Anderson U.’s Reed just keeps piling up hits

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Justin Reed has piled up plenty of hits in his time with the Anderson (Ind.) University baseball team.

On Monday, April 15 in an 11-1 win against Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opponent Defiance at Don Brandon Field, Reed went 3-of-5 with three runs batted in.

“I just go up there and try to see strikes,” says Reed of his batting approach. “When I see a strike that I can do damage with, I try to hit it as hard as I can.”

So far in 2024, the righty-swinging shortstop and graduate student sports an average of .368 (43-of-117) with no home runs, one triple, eight doubles, 23 RBIs, 28 runs scored and five stolen bases over 29 games (all starts). He bats No. 3 or No. 4 in the order depending on where head coach Matt Bair decides to use the 5-foot-10, 195-pounder.

“He’s a competitor,” says Reed of Bair. “He’ll do whatever it takes to put the best nine guys and pitching rotation on the field to win a game.”

While collecting 11 multi-hit games, Reed has helped NCAA Division III Anderson post an 18-11 overall record and 8-4 in HCAC contests. He produced four hits April 6 in the first game of a doubleheader against Transylvania.

Reed, 23, is in his fifth season with the Ravens. For his career-to-date he is hitting .358 (246-of-688) with 17 homers, nine triples, 66 doubles, 162 RBIs, 165 runs and 52 stolen bases in 166 games.

“I have the green light,” says Reed of his chances of swiping a bag. “It all depends on who is batting behind me.

“We’ve had a pretty good lineup the last two years. There’s no point in me trying to get the extra base when I have guys behind me that’s going to get me there anyways.”

As long as Reed has been around, he has spent quite a bit of time with some of his teammates. Tyler Smitherman (Westfield High School Class of 2019) and Walker Stull (Pendleton Heights Class of 2019) are also fifth-year AU players.

His career hit total has him ranked third all-time behind the 264 of Andrew MacLachlan (1985-88) and 249 by Brian Heigle (1987-90).

“I’m trying to chase that,” says Reed of the mark in the school record book.

In 2023, Reed was named first-team all-conference as well as first-team all-region and fourth-team All-American as selected by the American Baseball Coaches Association.

Reed was second-team all-HCAC and third-team all-region in 2022.

In 2021, he earned all-conference first team and second-team all-region.

In the field, Reed values anticipation and proper technique. 

“I’m always thinking of where the ball should go before it’s put in-play. I’m always trying to use my footwork to make plays on defense.  If you don’t have the right footwork, you’re not going to be accurate and make the routine plays that you should make.”

It’s helpful that the Don Brandon Field infield is turf.

“It makes a big difference,” says Reed. “When you’re fielding the ball deep in the gap you don’t have to have to throw it all the way to (the first baseman), you can one- or two-hop it and get it there just as fast as a hard throw.”

Reed has already earned a Mechanical Engineering degree at AU and is working toward a Master of Business Administration. He needs to take a summer online class to finish it.

He technically has another year of eligibility past this spring, but does not intend to use it. Reed says is going to try to get a job in the Indianapolis area, most likely in the engineering field.

Why did reed choose Anderson?

“When I got on campus I realized there was a culture here I really liked,” says Reed. “Everyone was here for each other and not just for themselves.”

Once AU’s engineering program became accredited he knew it was the right place for him.

As an NCAA D-III school, the Ravens practice as a team for a month in the fall then have two months to do individual work and strength training on their own before coming back together in January.

Anderson plays most of its games on Saturdays and Sundays.

“We rarely miss class,” says Reed. Next up are two games Saturday, April 20 and one Sunday, April 21 at HCAC foe Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute.

The son of Tom and Kelly Reed and older brother of Kevin Reed (Martinsville Class of 2023 and a freshman left-handed pitcher at the University of Evansville), Justin was born and raised in Martinsville, Ind.

He played travel ball for the Indiana Bulls from 10U to 13U, the Midwest Astros 14U to 16U and the Tyler Ison-coached Indiana Astros in his 17U and 18U summers.

Growing up, Reed’s favorite player was Albert Pujols and he is still a fan of the Los Angeles Angels, a team he adopted when “The Machine” was traded there from St. Louis. 

Reed follows a lot of shortstops, but his all-time favorite player is Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.

A four-year varsity player at Martinsville High School, where he graduated in 2019, Reed played three years for Jeff Scott and one for Jeremy Honaker.

“Coach Scott was hard-nosed and would get in your face,” says Reed. “He’d always put the best nine guys on the field.

“Coach Honaker was more of a laid-back coach. I like both coaching styles. Both transformed me into the player I am today.”

Justin Reed. (Anderson University Photo)

Justin Reed. (Anderson University Photo)

Justin Reed. (Anderson University Photo)

Justin Reed. (Anderson University Photo)

Justin Reed. (Anderson University Photo)

Macdonald looks to keep ball rolling for Indiana Wesleyan U.

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Using terms like momentum, retention, sustainability and development, Ian Macdonald is making the transition to head baseball coach at Indiana Wesleyan University.

