Zach Schmidt

A memorable 40 wins. A Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship, including the tournament's Most Valuable Player. An NCAA Tournament appearance. Two Major League Baseball Draft picks.

Last season provided Miami baseball fans with plenty of memories and thrills, while also cementing goals for the future.

And while fifth-year head coach Tracy Smith takes pride into what he has made the Miami baseball program, he recognizes that the team is not satisfied with what has already been accomplished.

"Last year's MAC Tournament championship was extra special since we have been so close the past couple of years, but we have just broken the ice," said Smith. "The monkey is off our back, but both the coaches and players feel the same way-we don't want to stop at one championship."

Clark Mace

The RedHawks came up short of a tournament championship the previous two years. In 1998, Miami dropped two games on the last day of the tourney to Bowling Green and fell short of reaching the NCAA Tournament. The following year, the RedHawks once again fell victim to the Falcons and lost the tournament's championship game, falling 5-4 in eight innings.

However, Miami has lost the services of a group of exceptional players from last year, four to graduation and two to the Major League Baseball Draft. Obviously, replacing those players won't be an easy task.

Nate Tekavec was selected in the 12th Round by the Detroit Tigers and John Lackaff was taken in the 15th Round by the Chicago White Sox.

"It is going to be a tough task to fill the voids from our seniors, John (Lackaff) and Nate (Tekavec)," said Smith. "Nate posted nine wins each of the past three years and Lackaff was great both offensively and defensively. Our seniors, especially Joe (Spain) and Bobby (Barnes), put up great numbers last season and we need to find the players that will step up and take on the responsibility."

Miami should have enough talent returning, coupled with a promising recruiting class, to ease the pain of the departures.

Jeremy Ison

"Offensively, I think we should be able to make up for losing those guys and we should be able to match the offensive output from last year," added Smith. "I am a little concerned about our pitching because we are going to rely on a lot of pitchers with very little experience.

"Someone always steps up, though, and it will be no different this year. We just don't know who it will be. If things come together, I know we have enough talent that will allow us to compete like we did last year."

OUTFIELDERS
Leading the pack in the outfield will be one of Miami's most prolific all-time baseball players, senior Clark Mace. Mace, who already owns the RedHawks' career records for hits (231) and runs (168), and is on pace to break the school's mark for at-bats, RBIs, total bases and stolen bases. A first-team all-MAC selection last year, Mace batted .346 with 65 runs, 11 home runs and 49 RBIs.

"He is no secret to anyone around the Mid-American Conference anymore," said Smith of his center fielder. "He has been a mainstay for us the past three years and this year will be no different."

Sophomore David Cook is expected to start in left field for Miami, while junior college transfer Jason Knoedler will be the opening day starter in right field. Cook batted .240 with 10 RBIs and 12 runs while starting 14 games in the outfield. Knoedler, who journeyed to Miami after two years at Lincoln Land Community College, led the nation in stolen bases with 54 and batted .422 for the NJCAA Division II national champions.

"Clearly, Cook separated himself from the pack and it is his position to lose," said Smith. "Jason's speed is phenomenal and he will make an immediate contribution to our program."

Brady Nori, Tom Yost and Eddie Tillitz will all get an opportunity to see action as well in the outfield.

INFIELDERS
Miami's infield is centered around senior shortstop Jeremy Ison, a second-team all-MAC selection last year. Ison batted .330 with a team-high 15 home runs for the RedHawks in 2000. Needing only seven home runs to break Miami's all-time mark, Ison has 26 in his three years for the Red and White.

"Jeremy is the guy in our infield that we can't afford to lose," said Smith. "He is our power hitter and our leader on the infield."

Starting at second base is sophomore Zach Schmidt, who is making the transition from third base to replace Lackaff. Schmidt batted .284 as a freshman with 11 doubles. Backing up Schmidt are freshmen Josh Widlansky and Matt Lee.

A combination of Andi Scheidt and Nori will rotate at first base. According to Smith, both of their bats need to be in the lineup and he figures for them to battle between the designated hitter position and first base.

The biggest question in the infield is at third base. Most likely Scheidt and Michael Carlin are going to vie for the starting role at the hot corner.

Behind the plate, Justin Knoedler, twin-brother of Jason, is expected to have a major impact on the RedHawk squad. Justin also transferred from Lincoln Land Community College where he was the 2000 NJCAA Division II National Player of the Year. Knoedler knocked 34 career home runs in two years at LLCC and was a two-time draftee in the Major League Draft, a 41st-Round pick in the 1998 Draft and a 13th-Round selection in last year's draft.

"He is a great tool player and a very powerful catcher," said Smith. "Justin is a perfect fit into our system because not only is he powerful, but also his speed is a great asset."

Luke Reinhart will serve as Knoedler's backup behind the plate. In 2000, Reinhart started 30 games and batted. 232 with one homer and 17 RBIs.

PITCHERS
Leading the pitching staff is sophomore Chris Leonard, who was named to the Collegiate Baseball Freshmen all-American Honorable Mention list. Leonard finished the 2000 campaign with a team-best 2.79 earned run average and posted an impressive 7-1 record. A first-team all-MAC selection, Leonard led the RedHawks to their first NCAA Tournament win since 1983 when he defeated Creighton 6-3 in the Regional tourney.

"We think Leonard is our ace," said Smith of his talented sophomore lefty. "He has the talent to be very dominant in our league."

Smith is also counting on juniors Russ Bayer and Billy Kieninger to serve as weekend starters. Bayer finished the 2000 campaign with a 8-4 record and a 5.42 ERA, while Kieninger was 6-2 with a 5.73 ERA.

Also figuring to be in the starting rotation mix is junior Mark Floersch and sophomores Judd Richardson and Michael Gardner. Last year, Floersch was redshirted due to injury, while Richardson boasted a 1-1 record and a 8.40 ERA. Gardner is a transfer from the University of Louisville.

In the bullpen, senior Matt Allen is expected to be the frontrunner for the closer role. Last year before suffering an arm injury, Allen was 2-2 with a 6.05 ERA and team-high-tying two saves.

Also expected to see action in the late innings are sophomores Korey Kirkpatrick and Gardner, and senior Rusty Ventresca.

"I think our pitching staff can be dominant once they get more innings," said Smith. "We have a lot of guys who haven't been the frontline guys but this year they are getting their chance."

SCHEDULE
Similar to last year's schedule, Smith has comprised tough non-conference opponents to ready Miami for a tough conference slate. The RedHawks play teams from many conferences such as the Atlantic 10, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Missouri Valley, Ohio Valley, Southeastern (SEC) and Western Athletic (WAC). Additionally, five of Miami's opponents were participant's in the 2000 NCAA Tournament.

"I believe this is the best schedule we have had since I've been here," said Smith. "If we can post around 35 wins this year, hopefully we can get the respect that our conference deserves. The schedule is very strong, but I think we are up for the challenge."