Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

It’s hard to believe that my college baseball career is already coming to an end. Although I didn’t start my college baseball career at Saint Mary’s I am happy that I have been given the chance to end it here. I may have only came to Saint Mary’s last spring it feels like I have been here for all four years. The friendships that I have made here on and off the field will last me a lifetime. I have never been a part of a closer group of guys then the group that we have in the locker room.

Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad I have to thank you the most for the success that I have had in my career. The sacrifices that you both have made still amaze me. You both have been there for both the good games and the bad games. I thank you most of all for supporting my decision to transfer to Saint Mary’s. The amount of work that you both put in to make sure that I could graduate from a school that I want to be at is something that I will never forget. Dad you always seem to be able to say the right thing after a bad game to make me feel better. Mom you always see the positive in every game and situation, and I am sorry that your sons became pitchers and we never are able to tell you when we will be pitching again.
    
Ryan. Ryan you have pushed my career farther than anyone else. The times that we have been able to be on the same team have been some of the best times of my life. You have pushed me to become better through our competitions, and although after this year we will no longer we be competing against each other in MIAC competition I know that there will be many thousands of games against each other in MLB the show.    It’s too bad that you decided to become an Auggie and not a Cardinal but I am not sure if we could handle baseball together from February through September. You are a great pitcher and I look forward to seeing you succeed in your next two years.

Brexton. Brexton I am glad you have embraced the love of baseball that both your older brothers share. Some of my favorite memories will always be playing wiffleball in the back yard. You are one of the best fielders that I have seen, and if you stay dedicated and continue to work hard the sky is your limit, and hopefully one day you’ll be a Cardinal and not an Auggie.

Kaitlyn. You have been one of my biggest supporters. I am truly thankful to have a younger sister like you. You always seem to talk Mom into letting you go to the late night dome games even when you have school the next day. While my sports career is ending yours is just starting and I can’t wait to watch your meets in the future even if I think you should stop doing track and go back to softball.

Coaches. Coach Winecke I still remember the first time you called me about coming to Saint Mary’s and being surprised that you called me so soon after receiving my information. I cannot thank you enough for doing all the work that you did for me to get here to SMU. I have not only become a better baseball player through your leadership, but a better person. Coach Jake how you are able to handle all the characters on the pitching staff is beyond me. I have countless memories of the jokes you’ve shared with the pitching staff. Over the last year and a half with your help I have improved greatly as a pitcher and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the pitching staff here. Coach Whaley, although you have only been my coach for one year, I have learned a ton. I am glad you decided to come back to Saint Mary’s to coach.

Seniors — Although I did not come in with the rest of you guys I cannot think of a better group of guys that I would want to end my career with. Tessy ,I met you back in freshmen year playing for the hens, and little did I know two years later I would be playing school ball with you. You are a great teammate and always pushing your teammates to be better. Mike, you brought me into this baseball family faster than anyone. We have had a number of fun times down at the complex last year that I’ll never forget. You are one of the nicest kids I know, and I can’t begin to count the number of hits you have tracked down and saved for me. Vinnie, you are one of the easiest people to talk to, and I have enjoy everyone of our random conversations in the outfield during B.P. Nord, you have been my throwing partner for the last two years and although he haven’t always agreed on how long we should throw for, or what is a strike and what isn’t, it’s been a pleasure. Teddy, you have been a great leader for our pitching staff. You always seem to notice when something goes amiss in my windup. I have also enjoyed our countless talks while riding the bikes, and our jokes. If only we were a couple inches taller. Krone it has been great getting to know you these last two seasons. You are a man of few worlds but I always enjoy talking with you, and listening to you and Merkle argue. Servais, you are a great catcher and are always honest when it comes to your pitchers. I am going to miss Tessy, Thelly, and your jokes.