“We had a lot of momentum coming off the year that we did,” says Macdonald, who played a part in the Marion, Ind.-based Wildcats going 41-20-1 overall and 26-10 in the Crossroads League while winning a conference tournament title and the NAIA Opening Round crown in Kingsport, Tenn., while earning the program’s first NAIA World Series appearance in 2023 with Rich Benjamin in charge. 

After the season, Benjamin left IWU to become athletic director at Mississinewa High School in Gas City, Ind., and Macdonald was promoted from associate head coach.

Once the Wildcats got back from Lewiston, Idaho — site of the World Series — the hiring process went forward for IWU athletic director Deane Webb.

“I’m thankful we were able to move quick enough so the kids had clarity and the coaches had clarity,” says Macdonald.

Once that happened, the first order of business for Macdonald was retaining the 2022-23 roster and holding on to newcomers for 2023-24.

Mission accomplished.

On a 40-man roster, IWU brings back 30 plus nine freshman and graduate transfer Jeff Pawlik (who comes from Grace College).

“It’s a credit to Rich,” says Macdonald. “In the last four years we’ve had almost 100 percent retention which is pretty crazy in this day and age with the (Transfer) Portal and everything going on.

According to the new field boss, players choose IWU not only for athletics but there is the academic, social and faith components.

“It’s a credit to the experience the kids have here. We attract really impressive kids that are making decisions for more than just baseball when they come here,” says Macdonald. “They’re making well-rounded decisions when they come here. We’re providing the experience we communicate throughout the recruiting process.

“We feel good about our ability to retain the kids.”

Led by 2023 ace Drue Young, Macdonald returns more than 85 percent of pitching innings. 

Graduation took away many hitters, including NAIA All-America and Crossroads League Player of the Year Lucas Goodin. His name is all over the IWU record books.

“We’ll see if our offensive guys can grow and emerge into some pretty big opportunities,” says Macdonald.

The staff of assistants and support staff is being assembled. Returnees include Eric George and Steve Friend.

Macdonald came to Indiana Wesleyan as recruiting director and pitching coach in June 2021. He was elevated to associate head coach in August 2022 after the Wildcats went 31-23 and 23-13 in the spring.

Prior to IWU, Macdonald served as recruiting coordinator and assistant pitching coach at NCAA Division II University of Charleston (W.Va) from July 2019 to July 2021.

He was pitching coach at NCAA D-III Grove City (Pa.) College June 2018 to January 2019 and also worked at various baseball facilities around Pennsylvania.

Macdonald hails from Grantham, Pa., and is a 2012 graduate of West Shore Christian Academy (Shiremanstown, Pa.). He was pitcher at NCAA D-III Geneva College (Beaver Falls, Pa.), where he graduated in 2016 with a Business Administration/Marketing degree. 

He earned a certificate in Leadership Studies from Trinity School of Ministry in 2017 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Charleston in 2020.

Macdonald holds certifications from Titleist Performance Institute (Level 1), OnBaseU (pitching), Program 15 Scout School (Foundations of Scouting), USA Baseball (Levels A, B and C) and has attended American Baseball Coaches Association and other conventions.

His initial season at Charleston, the Golden Eagles went to the program’s first D-II Super Regional.

“We got the furthest we’ve ever been now how do we build sustainability?,” says Macdonald, an approach he brought with him to IWU.

It begins with recruiting and development. The majority of the roster are players who came to IWU directly from high school.

“We’ve got to be able to recruit a really high-caliber player and we have to develop them while they’re here,” says Macdonald. “We want to continue to improve the product we put on the field — the position players and our pitching staff. Our best last year was able to get us to Lewiston. Obviously, it was a really special run. I don’t think you can bank on or guarantee anybody going on a World Series run.

“But if we continue to work to improve our best and get in a position where we’re competing for conference championships we have a chance to make it to the Opening Round and once you get into the Opening Round, anything can happen.”

The bottom line: The Wildcats are looking for sustained excellence.

“Can we build sustainability where we’re getting to postseasons every year?,” says Macdonald.

The goal is to put together a team each year that is capable of winning the Crossroads League regular-season championship which carries an automatic NAIA Opening Round bid.

The winner of the conference tournament also receives an Opening Round berth.

As a minimum two-bid conference, an at-large team from the Crossroads League can also be chosen for the Opening Round. 

Taylor won the Upland Opening Round in 2023 and made the NAIA World Series for the first time since 1969.

Ian Madonald. (Indiana Wesleyan University Image).

Two-way player Loden making way back after Tommy John surgery

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Doug Loden was on his way from junior college to NCAA Division I baseball when he had to push the pause button.

A 2020 graduate of Lake Central High School in St. John, Ind., who lost his senior prep season to the COVID-19 pandemic, Loden put up some head-turning numbers as a Joliet (Ill.) Junior College freshman in 2021.

The lefty batter/righty thrower played in 56 games (51 starts) for the Wolves and hit .297 (51-of-172) with (a single-season school record) 16 home runs, 13 doubles, 63 runs batted in, 41 runs scored, a 1.079 OPS (.428 on-base percentage plus .651 slugging average) and four stolen bases and also made 13 mound appearances (12 starts) and went 5-5 with a 5.53 earned run average, 76 strikeouts and 36 walks in 71 2/3 innings.

