the players we do have at those positions are more than capable." Rhoades has been extremely happy with the enthusiasm and effort the team has shown in the offseason in preparation for this year's campaign under the stewardship of team captains Philbrook, Shimkus and Shearer. "I'm very pleased with the leadership of the three captains during the offseason and preseason," he said. "They have been great examples both on and off the field. They've set high standards for the team and are holding everyone accountable to that standard." Norwich's first home action is not scheduled until Tuesday, Apr. 3, when they host Daniel Webster at Garrity Field for a doubleheader, weather permitting. The opening pitch for the first game is set for 2 p.m.
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2012 Norwich Roster 2012 NORWICH BASEBALL NUMERICAL ROSTER No. 1 2 3 4 6 8 9 11 12 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 28 29
Name Corey Shearer Ben Kleiner Joe Sleeman Jonathan Philbrook Devin Cilley Devin Robbins Charles Schaub Stephen Beardsley Brad Crickard Dustin Shimkus Brad Hudson Alexandro Cardoza Scott Yashinski Nicholas Gendron Seth Knihtila Brandon Place J.J. Losco Jordan Britton Don DiBastiani Craig Leverone Ryan Williams
Cl. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr.
Pos. INF RHP INF RHP/OF RHP/INF INF OF C C/OF OF RHP LHP/1B OF OF RHP/1B RHP/OF INF C/1B RHP RHP RHP
B/T R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R L/L R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R
Ht. 5-10 5-8 5-6 6-0 5-11 5-8 5-9 5-9 5-9 6-1 5-8 5-7 6-0 6-1 6-0 5-9 5-6 6-0 5-11 5-8 6-2
Wt. 200 160 172 184 172 155 162 210 180 181 170 181 178 210 210 176 166 218 179 246 172
Hometown/High School Montague, Mass./Turner Falls Cheshire, Mass./Hoosac Valley Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena Rochester, Mass./Old Colony Tunbridge, Vt./South Royalton Monmouth, Maine/Monmouth Acad. East Hampton, Conn./East Hampton Olney, Md./Wash. Christian Acad. Stafford, N.H./Coe Brown Northwood Collinsville, Ill./Metro East Lutheran Eugene, Ore./South Eugene Cicero, Ill./Cristo Rey Jesuit Kintnersville, Pa./Palisades Alstead, N.H./Vermont Academy Westminster, Mass./Oakmont Region. Concord, N.H./Concord Wakefield, Mass./Wakefield Haverhill, Mass./Whittier Technical White Hall, Md./North Hartford Lexington, Mass./Minuteman Tech. Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian
Head Coach: John Rhoades (New Hampshire ‘93), 7th season Assistant Coaches: Bob Cutler, Bill Russell, David Scarchilli Strength & Conditioning: Jeff Kruger Athletic Trainer: Kristen Scott
2012 Norwich Baseball Team 9
Meet Your 2012 Cadets Jonathan Philbrook
Dustin Shimkus
Junior RHP 6-0, 184 Rochester, Mass. Old Colony
Junior Outfield 6-1, 181 Collinsville, Ill. Metro East Lutheran
Corey Shearer
Joe Sleeman
Senior Shortstop 5-10, 200 Montague, Mass. Turners Falls
Senior Third Base 5-6, 172 Rochester, N.Y. Greece Athena
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4 1
3
Don DiBastiani
Alexandro Cardoza
Senior RHP 5-11, 179 White Hall, Md. North Hartford
Senior LHP/First Base 5-7, 181 Cicero, Ill. Cristo Rey Jesuit
16
26
Brad Hudson
Seth Knihtila
11
15
Senior RHP/First Base 6-0, 210 Westminster, Mass. Oakmont Regional
Junior RHP 5-8, 170 Eugene, Ore. South Eugene
Ben Kleiner
Charles Schaub
Sophomore RHP 5-8, 160 Cheshire, Mass. Cheshire
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2
Sophomore Outfield 5-9, 162 East Hampton, Conn. East Hampton
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Meet Your 2012 Cadets Devin Cilley Sophomore RHP/Util. 5-11, 172 Tunbridge, Vt. South Royalton
Devin Robbins
21
Senior Infield 5-8, 155 Monmouth, Maine Monmouth Academy
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Stephen Beardsley
Brad Crickard
Junior Catcher 5-9, 210 Olney, Md. Washington Christian
Freshman Catcher/Outfield 5-9, 180 Strafford, N.H. Coe Brown Northwood
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Scott Yashinski
Nicholas Gendron
Sophomore Outfield 6-0, 178 Kintnersville, Pa. Palisades
Sophomore Outfield 6-1, 210 Alstead, N.H. Vermont Academy
19
18
Brandon Place
J.J. Losco
Freshman RHP/Outfield 5-9, 176 Concord, N.H. Concord
Junor Infield 5-6, 166 Wakefield, Mass. Wakefield
21
24
Jordan Britton
Craig Leverone
Freshman Catcher/1B 6-0, 218 Haverhill, Mass. Whittier Technical
Sophomore RHP 5-8, 246 Lexington, Mass. Minuteman Technical
28
25 11
Meet Your 2012 Cadets
Ryan Williams
29
Junior RHP 6-2, 172 Plano, Texas Prestonwood Christian
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2012 NORWICH BASEBALL