Juniors — Gannon, I have come to like a number of new songs due to yours and Krieger’s extensive knowledge of music, and I have enjoyed our talks on grammar and history with you. Thelly, I am glad that you decided to play mudhens ball last year and that I will be able to continue to play with you this summer in Stillwater. You are one of the smoothest shortstops I have ever played with, and I cannot believe some of the plays you have made. Krieger you are one of the only people out there that can make me laugh just by hearing you laugh, and I hope one day that you won’t continue to loss all your stuff. Pauly, I will never forget the day I enter the locker room for the first time and met you, that moment truly represented what this team is. Merkywaters, I have never met someone who works as hard as you do day in and day out. I have enjoyed being your neighbor this year, and our many talks. Wolfe, you have really opened up since living with Pauly, and Krieger. Maybe one of these years you can save one of the Arizona bombs for Minnesota. Schlemmer, although you haven’t been with us this year you have never been far from our thoughts. It was a blast rooming with you and Willie in AZ, and I enjoy our constant fantasy baseball debates.

Sophomores — Merkle, you are one of the funniest kids I know and you are constantly able to make the pitching staff laugh. Easy on the dugout bandit stuff though. Berry you are one of the friendliest kids on the team, you constantly know about everything that is going on somehow, and keep working on those cage bombs for next year. Regan, you are one of the most positive kids I know, and I look forward to watching you develop in the coming years, also keep up with that swoon. Drew, playing mudhens with you this last summer was a blast, and I look forward to this summer with the loggers, but now that your big time don’t forget where you came from. Chubs, I don’t think I have ever seen you in a bad mood. You are a great teammate and you always seem to find a way to make me laugh. Krysiak, you and Teddy always made pitching practice fun with your constant jokes, and easy on those snap chats. Hopefully your brother can fill Teddy’s role next year, but two Krysiaks might be too much for one team to handle. Serres, I am glad you decided to try out for the team this year. You have made giant strides forward since fall ball and I look forward to watching you continue to get better in the years to come.

Freshmen — Steph, it has been great getting to know you this year, and I am glad that I was able joke around with you and Peder in history class. Willie, it was great running with you in AZ and having a locker right next to you this year, I have never seen an outfield as fast you and Mike out there. Kevin Miley, I am glad you came to your senses and decided to play at Saint Mary’s. You have been a great addition to the team, and some how you already know everybody. Johnson, you are one of the hardest competing pitchers on our staff. You have truly pushed everyone to be better with your upbeat attitude, and drive to succeed. Cale, I am sorry for your backpack during the fantasy draft, also you will have to let me know when your girlfriend finally gets her driver’s license. Hunter, Government class has been a blast with you, and thank you for the tour of Wabasha, and letting me see what the small town life style is like. Redders, you have to stop making so many ridiculous trades, and making ridiculous statements. Dawson, it’s been great having you on the team this year even if you did go to North St. Paul. Hopefully next year there will be less of crabby Dawson. Rayce, you have constantly made laugh this year with your stories that you sell so well. Peder, you’re the best CEO a team could ask for, you have constantly made practice, and class fun. Frosty, thank you for your constant generosity this year, I truly owe you one. Whitey, you have been a blast to have on the team. I have a feeling that one day you are going to be making more money than any of us. Rolain, you are one of the most talkative guys on the team, and I am glad that we were able to have as many conversations as we were during this past season. Ram, bring your mitt. Powers, I am glad that you decided to join the team in the winter, you have been a great addition to the staff, and thank you and Steph for showing me that video, more speed! Ketchmark, thanks for sharing your seeds with me, and catching my bullpens. Kiesner, you’ve been a fun guy to have on the team and I wish you the best luck in the future. Zappa, it’s been great getting to know you this year, but we can’t keep letting Schlemmer keep using Redders as his minor league team. 

Managers. Scotty, I don’t think this program would be able to run without everything you do during practice. Rickey, I am glad you decided to be our manger. We have had some great talks during the year and you, Steph, and Powers are always able to make me laugh. Louisiana! Joe Miley, I am glad that you were able  to convince your brother to transfer here, I can only think of a handful of times where I’ve seen you two apart. You’re also probably the best fongo hitting manager in the MIAC.  

2012 Graduates — Although there were only three of you, you guys were the best senior class that a transfer could have asked for, and I wish I was able to play with you guys for more than one year.

I am truly grateful to have been a part of the Saint Mary’s baseball program. The friendships that I have made through the baseball team are friendships that I will cherish for the rest of my life, and my only regret is that I didn’t transfer to Saint Mary’s sooner.