Loden was selected for National Junior College Athletic Association all-region honors.

In the summer of 2021, he was a Midwest Collegiate League all-star pitcher while playing for the MCL Minutemen. 

In the first game of the 2022 Joliet JC season, Loden was pitching and humming along when something happened.

“It was going to be my last inning in the fifth and everything started getting tight and I couldn’t (get the ball to) home plate,” says Loden. “There was no pain, but I was super-tight.”

Loden saw limited action the rest of the spring. He pitched in three games (that one start) and went 0-0 with 1.50 ERA, seven strikeouts and one walk in six innings. 

In 11 contests (seven starts) as a hitter, he posted an average of .300 (6-of-20) with one double, five RBIs and five runs.

Playing with a partially-torn Ulnar Collateral Ligament, Loden played in the summer for the Lake County CornDogs of the Northern League (rebranded from the Midwest Collegiate League) and represented the first-year franchise and league champions as an all-star hitter.

But on Aug. 4, 2022, he underwent Tommy John elbow surgery.

By this time, Loden had committed to Oakland University in Rochester, Mich., and played for Horizon League‘s Golden Grizzlies head coach Jordan Banfield. 

Loden took a medical redshirt in 2022-23, stayed home, took online classes at Joliet JC, served as a Lake Central assistant coach and went through his rehab.

When the summer of 2023 rolled around, Loden, who turned 22 in late May, had a choice to make. Would he sit it out as a player or get back on the field and getting ready for Oakland in the fall?

“I decided I need to start playing again,” says Loden, who has been at first base and batting clean-up for the Justin Huisman-managed CornDogs.

In 12 games, he is hitting .214 (9-of-42) with four homers (tied for the Northern League lead), three doubles, 11 RBIs, 10 runs and a .936 OPS (.365/.571). He has not pitched for Lake County this summer. He was named the Player of the Week for the wood-bat circuit on July 10 after a stretch where he hit .333 with two homers and six RBIs.

Loden, who has at least two years of remaining eligibility and maybe three, says he will get the opportunity to be a two-way player (likely first base or DH and pitcher) at Oakland, where he will also plans to be a Interdisciplinary Studies major with an Operations Management minor with an eye on getting his Master of Business Administration degree after completing his undergraduate work.

Born in Munster, Ind., Loden grew up in St. John.

He was on the Lake Central junior varsity as a freshman and played varsity ball for the Indians as a sophomore and junior.

Loden is thankful for what his coaches brought out in him as a high schooler and junior college athlete.

“I absolutely loved playing for Mike Swartzentruber,” says Loden of the Lake Central field boss. “He was a big influence on me. He pushed me to my limits. 

“I give him credit to this day for my baseball abilities and pushing me to become a better man. He taught me a lot about the game of baseball.”

Loden’s grand slam in the semifinals of the 2019 LaPorte Regional helped the Indians beat Crown Point.

Gregg Braun is JCC head coach and director of athletics.

“I loved that man to death. He pushed me to extraordinary limits. He made me find my true potential as a baseball player. 

“(Joliet assistant/Athletic Performance Psychology coach Scott Halicky) helped me find the mental side of baseball. 

“He made me really focus on that and I saw my game really increase to a different level.”

Loden, a 6-foot-1, 215-pounder, explains his offensive approach.

“My thought in the batter’s box is to be on-time,” says Loden. “Timing is literally the ultimate cheat code of hitting a baseball. If your timing is on-point you will hit that baseball no matter what pitch it is.

“I am a big believer in positive self talk. You need to go into that box with all the confidence you have. My main goal to make the pitcher look bad in front of his mom.”

The pitch clock is finding its way to D-I baseball. On the mound, Loden tends to be up-tempo.

“I’m a fairly quick pitcher,” says Loden. “I like to move at a fast pace. I like my defense in the game. I’m not a fan of moving at a slow pace. It gets your defense in flat-footed position.

“I like making hitters guess instead of anticipate which pitches I’m going to throw.”

Mother Joan Loden is a Lake Central math teacher. She has taught for more than four decades and been a long-time cheerleading coach. Father Keith Loden has been in the Lake Central School Corporation transportation department for about 15 years.

Sister Haley Loden (Lake Central Class of 2013) was in cheerleading, softball and track at LC and is now a physical therapy specialist.

Brother Brad Loden (Lake Central Class of 2017) played baseball in high school and is now a law student at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Doug Loden. (Steve Krah Photo)

Doug Loden. (Lake County CornDogs Image).

Doug Loden. (Joliet Junior College Photo)

Doug Loden. (Joliet Junior College Photo)

Pawlik to spend graduate year at Indiana Wesleyan

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Jeff Pawlik has enjoyed competing with friends throughout his athletic life.

He will get to do that with a new set of pals as a baseball graduate transfer at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind.

Pawlik, a 2019 graduate of Penn High School in Mishawaka, Ind., spent the past four seasons (2020-23) at Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind., with 2020 being curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic leading to an extra year of eligibility which he will use at IWU. 

The Lancers and Wildcats are both members of the NAIA and the Crossroads League.

“I’m thankful to Grace baseball for the four years I was able to play there,” says Pawlik, who turned 23 in June. “It was a big part of my life and where I found a true passion for the game.

