Lehigh University Athletics
A senior class unlike any other
4/27/2011 10:08:00 PM | Baseball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Senior Day is a tradition amongst collegiate athletics. It's an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the commitment the eldest have shown to the program- the members of the team who made it through four years of training, early morning lifts and competition. It is the usual practice on this particular day to surrender the slots in the lineup to those being honored. For the seniors on the men's baseball team, special accommodations to the roster aren't necessary- Senior Day or not, they're on the field regardless.
It is a luxury for a coach to be able to build a roster around the oldest and most experienced players, but it is a rarity to have the option to produce a full line-up on this premise. Head Coach Sean Leary knows just how fortunate he is.
“When you have a group of players who you can put out there that have played 150-200 games and have a thorough understanding of the team's system- that is something special.”
“When you have a group of players who you can put out there that have played 150-200 games and have a thorough understanding of the team's system- that is something special.”
Special just may be an understatement.
The core class of 2011, consisting of Ross Biggs (Bethlehem, Pa.), Billy Goldman (Narbeth, Pa.), Mike Lebo (Lauderdale, Pa.), Brendan McGaheran (Nazareth, Pa.), Kevin Milhalik (Schnecksville, Pa.), Luke Porter (Narbeth, Pa.), Andrew Russell (Doylestown, Pa.), Logan Winchester (Bethlehem, Pa.), Austin Borden (State College, Pa.) and Brendan Pifer (State College, Pa.), has made a major impact on the program since they were freshman.
These 10, along with the help of fifth-year senior Jordan Warnake (Freehold N.J.) and transfers Sean Kileen (Tulane University) and Chad Warga (University of Pittsburgh) have transformed a team that went a combined overall record of 34-63-1 in 2008 and 2009 to an appearance in the Patriot League Tournament semifinal in 2010, and the ability of a repeat performance this season with an overall record of 23-18 so far.
Not to mention, this class has combined for for 1,031career hits.
“These guys have not only made their mark early, but have made adjustments over the years that has enabled them to continue to make major contributions,” said Leary.
A recent example of the magnitude of their presence was in the Mountain Hawks 3-1 series victory over first-place Army two weekends ago. Lebo struck out four and allowed only two runs in six innings to earn the victory in game one, six out of eight runs in game two's triumph were driven in by seniors including a grand slam by Milhalik and a home run by Goldman, and in game three's win, the senior clan owned five out of Lehigh's six RBIs.
“Having so many veterans in the lineup has served us well,” said Leary. “Especially in close game situations.”
“Having so many veterans in the lineup has served us well,” said Leary. “Especially in close game situations.”
The class of 2011 is getting used to playing in big games. Last year, the Mountain Hawks' thrilling season ended in a 2-1 semifinal series loss to Holy Cross. It was the first time Lehigh had made the tournament since 2006. The team, especially the seniors, took the loss in stride as a learning experience for their final season.
“It was great to finally make the tournament last year, but it has only made us more hungry to win it all this year,” said Goldman. “ I think the experience of being in the playoffs last year will serve us well as a team. The intensity increases in the Patriot League tournament, and I don't think our line up was ready for that last year.”
A Patriot League title would be the fitting end to a group that has made leaps and bounds in the program since its first spring on the diamond. McGaheran, Winchester, Russell, and Goldman started almost every game for the Mountain Hawks as freshmen, while Borden saw time in over half of the games.
Leary stressed that in baseball especially, it isn't uncommon for freshmen starters to fall out of the starting rotation due to the sophistication of team scouting reports and the increased need for players to progress mentally.
Three years have passed since then, and they are only getting better.
“Coming in as a freshman, I knew I could impact the program right away, and I'm just glad things worked out right from the start,” said Goldman. “I am much better now than I was three years ago. I am a much smarter hitter, and I now have some sort of clue about the game of baseball.”
Goldman, along with Russell, has honed his hitting skills so well throughout the years, that he has exceeded the top ten players in program history for most of the offensive categories including career hits and RBIs. The duo has combined for 378 career hits so far, making them the most productive classmates in the history of Lehigh baseball.
Although the outfielders are close on and off the field, Goldman and Russell have an opposite approach in the batter's box. Goldman is quick to swing early in the count, while Russell tends to be more patient.
Although the outfielders are close on and off the field, Goldman and Russell have an opposite approach in the batter's box. Goldman is quick to swing early in the count, while Russell tends to be more patient.
“Andy's understanding of hitting and the strike zone is the best that I have ever coached,” said Leary. “Billy is the polar opposite. He is more aggressive, and doesn't see as many pitches. Regardless of the different hitting styles, they both really know how to hit the ball.”
The statistics the seniors have produced over their careers pay homage to their athletic contribution, but the underclassmen's admiration for the group exemplifies just how highly they are regarded all around.
Lebo, Milhalik, McGaheran, and Goldman hold the title of captains, but the senior class, as a whole, has been proactive in garnering relationships with their young teammates and acting as mentors. They have been instrumental not only in helping the team on the field, but have also been a support system in the classroom.
“I have played a significant role as one of our team's academic mentors, especially to the younger guys,” said Goldman. “I helped many of them with selecting classes and dealing with various academic issues that occur throughout a student's first year of college.”
Out of all the milestones the group has reached, Leary speaks the fondest of their leadership growth.
“I am most proud that they took a conscience effort to shape their ability as leaders,” said Leary. “In my opinion, this class has made greater strides than any other team in that respect. They have really come to understand how big of a role leadership plays within a team.”
Besides being respected by their younger teammates, there is camaraderie between the class of 2011 that allows them to be so successful as a group. A bond that goes much further than the baseball diamond.
“Our senior class is very close,” said Goldman. “We have our own small groups, but as a whole, we understand each other and act as if we were brothers. We have great chemistry.”
On and off the field, the 2011 seniors have made their mark within the program. Upon graduation, the Mountain Hawks will not only have a full diamond to replace, but big shoes to fill. Not to say that they don't have the talent to do so.
“We have a lot of younger guys on the team with incredible talent, who would be starting without a doubt--if it were any other year,” said Leary.
Story written by Lauren Mains '11
Story written by Lauren Mains '11
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