May 24, 2021
What’s goin’ on?
We’ve concluded one of the best seasons that Cedarville Baseball has seen in recent years.
While the ultimate result of winning a championship was not reached, we were able to take pride in the work we did before and during this season to get us to the G-MAC Tournament. In a shortened season, this year’s win total was the most since 2017, while the conference win total was the most since the program joined Division II. It was also the first appearance in the conference tournament since 2017.
Reflecting on the past three years, I am extremely grateful to all involved with the program for the way they’ve sacrificed their time, energy, and effort. It takes a lot of resilience to keep pushing even when the results aren’t always there, and everyone involved the last few years has done just that. To see that work come to fruition, even in a limited way, is satisfying and a testament to the hard work of everyone involved.
To the coaching staff:
Thanks for taking a chance on me, even though I may not have even deserved it. You’ve changed my life and my family’s for the better.
To everyone I played with:
Love you all. Thanks for the countless memories, the bus rides, locker room antics, and lifelong friendships.
To those of you still playing:
Keep paving the way for those that come after you. Your legacy will last far beyond what you could possibly know. Strive for more every day and keep chasing that championship.
It has been an honor to represent the team these last few years, and I hope I’ve been able to communicate in a way that makes you feel like you know us in some way. Thanks to anyone who has ever supported me or the team, and I hope you will continue to support the Jackets. I know I will.
#GoJackets Forever
- Trace
April 29, 2021
What’s goin’ on?
This week in sports…the Cedarville Yellow Jackets are looking to make some noise in the G-MAC.
After a two-game split with the conference’s top team in Kentucky Wesleyan, we are looking at a four-game stand at Hillsdale. It’s a big one, so do us all a favor and tune in when you can.
We are spending a lot of time on the glorious Cedarville athletic department bus. The wheels on these puppies are susceptible to any bumps in the road, so pardon me if my spelling goes awry at any point. Or, excuse me if my computer dies due to the high-functioning outlets going out unpredictably. I think Riley Landrum is about sick and tired of having Payton Eeles on his lap in order to charge his phone, but what do I know.
Rather than doing a freshman highlight this week, I want to take a moment to honor our graduating seniors.
Drew Minnich: To the man of many wise words and the most meme-able face known to mankind - congratulations. We wish you well in your endeavors as Mr. Minnich. Those kids are in for a treat listening to your famous stories. All aboard the Minnich Express.
Noah Schleinitz: To the guy who I can always count on for a joke that is somewhat toeing the line - congratulations. Your competitive (and sometimes psycho) energy will truly be missed.
Brendan Toungate: To the guy with my favorite moustache and the best wardrobe on the team - congratulations. We have missed your presence this year, and I know you will bring that same goofy energy to the workforce.
Andrew Dunbar: To the guy with the most well-timed sarcasm I’ve ever come across - congratulations. Thanks for being the team mechanic and for your daily yoga classes in the stretching circle.
Bryce Hughes: To the guy with the biggest personality in the room - congratulations. Cedarville hasn’t seen the last of you, but surgery rehab has. Best wishes in recovery my friend.
Thanks for reading, and as always #GoJackets.
April 23, 2021
What’s goin’ on?
We’ve officially surpassed the halfway point of conference play this year. We sit at 10-10 currently, and we are in a spot to control our seeding for the G-MAC Tournament. The past few weeks have been eventful and full of bumps on many highways that the bus has absorbed quite well.
When we departed to Tiffin a few weekends back, we did not expect the wild ride ahead of us. We were able to play one full game Friday before the second game was called for lack of sunlight. This meant we would have to finish that game before a doubleheader. Due to weather, we had to wait until Monday to play those games. Unfortunately, Monday had a bit of rain as well and so our start was delayed by about an hour and a half. After finishing the end of Game 2, we completed Game 3 and moved on to Game 4. This game was supposed to be 9 innings, but was called after 6 due to lack of sunlight. This time, the game was officially over and we had secured the win.