“I’m thankful for everyone who helped me there and all the relationships I was able to build.”

Pawlik’s head coach with the Lancers was Ryan Roth.

“I really enjoyed it,” says Pawlik of his time playing for Roth. “He treated me with care and gave me an opportunity to play which is something I’m really thankful for in my life.”

Pawlik developed a special bond with Grace assistant Justin Love.

“The coach that has impacted me the most is Coach Love,” says Pawlik. “He developed a work ethic and a mindset in me that helped me be successful in baseball. I don’t think I’d be in the place I am now without him coaching me and being there for me on and off the field. 

“He’s definitely a big part of my life and my baseball career.”

Deciding not to play in the summer of 2021, Pawlik stayed at Grace, lifted weights and worked with Love on his swing.

“It’s probably one of the best things I’ve done,” says Pawlik.

In 153 games at Grace, the lefty swinger hit .267 (136-of-509) with 11 home runs, two triples, 35 doubles, 94 runs batted in, 102 runs scored, a .788 OPS (.379 on-base percentage plus .409 slugging average) and 16 stolen bases.

In 2023, Pawlik batted at a .293 (43-of-147) clip with seven homers, one triple, 10 doubles, 35 RBIs, 40 runs, .962 OPS (.445/.517) and 11 steals in 46 games.

Pawlik, a 6-foot-3, 205-pounder, knocked in five runs in a Feb. 19 against Aquinas at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind.

He tied a program record with three doubles in a game vs. Aquinas in 2022.

After producing 12 multi-hit games in 2022, he posted 11 in 2023 as Grace tied the single-season school record for victories with 21.

In his first 11 games with the 2023 Xenia (Ohio) Scouts of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, Pawlik was hitting .250 (8-of-32) with nine RBIs and six runs.

The Colby Watilo-managed Scouts are affiliated with Athletes In Action. 

Pawlik played for AIA’s Rochester (N.Y.) Ridgemen (managed by former Richmond (Ind.) Roosters infielder Taylor Hargrove) during the 2022 New York Collegiate Baseball League summer slate and had such a good experience that he jumped at the chance to play in Xenia.

A lefty-throwing first baseman, Pawlik prides himself on his D.

“At a young age I learned defensive play wins the game so I’ve always had a big drive to the best at that,” says Pawlik, who counts reading the hitter and making the necessary plays as keys at first base. 

While Penn now his turf, that was not the case when Pawlik was there. Grace has also had grass and dirt. IWU has a turf field.

“The natural field has helped me become the fielder I am because you don’t get the luxury of turf hops and you learn to deal with bad hops,” says Pawlik.

After Pawlik announced he would transfer for his grad year, he talked to Ian MacDonald — who is now head coach at Indiana Wesleyan.

“There was super high interest from both sides,” says Pawlik. “I just really like how they carry themselves and what they’re about at (Indiana) Wesleyan.”

He visited the campus a couple of weeks into the summer.

“I loved everything about it —  the coaches, the facilities. A couple of days after that I decided to make it official and make it my home for my fifth year.”

IWU went 41-20-1 overall and 26-10 in the Crossroads League and made its first NAIA World Series appearance in 2023.

Born in South Bend, Ind., Jeff Pawlik grew up in nearby Granger with parents Rod and Lisa and sister Lexie.

Rod Pawlik is a longtime Penn football assistant coach.

Lisa Pawlik is a Health/Physical Education teacher and former head volleyball coach. She guided Penn to state championships in 2010 and 2011 — the first one with the help of Lexie Pawlik (Class of 2011), who went on to play at the University of South Carolina and Western Michigan University and was a coach as Lexie Banks.

“(My parents) instilled in me the hard work ethic growing up,” says Pawlik. “I was always in the gym with them or on the field. I got to see them go about their business. 

“They also taught me to have short-term memory if things aren’t going well and just move on to the next.”

Jeff played at what is now Harris Township Baseball Softball and was in travel ball with the Granger Irish, Michiana Scrappers, Mark Haley-coached South Bend Cubs and Mike Marks-coached Hitters Edge (Sturgis, Mich.).

Pawlik was on the Penn varsity as a junior and senior, playing for Greg Dikos (who is Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer and recently became a six-time state champion coach).

“It was a good experience,” says Pawlik of his time with the Kingsmen. “I had a lot of fun. Those were my buddies growing up. 

“We just got along really well and it was a super-competitive atmosphere.”

Rod and Lisa also played videos of Michael Jordan for their son.

“I could see how competitive he was and how intensely he played the game,” says Pawlik. “Watching how successful that made him made me want to play the same way.

“Obviously I don’t have the same talent he does, but I can carry myself in the same way.”

Pawlik, who has been honored as CSC Academic All-District and Academic all-conference during his career, earned a Sport Management degree with a Business Administration minor and began working on his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Grace and says he will look to finish it at IWU.

Jeff Pawlik. (Grace College Photo)

Jeff Pawlik. (Grace College Photo)

Jeff Pawlik. (Grace College Photo)

Jeff Pawlik. (Grace College Photo)

Jeff Pawlik. (Grace College Photo)

Former Ivy Tech Northeast righty Bultemeier taking his talents to Tiffin U.

