Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Seniors, the coaching staff and I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done over these last years. You guys were the first true recruiting class of ours and what a difference you have been able to make in our Cardinal Baseball Program over four years. When I talked with all of you about our vision for the program when you were seniors in high school, I said we need people/players that wanted to be a part of something special and make a difference. Looking back, all of you have been able to do this individually and as a senior class. This group has had a positive impact on the program and helped create a culture of competitive excellence both on and off the field.

I want to thank the parents of these eight seniors for all of the support you have shown your son’s, and the program over these last four years. You, just like the players, are a part of our Cardinal Baseball Family and I want to thank you for allowing all of us to have the experience of being around these eight great seniors. Thank you both seniors and your families.

We want to thank Mike Feriancek for being one of the best teammates we have ever had in the program since I have been around Cardinal Baseball. Mike is a very special person that doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. Mike has developed into a player that we can count on both on and off the field no matter the situation. Mike has a heart of gold and I cannot think of a better role model for our younger players to have around on a daily bases both on and off the field. Mike brings this program a sense of leadership, accountability, work ethic, and competitiveness that you hope all your student-athletes bring daily and it rubs off on all of his teammates. I want to thank Mike for all that he has done and will continue to do for both SMU and our Cardinal Baseball Family. I know Mike will be highly successful down the road and we wish him nothing but the best!

We want to thank Justin Kronebusch for just being Krone!  Justin is a hard working no-nonsense kind of person that many in the program have grown to love for the attitude he brings to the park every day he puts on his spikes. Justin has grown as a pitcher and a person over his time here at SMU, and we were extremely excited and grateful that Krone decided to transfer in half way through his freshman year. Justin has made himself into a great game two pitcher of a double header. Many people don’t understand how tough it is to pitch the second game of a double header because there is always a lot riding on that game and no one gives us a toughness to win that game two as Krone has over the last two seasons. Justin brings this program a no-nonsense attitude and work ethic that has rubbed off on others and that attitude will allow Krone to be successful down the road. I want to thank Justin for all that he has done and will continue to do for both SMU and our Cardinal Baseball Family!

We want to thank Vince Lulic for bringing this program the belief and attitude that we will be successful at whatever we do. Vince is an old school player in my eyes that after games his uniform is always dirty from top to bottom and he plays hard every pitch. Vince has been willing to fill many different roles for the program over the last four years, from catcher to infielder, to now in the outfield. He has worked hard to be the best he can be both on the field and in the classroom. What has impressed me the most is how much he has matured over these last four years.  If you know Vince you know he doesn’t lack confidence, which is why he is able to play beyond his athletic ability many times, but also I have seen a young man that has matured and gain insight into what it means to have, “Humble Confidence” . The idea that he knows he will be successful but he respects the fact he can be beat. I believe that mind-set will allow Vince to be successful in life and I hope he decides to coach one day so he can get a little bit of his own medicine. Haha.  I want to thank Vince for all that he has done and will continue to do for both SMU and our Cardinal Baseball Family!

We want to thank Sean Minder for being a good ole left handed pitcher that drives all hitters crazy. Even though Sean was only with us for these past two seasons he has given us a reliable lefty out of the pen and in those highly important spot starts. Sean isn’t going to blow you away with his fastball but he is able to be successful because he thinks like a true pitcher. As we all started to get the know Sean over these two seasons, we see a person that is a great teammate and willing to do whatever he can to help the team be successful.  It’s because of players like Sean that buy into their roles that you are able to start to build a great foundation for years to come in the program.  My only wish is that Sean could have been a part of our Cardinal Baseball Family from the very start of his college experience. I want to thank Sean for all that he has done and will continue to do for both SMU and our Cardinal Baseball Family!

We want to thank Sam Nord for his willingness to come in and pitch in big spots and be the goofy left-handed pitcher all teams need. We have seen Sam grow so much over four years that it is a joy to see the man he has turn into. If I could go back in time and video tape Sam as a freshman to Sam now I know it would bring a smile to his face to see how much he has grown. Sam has really learned how to compete everyday he is on the field and has turned himself into a very effective sidearm lefty that can get big out in big spots. I am proud of what Sam has been able to do both in the classroom and on the field over these past four years. We will miss Sam’s goofy smile and fun personality next year but I know Sam has grown into someone that is ready to take on the next step. I want to thank Sam for all that he has done and will continue to do for both SMU and our Cardinal Baseball Family!

We want to thank Kyle Servais for bringing a passion for the game of baseball and the work ethic he has daily. Servy is one of the special kids that all coaches hope they can have on the team every year. He is a player that buys into his role and will do anything to help his teammates and team get better. Servy has shown great patience for his time to shine and he is having a great senior season both behind the plate and hitting. He is someone that believes in the process of getting better and I only wish we could have Servy in the program for another 4 years because he deserves it! I remember Servy’s first year with us when every day after practice I would ask how he was doing and each time I thought he was about to break into tears. (Sorry Serv) Then we went on our spring trip where he came out of his shell and it is all history from there. I know because of Kyle’s work ethic and desire to be great he has left a great mark on our Cardinal Baseball Family. I want to thank Kyle for all that he has done and will continue to do for both SMU and our Cardinal Baseball Family!

We want to thank Matt Tessmer for having a trust and belief that through hard work and dedication great things will come. I have seen Matt deal with many injuries from his senior year in high school to now, and even though it’s been tough on him, he has never skipped a beat. I am proud of Matt’s work ethic and drive to come back to play each time he has been given a challenge. I do know for certain that this kid deserves some breaks down the road, and when those breaks happen, he will be ready and prepared  to dominate those opportunities. Matt has shown great leadership through this work ethic and his passion for baseball that rubs off on all of his teammates. I know Matt will be a very special teacher and coach down the road. Someone that will have a great impact on the young people he works with. If more players had Matt’s willingness to work and positive outlook on tough situations we would have more winners in the world and less whiners! I want to thank Matt for all that he has done and will continue to do for both SMU and our Cardinal Baseball Family!

We want to thank Teddy VanRanst for being a hard-nosed, hardworking ball player that has always led by example both on and off the field. I have known Ted since he was a little kid and I can tell you that his drive to be great has never changed. Teddy is one of those players that is a great leader through his actions and when he talks his teammates listen. He has the respect of his teammates and coaches, because he has worked hard for every opportunity he has been given. Teddy, like many of the other seniors, has really grown over the last four years and has put a stamp on the Cardinal Baseball Family in a very positive light. I have seen a player that works hard after a bad start, but works harder after a great start. Teddy’s toughness and openness to learn from the past will be what allows Teddy to be successful long after he leaves SMU. We have seen Teddy grow throughout these past four years in front of our eyes on the mound, and I know when he looks back he will have said that he left everything he had out on the field.  That’s all you can ask for out of any player and I am sure happy that he did that in a Cardinal uniform. I want to thank Teddy for all that he has done and will continue to do for both SMU and our Cardinal Baseball Family!