This past weekend, we welcomed Findlay and dropped Game 1 by a wide margin. We knew our backs were up against the wall, as Findlay was in a dead heat with us in the standings. The response was good: we went ahead and won Game 2 and carried that momentum into Game 3. That game took some guts - and let me just point out that there was a MONSTROUS home run hit by Brandon Doehne in the bottom of the 7th inning to send it to extras. That one just made my jaw drop and ask…is it real? Lucas Rotello came through in the 8th with the walk-off hit. Game 4 was a special one for me personally. I was able to get the win on the mound, but the cooler part was that I got to watch my brother get the save in the 9th. It was a special memory for us and for the family we had in attendance.
This was our second series win of the year, and it put us ahead of Findlay in the conference standings.
Time to meet the aforementioned freshman of the week:
Brandon Doehne
Hometown: Avon, OH
Position: 1B/DH/P/Who Knows
Major: Engineering
Brandon is one of the more reserved freshmen, and I’ve even heard him referenced as the “dad” of the group. His favorite hobbies include hitting bombs, shadow reps, and freakish long toss.
We are currently en route to Kentucky Wesleyan to face the top team in the conference. Big series for the Jackets coming down the home stretch.
Thanks for reading, and as always #GoJackets.
March 25, 2021
What’s goin’ on?
It’s been a hot second since you heard from the Jackets. I don’t really have a good excuse as to why, but I can tell you I’ve been enjoying the time on the field the last few weeks so much that blogging has been one of the last things on my mind. Anyhow, I do like to keep any fans, family, and alumni involved with team happenings, so I apologize for the slight hiatus.
Upon our return from North Carolina, we opened up conference play with Walsh. We struggled a bit to start the series, but took the last game and rode that momentum going into the following weekend.
We took four-of-four games from Lake Erie in electric fashion. For the first time since 2016, the Jackets swept a G-MAC opponent, and we did it in style.
We were able to win Game 1 handily, but Game 2 required some theatrics. Down to our last strike with two outs in the last inning, Payton Eeles kept us alive with a base hit. A few more guys reached base, and Bryce Hughes delivered the game-tying double. We were able to win it with a walk-off walk from Micah Stewart in extras.
Game 3 was the Noah Cline show, as he carried a perfect game into the sixth inning and carried us to a win. Pitchin’, catchin’, divin’…makin’ all the all-star plays! Game 4 also required some theatrics, as we went down 7-0 and mounted a late-game comeback. Daniel Sewak was able to walk it off with a big knock and a big one launched into orbit.
One might say the Jackets are on a five-game win streak. One might also say the Jackets are smokin’ hot. The two statements can coexist. We will look to ride that momentum this weekend with some non-conference opponents at home on Friday and Saturday.
This week’s freshman of the week:
Nicholas Carr
Hometown: Maineville, OH
Position: Catcher
Major: Biology
Fun fact about Nick: he has never been to a Chipotle. Nick strikes me as a guy who likes to eat chicken fingers a lot, much like myself. He is also working on a smile that Coach Manes is teaching him. You just got Nick Carr’d.
As always, thanks for reading and #GoJackets.
-Trace
March 4, 2021
What’s goin’ on?
Your beloved Yellow Jackets are heading down to the great state of North Carolina for a four-game schedule. While it doesn’t quite measure up to the Sunshine State, we will take whatever we can get this time of year.
This past weekend was a success, as we took both games from Ohio Christian. The bats were working in Game 1, and the pitching staff brought the thunder in Game 2. Some notable accolades:
1) Freshman Nick Carr revved up an RBI single for his first career hit as a Yellow Jacket.
2) Brendan Toungate hit one of his patented bombs.
3) Austin Brown has the hot hand with the bat, and even caused another player to dent the wall with his home run (he was ok).
4) Reid Hale struck one batter out three times in the same at bat.
Thankfully the weather held up all weekend, and we are hoping the same stays true in North Carolina.