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

At 6-foot and 155 pounds, Justin Bultemeier is not one of the bigger pitchers on the college baseball scene.

But the determined right-hander has applied what he’s learned and it has landed him another opportunity following two seasons of junior college ball.

Bultemeier, who turns 21 in July, is headed to NCAA Division II Tiffin (Ohio) University (where Joe Wilkins is Dragons head coach) after pitching for Ivy Tech Northeast Community College in Fort Wayne, Ind., in 2022 and 2023.

“It took a lot of work,” says Bultemeier. “Not being biggest guy or the throwing the hardest I had to learn to pitch.”

Like brother Brandon Bultemeier before him, Justin became a Ivy Tech Titans. Javier DeJesus was his pitching coach.

“I learned a crazy amount from him,” says Bultemeier. “My time with him is something I’m never going to forget. It’s something I will never take for granted. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him. He helped me in an incredible way.

“Mechanically, he helped me move more efficiently and stay healthy. Mentally, he helped me learn the game of pitching, the game of baseball to just how to set up hitters, how hitters think and to maintain the best mindset on the bump.”

Titans head coach Connor Wilkins also gets credit for his impact.

“He really taught us the overall mindset with baseball — not only how to be the best player but to be a great man after college. He taught us about integrity and how we should live our lives on and off the baseball field.”

Brandon Bultemeier (a 5-foot-9, 140-pound righty heading into his third season at Indiana University-Kokomo in 2023-24 while pursuing a Master of Business Administration after earning an Accounting degree) and younger brother Justin have both been underdogs during their diamond days.

“We’ve always been on the smaller side,” says Justin. “We were overlooked with each of our recruiting processes.

“We’ve both fed off that and out-worked a lot of people to get where we’re at.”

In 2023, Brandon Bultemeier made 16 mound appearances (all in relief) and went 4-1 with a 3.18 earned run average, 12 strikeouts and nine walks in 22 2/3 innings. Justin Bultemeier pitched in 11 mound games (9 starts) and went 4-3 with four complete games, one shutout, a 2.45 ERA, 53 strikeouts and 17 walks in 55 innings.

Tiffin coaches came to see him against Lakeland Community College in March and were impressed.

“The decision process was tough,” says Justin Bultemeier of where to go after Ivy Tech. “I prayed a lot over it. I trusted God in my decision.

“I feel good with where I’m at now.”

After earning an associate degree, Bultemeier says he intends to pursue an Exercise Science degree at Tiffin then go into a three-year doctorate program in Physical Therapy.

Born in Fort Wayne, Bultemeier grew up in Decatur, Ind., and played on youth teams in Hoagland, Monmouth and Monroe and some travel ball with the Berne (Ind.) Bears and Monroe-based Indiana Bandits.

Bultemeier played one full varsity season at Adams Central Middle/High School in Monroe — his final prep campaign in 2021. He played a few varsity games as a freshman and sophomore and COVID-19 pandemic took away the 2020 season.

Dave Neuenschwander was the Jets head coach.

“I appreciate everything he’s done for me,” says Bultemeier. “He helped me get to this point in my journey. Everyone that has been a coach for me has helped me in some sort of way. He gave me the opportunity to grow as a senior on the mound.

“That’s where I found my passion for pitching.”

The summer after high school, Bultemeier played for an 18U team in a Fort Wayne league. In 2022 and 2023, he’s been with the Grand Lake Mariners (Celina, Ohio) in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.

Throwing from a high three-quarter arm slot, Bultemeier uses a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, sinker, curveball, slider and change-up.

The four-seamer sits and 87-88 mph and has topped out at 92.

He mixed the two-seamer with the sinker — a pitch taught to him by DeJesus which runs into right-handed hitters and has a lot of late movement.

“It tunnels off my fastball very well,” says Bultemeier.

The curve is closer to 1-to-7 than 12-to-6.

The slider became part of the mix in the last one and a half.

“It’s become one of my better pitches to get strikeouts, swings and misses  and weak contact,” says Bultemeier.

His “circle” change dives away from left-handed hitters.

Terry Bultemeier — father of Justin and Brandon — played baseball at Bellmont High School in Decatur and Southeastern Louisiana University and is now an insurance agent in New Haven, Ind. Mother Angie Bultemeier is a loan processor in Berne.

Justin Bultemeier. (Ivy Tech Northeast Community College Photo)

Justin Bultemeier (left) and Javier DeJesus. (Ivy Tech Northeast Community College Photo)

Justin Bultemeier. (Grand Lake Mariners Photo)

Justin Bultemeier. (Kaitlin Rickert Photo)

Justin Bultemeier. (Kaitlin Rickert Photo)

Justin Bultemeier. (Kaitlin Rickert Photo)

Justin Bultemeier. (Grand Lake Mariners Photo)

Justin Bultemeier. (Tiffin University Image)

