Oilers Eager To Compete In 2012
The University of Findlay Oilers are coming off a season in which they finished 15-31-1 overall with a 12-23 mark in GLIAC play. Despite their .483 winning percentage, the Oilers showed a competitive spirit, losing 13 games by one run and 15 by two runs or less.
This season, the young squad comes in ranked 10th in the GLIAC, but looks to compete with the top ranked teams under the direction of Troy Berry, who is entering his ninth season as the Oilers head coach.
Findlay will return the heart of their lineup including junior infielder Tommy Roush, sophomore infielder Reid Rothenbuhler and senior outfielder Dustin Zielaskiewicz, who looks to return to his 2010 form when he earned GLIAC honorable mention honors.
Roush earned GLIAC honorable mention honors last season with a team-leading .354 batting average with 24 runs scored, 20 RBI's and three home runs, while Rothenbuhler had a phenomenal freshman year batting .329 with eight doubles and a team leading 25 RBI's while scoring 22 runs.
Splitting time behind the plate will be seniors Nathaniel Fitch, who hit .276 last year in 27 starts, and David Cort who brings solid defensive leadership to a talented pitching staff.
Junior Preston Zachrich will lead the charge for the Oilers on the mound after making five starts last season coming off an elbow injury in 2010. Senior Aaron Geis, junior Darrell Thobe and sophomore Drew Hargrove will join Zachrich in the rotation this season. Geis brings his knowledge to the table as he enters his fourth season pitching against GLIAC foes, while Hargrove comes in after posting a 3.18 ERA last season, with four complete games and 32 strikeouts in 44 innings of work.
Sophomore Derek Draper also returns after a stellar freshman season where he appeared in 13 games out of the bullpen, posting an ERA of 1.24 and 21 strikeouts in 17 innings of work. Joining him in the bullpen will be freshman closer Alex Williams.
The Oilers will begin their season in Winter Haven, Fla. From March 4th-9th before returning home for their home-opener on March 17th against Walsh University.