Fall 2010
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Spring 2010 |
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Coach Art MulletAsst. Coaches Scott Ferguson Adam Jantzi |
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| Contact Coach Art Mullet 620-327-8278 Fax 620-327-8427 Recruiting Information Form |
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Oswald Field |
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Archives & Records |
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Stories of the Season |
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Hesston star eyes bright future after remarkable career
Good thing for Hesston College baseball coach Art Mullet that Hesston High School doesn’t offer varsity baseball, or this story may have never unfolded. Then again, perhaps Lee Voth-Gaeddert and Hesston College were always meant for each other.
At any rate, arguably the best player in Mullet’s 30-year tenure enrolled at Hesston with little fanfare. Voth-Gaeddert left a lasting legacy of baseball accomplishment intertwined with a meaningful contribution to the campus community, a combination that all Hesston coaches seek and value.
With no high school resume that may have otherwise stretched Voth-Gaeddert’s recruiting profile far beyond Harvey County, Kan., Mullet was able to reel in the athletic outfielder and give him a chance to develop his game immediately. The results, it seems, were mutually beneficial.
Following a remarkable baseball career at Hesston College, the 2010 alumnus Voth-Gaeddert is taking his game and academic interests to Rolla, Mo., where he will be a junior at Missouri University of Science and Technology. The career record holder in nearly every major offensive category at Hesston, Voth-Gaeddert will balance a civil engineering degree with baseball at the NCAA Division II institution.
A closer look at Voth-Gaeddert’s time at Hesston reveals a student whose identity within the campus community stretched far beyond the confines of Oswald Field, home of Larks baseball.
Reflecting on his time at Hesston, Voth-Gaeddert found commonalities between the relationships formed on the field, in the dorms and the classroom. The relationships he established with teammates, classmates, faculty and staff were the highlight of his Hesston experience.
“I enjoyed playing with guys from all over the country,” Voth-Gaeddert said. “Baseball was the common denominator that brought us to Hesston, and the relationships we developed on the team were very similar to the others that were formed around campus. Like our roster and coaching staff, I found the Hesston College community very accepting and welcoming. It just seemed easy to get acclimated to college life here.”
A superb centerfielder and first baseman, Voth-Gaeddert set the standard for career batting average (.444), runs scored (88), hits (107), doubles (21), triples (8), and runs batted in (63). His success was a big reason the Larks finished with winning seasons in each of the past two years. A glance at previous records in each of those categories illustrates just how productive the local product’s two seasons were at Hesston. Prior to the spring of ’09, the bar was set at .387, 60, 79, 19, 5 and 58, respectively, for those six career marks.
“No one in my program over the years has worked harder at improving his game than Lee,” Mullet said. “He was typically the first one at practice and the last one to leave. A very positive influence on his teammates, Lee was a coach’s dream in how he conducted himself on and off the field. I am eager to follow his career at the next level.”
A President’s Scholar at Hesston College, Voth-Gaeddert hit the books as hard as he did fastballs.
“Lee's competitive spirit and work ethic came through in the classroom as well as on the athletic field,” Hesston math instructor Jeff Baumgartner said. “Lee was personable and adaptable and found ways to excel and improve his performance in the academic setting. He has a vision for how his life can be of service to others which extends beyond both the playing field and the classroom.”
So what does the future hold?
“I’ve thought about doing mediation, mission work or serving with a Christian Peacemaker Team down the road,” Voth-Gaeddert said. “My hope is I could incorporate a career in the engineering field with some element of service.”
In the immediate future, it’s off to Rolla to continue the balancing act of managing relationships, baseball and academics.
The Miners, under coach Todd DeGraffenreid, expect the Hesston product to immediately compete for a starting role in the outfield this year.
"Lee’s a quality young man with a lot of upside. He’s extremely athletic and we feel his best days on the diamond are ahead of him,” DeGraffenreid said. “We invested a lot in Lee and are excited to see what he is capable of.”
For Mullet, it’s a new season and a new team, bringing with it the multitasking that is a part of every small college coach’s routine. On the recruiting trail, you can be sure that Mullet will keep an eye out for any future Lee Voth-Gaedderts, wherever they may be.
Seven Larks named to all-region team
The 2010 Hesston College Larks baseball team placed seven members on the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II All-Region team. Earning the award for the second time are Lee Voth-Gaeddert of Hesston, Kan., and Jon Wilson of Hutchinson, Kan. Voth-Gaeddert, the Larks centerfielder, set or tied four season and six career school records this spring, including a .466 batting average for the season, .443 for his career. Wilson batted .286, while playing primarily at third base.