Right-hander Fender preparing for fifth year at Murray State

By STEVE KRAH
http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Ryan Fender is spending the summer of 2023 in bounce-back mode.
A 6-foot-3, 220-pound right-handed pitcher, Fender is preparing for his fifth and final year at Murray (Ky.) State University. His 2023 season was cut short by a sprained Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) experienced in Week 2.
“I definitely do prefer starting,” says Fender. “At the beginning of the year I got myself into the weekend rotation and was going to be our Sunday starter.”
Fender is doing his rehabilitation in Crown Point, Ind., where he graduated from high school in 2019. He says he expects to be throwing again in mid-July.
“It’s the end of a long process,” says Fender, 22. “I should be good to go next spring.”
Fender made two mound appearances (both starts) and was 0-1 with nine strikeouts and four walks in 8 2/3 innings in 2023.
In four seasons at Murray State (2020-23), the righty has pitched in 28 games (17 in relief) and recorded 49 strikeouts and 37 walks in 51 1/3 innings.
Fender earned a Construction Management and Architecture degree in the spring and will pursue an online Master of Business Administration while playing for the MSU Racers in 2023-24.
Dan Skirka is head coach at Missouri Valley Conference member Murray State and Steve Adkins is pitching coach.
“He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had,” says Fender of Skirka. “He truly is a players’ coach. He cares about us as humans more than anything.
“I had trouble my first couple years with command and not pitching very well, results-based issues. He never gave up on me and kept giving me chances. Eventually we got it all turned around.”
While he was still Crown Point High School, Fender was recruited by Kevin Moulder and decided to hold to his commitment when Moulder left.
Adkins has helped Fender with the mental side of pitching.
“You get to this level (NCAA D-I) everybody’s got good stuff,” says Fender. “That’s not a separator. The separator is how well you can execute no matter the situation and where you’re at mentally.”
Adkins is fond of an expression that’s a twist on the commercial with Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Mark McGwire and Heather Locklear and “Chicks Dig the Long Ball” — “Chicks Dig Mound Presence.”
Using a three-quarter overhand arm slot, Fender throws a four-seam fastball, change-up, curveball and slider.
The four-seamer has natural run on it. He got it up to 93 mph in fall 2022 scrimmages. The pitch usually sits at 89-90.
Fender employs a modified “circle” change.
“I flip the ball around a little bit,” says Fender of his grip.
Early in his pitching life, Fender took lessons from Joe Plesac and learned his curve.
“My middle finger puts pressure on the ball and I put my pointer finger where it’s comfortable,” says Fender.
Some call it a “knuckle” curve, some a “spike” curve. Fender says the first description is deceiving since the action is not like a fluttering knuckleball.
He recently added the slider to his pitch mix.
“The movement profile is more like a cutter,” says Fender. “It stays on a vertical plane but horizontally it moves 7 inches maybe.”
Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., Fender moved to Crown Point with his family around age 3.
From 6-12, he played at Crown Point Little League then Crown Point Babe Ruth.
Travel teams included the Dave Griffin-coached Outsiders Baseball Club, Troy Drosche-coached 17U Indiana Bulls and Shane Brogan-coached 18U Midwest Irish. He also played in the College Summer League at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind., in 2021.
Fender’s coach at Crown Point High was Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Steve Strayer.
“I loved playing for Coach Strayer,” says Fender. “He always pushed us to the edge of our abilities. He got the best out of his players.
Another big thing about the culture Coach Strayer has at Crown Point. It’s like you’re truly part of a family when you’re playing. I still talk to a bunch of kids I played with.”
In 2019, Fender was an IHSBCA and Prep Baseball Report Indiana all-stater as well as an IHSBCA North/South All-Star Series participant. He was MVP of the Duneland Athletic Conference and on the first teams for the all-area squads named by the Northwest Indiana Times and Post-Tribune.
For his prep career, he was 14-4 with a 1.02 ERA and 203 strikeouts. He posted an 0.61 ERA with 126 K’s as a senior. He was IHSBCA Academic All-State in 2019 and a four-time Scholar-Athlete at Crown Point.
The Bulldogs were DAC champions in 2017 and 2019. CP was sectional champions in 2019.
Mike and Paula Fender have two children — Emily and Ryan.
Mike Fender is an Certified Orthotic Fitter and Paula Fender Vice President of Credit Risk Governance at Centier Bank. Emily (Fender) Sizemore lives in Crown Point.

Ryan Fender. (Murray State University Photo)

Ryan Fender. (Murray State University Photo)

Ryan Fender. (Murray State University Photo)

