Crescent-News.com - Defiance baseball preview: Bulldogs look to continue tradition

By TIM McDONOUGH

mcdonough@crescent-news.com

It's been 26 years since the Defiance High School baseball program has had a losing season and it's been 15 years since the Bulldogs finished lower than second in the Western Buckeye League standings.

In fact, Defiance's 812 wins all-time rank sixth in Ohio high school history behind Cincinnati Elder, Steubenville, Oregon Clay, Coldwater and Miamisburg. It's no secret that Defiance takes baseball seriously and that expectations are always high where the Bulldogs are concerned.

In 2007, that's not about to change.

"Here at Defiance the baseball program has had a winning season for the past 26 years so of course there's always going to be expectations," commented Defiance mentor Tom Held. "This year is no different than any of the rest. On paper this year, we're ahead of where we were last season at this time because we have a lot of veterans and a good senior class with smart baseball players. The bottom line is we've got to get better each day if we expect to reach our goals."

It was one year ago that some questioned whether or not Defiance would win 20 games. All the Bulldogs did was finish 27-4 (7-2 in the WBL) and make another run to the Division II regional tournament before bowing out to eventual state champion Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 2-0 in the regional semifinals.

Defiance followed up its spring season with a summer to remember by capturing the ACME state championship, finishing with a mark of 38-4. After losing just four seniors from a year ago, Held and his Bulldogs once again have their sights set on recapturing the WBL crown and making another long tournament run.

But Held knows it won't be easy.

"What this team needs to learn is that they can't be complacent and think it's going to be easy because it never is," said Held. "Our job as coaches is to make sure that it doesn't happen. But when you have a lot of people back you have to guard against complacency, and you hope your guys stay healthy and out of trouble. Plus we know the league is going to be tough as well as the tournament. With guys out there like Kolbrin Vitek (of Bryan) and Brooks Mohr (of Elida), it's going to be difficult."

What will help is the return of nine lettermen featuring a pitching staff that returns all 27 wins from a year ago. That list of returning lettermen include seniors Tyler Burgoon (P/C), Cameron Stykemain (P/OF/IF), Michael Swary (P/IF/OF), Josh Bussing (P/DH/1B) and Mark Elliott (OF). Also returning are juniors Adam Wagner (P/OF), Bryn Lehman (SS), Justin Riley (3B) and Steve Riedel (1B/OF).

While there are 10 lettermen returning, Defiance will be without the services of four players who have moved on due to graduation. Gone is first baseman Corey Lamb (.386, 34 runs, 31 RBI, 5 HR), second baseman/shortstop Nate Ripke (.309, 24 runs, 20 RBI) and outfielders Kane Wagner (.299, 26 runs, 26 RBI) and Andrew Sanchez (.258, 19 runs, 21 RBI).

"When you think of the adversity we went through a year ago, those four seniors will always have a special place in my heart for the way they handled everything," said Held. "Corey, Nate, Andrew and Kane were unbelievable and when you think back about what kind of leaders they were, it speaks volumes about them."

Pitching-wise, the 1-2-3 combination of Burgoon, Wagner and Stykemain accounted for 26 of Defiance's 27 wins in 2006. Burgoon, a University of Michigan baseball signee, finished the year 10-3 overall with a 2.10 ERA. In 73 1/3 innings, Burgoon allowed 36 runs, 22 earned, while striking out 115 and walking 32.

Wagner was equally impressive finishing 10-1 overall with 1.42 ERA. In 65 1/3 innings Wagner allowed 21 runs, 14 earned, while striking out 47 and walking 20. Not to be outdone Stykemain finished 2006 6-0 with an ERA of 1.96. In 35 2/3 innings Stykemain allowed 16 runs, 10 earned, while striking out 32 and walking 18.

"There's probably not many teams in the state that have all 27 of their wins back on the pitching staff, so obviously pitching should be a strength for us," said Held. "Tyler and Adam had great seasons a year ago and we're expecting big things from them again. And I don't think many people realize that Cameron won six games a year ago and he was a big part of our success."

Held is also optimistic about other players such as Michael Swary and Josh Bussing getting time on the hill. Swary was one of Defiance's top pitchers two summers ago before a back injury cost him most of his junior season, while Bussing was relegated to just hitting last spring due to an arm injury.