Tune in next week for updates on our karaoke night and other shenanigans that a baseball team locked in a hotel may perform. We are unlikely to see as much electricity as Blais Hale brought us last year, but we will try nonetheless.
This week’s Freshman Highlight:
Alex Sparks
Hometown: Xenia, OH
Position: RHP
Major: Biblical Studies
Alex is a man that has a story for every situation. He has a “buddy” who has done anything you can think of. He is a jack of all trades, which is put on full display by his luscious mullet. Anyone with that kind of hair must know a thing or two about manual labor.
February 25, 2021
What’s goin’ on?
It is hard to believe we are approaching a year from the time that the pandemic began to creep into our world and create chaos. It’s been a really long year for most people, and understandably so. Everyone is longing to return to normalcy, and many athletes are fortunately being given that opportunity.
When we last spoke, it was the most solemn and serious I had ever been about baseball, my teammates, and the Cedarville program in general. There was much to be said and only so much room to say it. I appreciate everyone who supported us through the challenging times then and has continued to do so now.
For me personally, the opportunity to return to Cedarville and get that year back was a no brainer. I, along with my fellow graduate
Riley Landrum, am extremely thankful that this decision allowed athletes another opportunity to chase after what they’ve worked towards for years.
That’s enough of the serious talk for me…let’s talk about the cast of characters making up this Jackets team. Smell that green grass, sweet crack of the bat, man it’s good to be back!
Similar to last year, we have a number of guys who were married/engaged since we last spoke. Both
Noah Schleinitz and
Noah Cline are engaged men, while our sturdy freight train
Drew Minnich is now a married man! I had the honor of standing beside Drew on his wedding day along with
Noah Schleinitz,
Bryce Hughes, and
Brendan Toungate.
Jake Clements and
Lucas Rotello visited every west coast state this summer, not to be outdone by
Andrew Dunbar, who covered every square mile of the United States this past year in his car. He and
Micah Stewart were still homeschooled if you forgot.
We were able to smuggle our big donkey,
Kevin Zhang, back across the Canadian border. I would have been sick if he couldn’t come back.
We found out that next year Cedarville will be adding a third
Hale brother to the baseball team. That might be some kind of record.
Our SAAC guy
Jadon Ambrose has been making lots of baked goods this year, inspired by
Chef Bobby Flay,
Monty, and
Reverend Chase Springmeyer to pursue his calling.
Middle infielders
Alan Perry and
Payton Eeles are still calling each other Peter and driving pitchers insane with their commentary.
Engineers
Austin Brown,
Westin Blattner, and
Ethan Milburn look like AT&T bars standing next to one another.
Kale Ebling still thinks the Yankees are good and still looks like he could play the Joker. We love him anyway.
Last but not least,
Josh Lewis is back haunting people with his kindness and unending positivity. I left Josh for last because I want to introduce the only man on campus that can rival his morale boosting energy:
Our first Freshman Spotlight is on
Joseph “Kobe Bean” Melchior
Hometown: Collegeville, PA
Position: Outfield
From the moment I met Joe, I knew he was nice…almost too nice. I tried to figure out what the catch was. Is he a former criminal rehabbed into an average civilian? An FBI plant? I quickly discovered there was no catch. Joe is gonna be Joe. When Joe and Josh Lewis had a conversation before practice, I felt the scales of good and evil dramatically tipping towards good. His contagious mamba mentality is inspiring for all of us, especially because he puts the barrel of the bat on the ball whenever he swings.
The Jackets roll into action this weekend against Ohio Christian on Friday and Saturday at Athletes in Action. We look forward to competing again and shocking some people while we’re at it.
As always, thanks for reading and #GoJackets.
- Trace
Trace Gillis is a senior pitcher from Buffalo, N.Y. and is in his third season with the Yellow Jackets. He transferred to Cedarville from Niagara Community College and is a graduate student working on his MBA.