Before joining Marines, Miller helping Indiana State on mound

By STEVE KRAH
http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Lane Miller’s final college baseball season is ending with him performing a different function than when he began.
Before the 2023 campaign at Indiana State University, Miller announced he would join the U.S. Marines after the season and apply for Officer Candidates School (OCS) in Quantico, Va. He has completed a Sport Management degree and Master of Business Administration (MBA) certification at ISU and is now working on a Sports Leadership minor.
“I talked to the coaches and my priority was going to be to get ready for that,” says Miller. “I was just going to be a leader on the team and help where I needed to help.”
He coached up his teammates, gathered statistics and contributed to scouting reports.”
Then came a need for him to pitch. He made starts March 28 against Purdue, April 2 against Illinois-Chicago, April 9 against Illinois State, April 16 against Belmont and — in an adjusted schedule — is slated to start again Monday, April 24 against Missouri Valley Conference foe Southern Illinois at Bob Warn Field in Terre Haute.
6-foot-4, 211-pound right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.95 earned run average. He has 16 strikeouts and eight walks in 27 2/3 innings. Opponents are hitting .196 against him.
With a 10-2 victory at No. 4 Vanderbilt, No. 22 Indiana State ran its win streak to 11 (Illinois-Chicago two games, Indiana, Illinois State three games, Purdue, Belmont three games and Vandy).
It’s the second double-digit streak since Mitch Hannahs has been head coach. The Sycamores previously won 12 in a row in 2014.
Through April 19, Indiana State was No. 12 in the NCAA Division I RPI (Rating Percentage Index) rankings.
“Everybody is taking it game-by-game,” says Miler. “We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. Coach Hannahs says, ‘anywhere anytime.’ That’s how it is in college baseball right now. Any team can beat anybody at anytime.”
Miller says the Sycamores are out to prove that they deserve the recognition.
“We just pick each other up on good days and bad days and keep moving forward,” says Miller.
Consistency is what Miller sees when he looks at Hannahs.
“It’s knowing that we’re going to get the same thing every day when we show up at the field. I know he has a high expectation not only for himself, but for his coaches and the team as a whole.
“His loyalty to us is second to none.”
Miller, who made 15 mound appearances (18 innings) 2020-22, works closest with Sycamores pitching coach Justin Hancock.
“He’s very determined,” says Miller of Hancock. “He knows what he wants out of the pitching staff and each player. He holds them to a high standard.
“His standard never falters on a daily basis.”
Miller throws a two-seam fastball, change-up and slider and has been working in a pitch that is a mix of slider and curve. Depending on the count or situation, he also change arm slots — over-the-top or sidearm.
Throwing from the side, his two-seamer moves left to right and slider right to left.
“I’ve done a good job of not doing one or the other (arm slot) too much,” says Miller. “I’m a very quick pitcher. I tend to work fast. With the 20-second pitch clock rule the faster I work the less time the hitter gets to think.
“It’s really worked to my benefit.”
Born in Evansville, Ind., to a military family, Miller spent early years in South Carolina and Idaho, and settled in Boonville, Ind., in his seventh grade year. He played most of his travel ball in middle school and high school with the Ironmen.
Lane is the son of Todd Miller and Summer (Hart) Williams. His father was in the military for more than 20 years, serving in the U.S. Navy and with the Special Forces. His mother played basketball at the University of Evansville. Sister Daleigh Miller is an Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis senior. Brother Caiden Miller is a Marine.
A 2017 graduate of Boonville High School, Miller was an all-Pocket Athletic Conference performer in football, basketball and baseball. On the diamond, his head coach was Cory Julian.
“He held me to a higher standard than he did anybody else,” says Miller of Julian. “He counted on me to be the leader of the team.”
Miller played multiple positions for the Pioneers in all three sports — wide receiver, quarterback, cornerback, punter and kicker in football, forward and center in basketball and first base, third base, shortstop outfield and pitcher in baseball.
Miller played with the Terre Haute Rex at the end of the summer of 2022. He was with the Local Legends of the College Summer League at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind., in 2021. He did not play summer ball in 2020 — the year of limited opportunities because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The righty was Pitcher of the Year with the Saugerties (N.Y.) Stallions of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League in 2019. He was with the Rex in 2018. He went to summer school at Indiana University in 2017.
Recruited by Chris Lemonis (who departed IU for Mississippi State), Miller left after the fall and transferred to ISU. He sat out the first year with the Sycamores and also underwent foot surgery as a freshman and had surgery on both hips in 2020.

Lane Miller. (Indiana State University)

Lane Miller. (Indiana State University)