Justin Riley (1-0, 1.14 ERA, 24 2/3 innings, 26 strikeouts, 6 walks) also saw plenty of time in a relief role last season for Defiance and should do so again in 2007.

"When you add in a guy like Michael Swary, who was throwing the ball as well as anyone we had two summers ago, and a guy like Josh Bussing, and pitching depth should be a strength," said Held. "Plus we've got a guy like Justin Riley who can get big outs for us. The biggest problem we may have is getting enough innings for guys."

In 1984 the Chicago Cubs had center fielder Bob Dernier and second baseman Ryne Sandberg at the top of their lineup and the two were affectionately known as "The Daily Double," because of how often they reached base in the same game. Defiance has its own version of "The Daily Double" in Burgoon and Stykemain.

A year ago the two DHS standouts wreaked havoc on opponents by combining to score 75 runs and steal 47 bases. Burgoon batted .380 with 40 runs, 20 RBI and 19 stolen bases, while Stykemain batted .376 with 35 runs, 22 RBI with a single-season school record 28 stolen bases.

"With Tyler and Cam at the top of the lineup, we have two great table-setters for this ballclub," said Held. "Their numbers last year speak for themselves. But we feel like we have good speed throughout the lineup and we feel our style of play will put a lot of pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses."

Also back to do damage to opposing pitching will be Wagner who batted .326 with 28 runs, 16 RBI and 12 stolen bases, Lehman who hit .326, Swary, who hit .380 in limited action, Riley (.350), Bussing (.250), Elliott (.250) and Riedel (.235).

Held will also look to varsity newcomers Craig Gutman (soph.), Eric Rubio (junior), James Frey (junior), Richie Killion (junior), Brad Fiske (junior), Mark Sebring (soph.) and Ethan Rohlf (soph.) to step up and fill their roles.

One role that is certainly up for grabs will be backup catcher. When Burgoon isn't pitching he'll be behind the plate, but when he is pitching Held will look to either Frey or Sebring to catch for Defiance.

Said Held: "A big question mark is who will catch when Tyler is pitching. Jimmy Frey and Mark Sebring are very capable, but they haven't proven themselves yet in varsity baseball so that's why it's a question mark. "

A probable starting lineup for Defiance would have Burgoon leading off and pitching, Stykemain batting second and playing right field, Wagner hitting third and playing center with Swary or Gutman batting fourth and playing second base.

Batting fifth would be Swary or Riley at third, Bussing batting sixth and playing first with Riedel nursing an injury to start the season, and Elliott batting seventh and playing left field. Frey or Sebring would bat eighth and catch, while Lehman would bat ninth and start at shortstop.

"We've got guys who can swing the bat, that was proven last year and this summer," said Held. "We feel very good about a lot of things as long as we keep moving forward every day. If that happens, the only thing that can screw this team up besides injuries are the coaches.

"Defensively we feel very good," continued Held. "We've got key guys back on the infield in Bryn and Justin, and with Michael back from injury, he's as good as any infielder we've got. Throw in a Craig Gutman who had a great summer and Tyler behind the plate and we're very solid on the infield. With Adam and Cameron anchoring the outfield and we feel we're solid all over."

In the race for the WBL championship, Held expects his Bulldogs to fight for the title in 2007, but teams like Elida, Lima Shawnee and others will be lurking.

Held, 400-113 (.780) as a varsity baseball coach at Elmwood, Bryan and Defiance combined, enters his ninth season at Defiance with a mark of 197-40 (.831), just three wins shy of 200 for the Blue and White. In his eight seasons, Held has led Defiance to five WBL crowns, eight sectional titles, six districts titles and one regional championship.

Held credits the Defiance baseball program, the players and his assistant coaches for the record he's achieved at DHS.

"When you look at those numbers it means three things, you've coached a lot of games, you've coached good players and you've worked with great coaches. I know that's what people always say but it's true," said Held. "We tell our kids that this program is bigger than any one of us and I think we all know it's a privilege to put on this uniform.

"Here's what coaching is, when you're young it's all about you because you're trying to prove yourself," concluded Held. "As you get older ... I enjoy coaching so much more now than I did in my early years, because it's about enjoying the game and teaching the kids. If you coach long enough you don't have to prove yourself and it becomes much more fun. I still love it."