JR IF Chris Donese - The Beach League: Sting Rays
In 148 at-bats, Donese hit .297 in 2013 and led the Jackets in hits (44) as well as not missing a single game as the team's starting shortstop - bringing Chris' games played to a total of seventy-two (72) in his first two seasons with the program. Donese was also named All-HCAC Honorable Mention this past spring.
SO C Gary Levengood - The Beach League: Sting Rays
In his freshman campaign, Levengood played in thirty games while starting twenty-eight contests behind the plate and hitting .283 in 99 at-bats. Gary worked with a predominantly senior laden pitching staff in his first year, and will look to take over the reigns and guide a younger 2014 staff back to the conference tournament next season.
JR IF/OF Joel Musser - The Beach League: Sting Rays
Musser was asked to play quite a few different positions throughout the 2013 season; the utility man saw time at second base, third base, right field and even some time on the mound. Although he hit only .220, Joel started all thirty-six games the Jackets played this year and was tied for second in the team in stolen bases with fellow Sting Ray teammate, Donese. Rock was also fourth on the DC team in runs scored.
JR LHP Matt Goodpaster - The Beach League: Sting Rays
The southpaw saw limited work for the Jackets this past year out of the bullpen, Matt will look to play a more prominent role on the 2014 staff as DC needs to replace nearly seventy-six (76%) percent of its innings pitched from the 2013 season.
SR RHP/1B Darin Waterman - Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League
An All-HCAC 2nd Team selection for the 2013 season, Waterman hit .309 in 161 total trips to the plate. The two-way specialist racked up thirteen (13) doubles to go along with three (3) homeruns and thirty-three (33) RBI - all of which were team highs. Darin also record 61.2 innings pitched for the Yellow Jackets, starting eleven (11) games and posting a 4-3 (W-L) record with a 4.09 ERA - he did all this while striking out 64 batters in his 61.2 innings of work. Darin will play for the Grand Lake Mariners this summer of the Great Lakes League, thought to be one of the top collegiate leagues in country.
SO OF Ben Weber - Mountain Collegiate Baseball League: Cheyenne Grizzlies
Freshman outfielder Ben Weber, played in twenty-three games while starting thirteen (13) games throughout the year. Weber hit a team high .341 in those 23 games, and delivered more than a few clutch at-bats down the stretch - to help Defiance qualify for its first conference tournament in nine (9) years.
SO RHP Chris Douglas - Lake Michigan Baseball League: Chillers
Douglas recorded only three appearances throughout the course of the 2013 season, including a scoreless two inning performance against Anderson University in his first collegiate outing. Same as Goodpaster, Chris will look to improve on his game and fill a greater role on the 2014 Yellow jacket staff.
JR 1B Steve Yant - Lake Michigan Baseball League: Chillers
The big first baseman only saw time in five contests for the Jackets this past season, largely in various pinch hit situations - Yant will join Douglas in the newly formed Lake Michigan League outside of Chicago, IL this summer and will play under the tutelage of Chillers' assistant coach and recent Defiance Baseball alum, Andy Habecker.
Stay tuned for further summer ball related posts as the Diamond will also periodically highlight the aforementioned Jackets and their progress/stats throughout the course summer season.
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