Three sophomores made the all-region team for the first time - outfielder Nick Wesman (Apple Creek, Ohio), and pitchers Phil Hotchkiss (Des Moines, Iowa) and Aaron Grunewald (Wamego, Kan.). Wesman led the team in home runs (5), while batting .402 and making only three errors in the outfield all season. Hotchkiss led the Larks in innings pitched with 56, won four games including a no hitter, and had an earned run average of 5.43. Grunewald won five games including a no hitter with an ERA of 5.96.
Two freshman players, infielder Alex Summy (Bristol, Ind.) and infielder/designated hitter Garrett Kurtz (Sarasota, Fla.), also earned the honor. Summey batted .357, scored 34 runs, and had 25 RBIs. Kurtz, who also pitched for the Larks, batted .349 and collected 34 RBIs, second to Voth-Gaeddert on the team.
The Larks just completed their 2010 season with a record of 22-16.
Rierson, Wyse and Slagell sign to play at Hesston
Hesston College baseball coach Art Mullet has announced the signings of three additional baseball players for the 2010-2011 season. The newest Larks include:
- Logan Rierson, INF, Smoky Valley High School (Lindsborg, Kan.)
- Ben Slagell, OF/RHP, Hydro-Eakly (Okla.) High School
- Corey Wyse, INF/OF/RHP, Archbold (Ohio) High School
Logan Rierson is a middle infielder at Smoky Valley High School, Lindsborg, Kansas. He played with the McPherson American Legion team in the summer of 2009, and led that team in on-base percentage, runs scored, walks and stolen bases. He also played with the Emporia Aeros 2009 fall baseball team.
“Logan is a gutsy competitor with good baseball skills and will contribute to our program immediately next year,” commented Mullet. “He has had experience at a competitive level in the game, and I’m pleased he has chosen to continue his career in our program.”
Rierson is the son of Roy and Benita Rierson, McPherson.
Ben Slagell was selected to the Western Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association all-star game following his senior year in which he hit .427 with 30 runs batted in and 21 stolen bases.
A two-sport athlete at Hydro-Eakly, Slagell also played basketball.
Slagell is a member of Pleasant View Mennonite Church, Hydro, and is active in the youth group there.
“Ben is a gifted young man, not only athletically, but also in the classroom,” Mullet said. “I’m very pleased he has chosen our program to begin his college career. He has accumulated impressive statistics at Hydro, and will compete for an outfield spot here at Hesston.”
Slagell is the son of Gaylon and Jennifer Slagell, Hydro.
Corey Wyse, a two-sport athlete at Archbold High, is an athletic player who will bolster the Hesston lineup in a variety of ways.
A Dean’s Scholarship recipient at Hesston, Wyse is a member of Central Mennonite Church in Archbold. He is active in the youth group and has been involved with several service projects.
“Corey has come through a very solid high school baseball program at Archbold and will be well-prepared to transition to college baseball,” said Mullet. “He’s an athletic and versatile player, and will compete for an infield spot here, as well as do some pitching for us. He’s also a very fine scholar and will be a fine addition to our campus community.”
Wyse is the son of Mike and Julia Wyse, Archbold.
Hesston baseball ends season with regional loss to Brown Mackie
The Larks hosted the Brown Mackie College Lions (Salina, Kan.) on Monday, May 3rd, in game two of the regional playoff series, with the visitors claiming a 9-4 series-clinching win on the strength of a six-run top of the ninth inning.
Starting pitcher Phil Hotchkiss (Des Moines, Iowa) threw seven quality innings, giving up three runs before giving way to sophomore Aaron Grunewald (Wamego, Kan.) before the top of the 8th. Sophomore outfielder Nick Wesman (Apple Creek, Ohio) had a big day, getting the Larks on the board with a first-inning run and then seemingly putting Hesston in control with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning, his team-high fifth home run of the season.
The Larks end with a 22-16 mark, finishing above .500 for the second year in a row.
Lee Voth-Gaeddert (Hesston, Kan.) closes his Hesston College career as perhaps the best player in school history. The local product has left his fingerprints all over the Larks record book, as he is now the career leader in batting average (.444), runs scored (88), Hits (107), RBI (63), doubles (21), and triples (8).
