WICHITA, Kan. – The Newman baseball team hopes to build off last year's team's success heading into the 2017 campaign, with key returners and a fresh batch of newcomers to pave the way.
 
The Jets last season tied their Division II-era record for most wins in a season with a 28-20 record. Newman also finished with a 14-13 Heartland Conference record, narrowly missing the conference tournament by two games with it coming down to the final series of the regular season to decide who went on.
 
Two position players are back after starting all 48 games last season, with two more starting at least 40 games. Senior shortstop Nick Griffin and senior second baseman Jacob Hamerle were named to the 2016 all-defense team. Two pitchers are back with at least 10 appearances.
 
"If we can pitch well, which we have the capability of doing, it definitely seems like our defense will be outstanding," coach Zane Ehling said. "Looking at it right now, we're athletic all over the field and rangy all over with good setup behind the plate. That gives us the chance to start every game thinking we have a good chance."
 
Losing All-American outfielder Tyler Bugner to the pro ranks will be hard to replace but Ehling thinks others will step up to fill those shoes offensively.
 
"Our on-base percentage as a team should hopefully stay the same and balance throughout our lineup. We have a lot of hitters who are experienced and mature, so that will help in having good at-bats."
 
The Jets open their season this weekend at the Air Hogs DII Classic in Grand Prairie, Texas, taking on Washburn Thursday, East Central Friday and two games on Saturday against Missouri Western and Lubbock Christian.
 
Season Breakdown (2016 Statistics in Parentheses)
 
Pitchers:
 
Returners: Kane McCarthy, Jr. (4-5, 11 GS, 4.52 ERA, 69 2/3 inn., 2 CG, 1 shutout, 49 SO, 17 BB); Joe Cannady, Sr. (3-2, 14 app., 4.50 ERA, 22 inn., 1 save, 19 SO, 3 BB); Chris Luschen, So.; Justen Heuermann, Sr. (0-1, 5 app., 18 ERA, 6 inn., 4 SO, 7 BB); Trey Tucker, So. (1-0, 8 app., 7.50 ERA, 12 inn., 12 SO, 5 BB); Jacob Gibbs, Jr.; Wade Winter, So.; Bradley Altdoerffer, Sr. (3 app., 9 ERA, 3 inn., 2 SO, 1 BB)
 
Newcomers: Myron Johnson, Fr. (Life Prep Academy); Garrett Hammond, Jr. (At Dodge City CC: 2-0, 7 app., 2 GS, 3.75 ERA, 12 inn., 17 SO, 4 BB); Collin Loutensock, Jr. (At Hesston CC: 5-8, 14 app., 9 GS, 7.39 ERA, 4 CG, 48 SO, 42 BB); Samuel Hersh, So. (Cowley County CC); Avery Riedmiller, So. (At Barton County CC: 1-1, 13 app., 4 GS, 6.48 ERA, 21 SO, 11 BB); Matt Riney, Jr. (Texas Tech); Dalson Hamlin, Fr. (Independence HS); Alex Hoelscher; Jr. (Lake Land CC); Avery Chenier, Fr. (Christ the King HS)
 
Coach Speak: "Obviously, Kane coming back, he'll start. Right now it looks like Loutensock and Hersh are going to start, and Winter and Hammond will get some opportunities to start. Those are the guys right now that are in that position to get the looks over the first few weeks. It just really needs to work itself out. We still need to see some guys against other competition to see what works best in a normal weekend. Riney and Riedmiller are definitely going to pitch out of the pen. If Hammond doesn't start he's going to throw out of the pen, along with Cannady. I'd say everything is kind of open right now, we only have a couple of guys that really threw last year who are back. It will probably take some time to figure out all the roles for our team, whether that's starting, relieving, or when and where they'll come out of the pen."
 
Catchers:
 
Returners: Nick Mitchell, Sr. (1 GP, 1 AB)
 
Newcomers: Easton Herring, Jr. (At Seward County CC: 32 GP, .328 avg., 10 RBI, 4 2B, 1 3B, 20 runs, .461 OBP); Koby Nguyen, Fr. (Kapaun Mt. Carmel HS)
 
Coach Speak: "Herring and Nguyen will split time to begin the season. They both are good behind the plate. Easton may have a little leg up hitting-wise because he's older but Koby has some pop and he's learning how to hit. Both are going to play for us."
 
Infielders:
 
Returners: Brian Canfield, Jr. (.314 avg., 28 RBI, 11 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 33 runs, .422 OBP); Rene Rivera, Jr.; BJ Tieben, Sr. (1 GP, 1 AB); Jacob Hamerle, Sr. (.271 avg., 27 RBI, 4 2B, 1 3B, 33 runs, 4 SB); Nick Griffin, Sr. (.314 avg., 32 RBI, 9 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 32 runs, .436 SLG); Daniel Jahnke, Jr. (16 GP, .241 avg., 6 RBI, 6 runs, .410 OBP)
 
Newcomers: Channing Williams, Jr. (At Butler County CC: 48 GP, .286 avg., 19 RBI, 5 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 36 runs, 17 SB); Blake Duerksen, Fr. (Heights HS)
 
Coach Speak: "First we're going to play Canfield, and Jahnke may get some time there. Second base is going to be Hamerle, shortstop Griffin, and more than likely Williams at third along with Jahnke. Channing can play some outfield too and Jahnke will DH too. Rivera could play third or second as well."
 
Outfielders:
 
Returners: C.J. Campbell, So. (1 GP, 1 run); Aaron Mack, Jr. (.292 avg., 35 RBI, 20 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 37 runs, .476 SLG); Paul Rupnik, So. (19 GP, .178 avg., 5 RBI, 3 2B, 6 runs, 2 SB); Jordan Doan, Sr. (.180 avg., 10 RBI, 4 2B, 1 HR, 16 runs, 2 SB)
 
Newcomers: Ked Bailey, Jr. (At Arkansas Baptist: 49 GP, .270 avg., 16 RBI, 4 2B, 1 HR, 30 runs, .404 OBP)
 
Coach Speak: "Mack is in left and he'll hit in the middle of the order. Bailey and Doan in center and Rupnik and Doan in right is the way it's shaking out to be right now. Those four are pretty solid in getting time and whoever the fourth guy out in any given game will possibly DH for us."