Hesston splits with Brown Mackie; nears 20-win mark
The Hesston College baseball team moved its season record to 19-12 with a double-header split over Brown Mackie (Salina, Kan.) College on Saturday, April 17, at Oswald Field. The Larks dominated in game one, winning 8-0 in five innings, but fell 10-3 in the nightcap.
In the opener, Hesston starter Garret Kurtz (Sarasota, Fla.) turned in a complete-game three-hit effort, while Lee Voth-Gaeddert (Hesston, Kan.) led the way offensively with a 2-3 showing with three runs batted in. Nick Wesman (Apple Creek, Ohio) went 2-2, and Jake Landers (Overland Park, Kan.) knocked in a pair of runs.
Jon Wilson (Hutchinson, Kan.) had two of Hesston’s five hits in game two. Kaelin Shuck (Liberal, Kan.) took the loss on the mound.
Hesston will get a chance to move above the 20-win plateau when they travel to Manhattan, Kansas, to take on Manhattan Christian College on Tuesday, April 20.
Larks run win streak to seven after consecutive double-header sweeps
The Hesston College baseball team improved its season record to 18-10 following double-header sweeps versus Central Christian JV (McPherson, Kan.) and Bethany College JV (Lindsborg, Kan.), and is now one win shy of tying the school record for consecutive wins.
On Monday, April 12, the Hesston offense banged out a 24-1 win in the opener before winning the nightcap by an 8-3 count. The next night at Oswald Field, the Larks jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and held on for an 8-6 win, then made short work in the second game, winning 8-0 in five innings.
As the season hits the final stretch, several Hesston players are having big seasons, led by sophomore Lee Voth-Gaeddert (Hesston, Kan.), who is batting an incredible .490 with 20 extra base hits. The local product is the team-leader is nearly every offensive category, all the while playing superb defense in centerfield for the Larks. Freshman Garrett Kurtz (Sarasota, Fla.) is second on the team in hits, doubles, and extra base hits, while leading the Larks with 28 RBI.
On the mound, sophomores Scott Stroberg (Hutchinson, Kan.), Phil Hotchkiss (Des Moines, Iowa), and Aaron Grunewald (Wamego, Kan.), have carried the bulk of the load for the Hesston pitching staff. The trio has combined for nearly two-thirds of all innings pitched this season, along with 13 of the 18 team wins.
Hesston will travel to Hutchinson, Kansas, for a rematch with Hutchinson Community College on Thursday, April 15, in search of its eighth straight win.
Larks earn double header sweep at Brown Mackie
The Hesston College baseball team traveled to Salina, Kansas, on Saturday, April 10, to take on Region VI rival Brown Mackie College, sweeping the Lions 12-9 and 9-8 to improve their record to 14-10 on the year.
In game one, Lee Voth-Gaeddert (Hesston, Kan.) and Gus Allen (Severy, Kan.) each had a home and three hits, while Matt Bauman (Dewey, Okla.) had a 2-4 effort at the plate. Three Lark hurlers combined on the win, with Garrett Kurtz (Sarasota, Fla.) closing the game with two perfect innings of relief.
In the nightcap, Hesston scored five in the fourth inning en route to a 7-5 lead that they held heading into the last inning, but Brown Mackie scored twice in the seventh to even the score at 7-7. With two outs in the top of seventh, however, Hesston struck back with back-to-back homers by Voth-Gaeddert and Kurtz, who each finished with two hits, to give the Larks the win.
Sophomore Scott Stroberg (Hutchinson, Kan.) threw seven innings to earn the win, allowing six earned runs with four strikeouts. Corey Rider (Andover, Kan.) pitched the bottom of the eighth to pick up the save.
Larks take down Hutchinson at home
The Hesston College baseball team defeated the Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons (Hutchinson, Kan.) on Thursday, April 8, by a 4-2 score. The game featured a great pitching duel between Lark sophomore Phil Hotchkiss (Des Moines, Iowa) and Hutch sophomore Shawn Lewick (Pretty Praire, Kan.). Hesston freshman Garrett Kurtz (Sarasota, Fla) pitched three solid innings of relief, allowing just a walk and a single, to earn the save for the home team.
Sophomore Nick Wesman (Apple Creek, Ohio) led the charge offensively, belting a pair of solo home runs in his first two at-bats to help Hesston to an early 4-1 lead. The win pushes Hesston to 12-10 on the year.