Contributing to team success is driving force for U. of Cincinnati’s Cross

BY STEVE KRAH
http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Kerrington Cross produced strong numbers the first chance he got to play collegiate baseball.
After not seeing action for the University of Cincinnati in 2021, Cross played in 52 games (50 starts) and hit .291 (57-of-196) with nine home runs, five triples, nine doubles, 30 runs batted in, 44 runs scored and 17 stolen bases in 2022.
The 2020 Brownsburg (Ind.) High School graduate led the American Athletic Conference in three-baggers and his team in bases pilfered.
In the last game of the 2022 season, Bearcats head coach Scott Googins started Cross at third base and in the lead-off spot in the batting order. The 6-foot, 200-pound athlete began the campaign at second base and hit from many different slots throughout the spring.
The coach holds his players accountable.
“(Googins) likes really gritty players and talks about us being a brotherhood,” says Cross. “He pushes us. He likes people to grow from their failures.”
Cross, 20, enjoyed a productive season with the 2021 Great Summer League Collegiate League’s Cincinnati Steam where the righty swinger wielded a wood bat and hit .419 (52-of-124), four homers, 23 RBIs, 31 runs and 14 steals.
But stats or any of the five tools of baseball are not what drives Cross.
“I’d rather not think about that,” says Cross. “What does this team need? That’s what I’m focused on.
“I apply myself to the team more than thinking about my skill set.”
Helping him hone his skills and more is Cincinnati assistant Kyle Sprague, who guides baserunners, hitters and infielders.
“He’s at the field three hours longer than the players setting up all the drills,” says Cross of Sprague. “He puts his heart and soul into the game.
“I have a weird class schedule so we’ve done a lot of 1-on-1.”
As a student in UC’s five-year Chemical Engineering program, Cross revolves class work with cooperatives. He is getting practical experience on a co-op this summer.
He played in seven games for the 2022 Steam, but the schedule of working from 7:30 to 4 p.m. and then “show and go” every game was not helping him.
“I decided to develop on my own,” says Cross.
Looking at his best athletic qualities, Cross cites brainpower.
“On the field, it’s my I.Q.,” says Cross. “It ties into my major. I’m considered a nerd, I guess. In high school, I was really good with numbers, really good at science and had a good memory.”
To put even more in his tool box, Cross plans to add a Master of Business Administration (MBA) to his resume.
Born in Honolulu, Cross moved to Brownsburg about the time he was starting school.
He played at Brownsburg Little League and then went to travel ball with the Indiana Bulls from 13U to 17U.
Denied a senior high school season in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cross went with the Westfield, Ind.-based College Summer League at Grand Park’s A-Team before going to Cincinnati.
In three years of varsity seasons for the Brownsburg Bulldogs, Cross played one year for head coach Eric Mattingly and two for Dan Roman.
“Both are great guys,” says Cross. “Mattingly gave me an opportunity. He opened my eyes that I could take it to a new level.
“Roman pushed me to be better. He knew I had the potential. We bonded about more than just baseball and stay in-touch. He’s a really good friend of mine.”
Kerrington has an older brother (Kasey) and sister (Clarice). Their parents are Harold and Miki Cross. He is from Illinois and she from Japan. They met in Hawaii. Harold Cross runs a Hometown Mini Donuts cart and Miki Cross is a translator (English to Japanese and vice versa).

Kerrington Cross (University of Cincinnati Photo)

Kerrington Cross (University of Cincinnati Photo)

Kerrington Cross (University of Cincinnati Image)

Kerrington Cross (University of Cincinnati Photo)

Kerrington Cross (University of Cincinnati Image)

Kerrington Cross (University of Cincinnati Photo)

Bradley’s Husmann makes habit of bashing baseballs

BY STEVE KRAH
http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Carson Husmann was known to put baseballs in orbit while playing for the Satellites of South Central Junior/Senior High School in Union Mills, Ind.
The right-handed hitter belted 31 home runs during his prep career, including 14 as a senior in 2019.
Husmann was back at it in 2022 at NCAA Division I Bradley University in Peoria, Ill.
In 49 games (all starts), the corner outfielder hit .277 (52-of-188) with 13 homers, nine doubles, 45 runs batted in, 38 runs scored and .908 OPS (.365 on-base percentage plus .543 slugging average).
Batting in the No. 4 hole in the Braves lineup, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Husmann went to the dish with an idea.
“Hunt the fastball in the (strike) zone and don’t miss it,” says Husmann. “I can do damage with other pitches as well, but I really don’t want to miss the fastball in any count.”
While playing for the Josh Foreman-managed Moon Shots in the 2022 College Summer League at Grand Park, Husmann batted .352 with two homers, eight doubles and 15 RBIs. He also socked a homer in the CSL All-Star Game and made the All-CSL team as an outfielder.
His offensive aim was to improve his small-ball two-strike approach.
“I was working on keeping the ball in the zone,” says Husmann. “Cutting down on the strikeouts is the biggest goal I had this summer.”
He fanned 67 times and walked 20 in the spring.
Husmann did not enjoy much success at the plate his first two seasons at Bradley (2020 and 2021).
In 28 games, he hit .189 (14-of-74) with three homers, two doubles, 14 RBIs and 14 runs.
“Freshman year was a blur with COVID,” says Husmann. “The following year I had an injury that no one really knew about that messed with me mentally.
“Baseball is a mental game for sure.”
Batting in the 5-hole and doing well, Husmann fouled a ball off his left ankle.
“It went down hill from there,” says Husmann. “It was something I was always thinking about.”
There was a persistent cramping feeling.
With air travel restrictions, Bradley had to hit the road.
“We went on 14-hour bus trips back-to-back-to-back and I formed a blood clot,” says Husmann. “I was taking baby aspirin.”
Husmann signed to play with the Duluth (Minn.) Huskies for the 2022 Northwoods League summer season.
But injury caused him to stay closer to home and he was with the Grand Park league champion Bag Bandits (managed by Caleb Fenimore).
That’s where Husmann began to get back on track.
“I got my head right and just went from there,” says Husmann.
At Bradley, he played for head coach Elvis Dominguez and works with hitting coach Kyle Trewyn.
“When I think of Coach D I think of how he’s created a family environment,” says Husmann of Dominguez. “(Trewyn) gets you in a good place to hit. As you get older you can do those things on your own. He always stuck with me. He’s helped me become a better hitter overall.”
Born in Valparaiso, Ind., Husmann grew up in Hanna, Ind.
He played his earliest organized baseball in Hanna then was in travel ball with the Chesterton Vipers, Michigan Blue Jays and Chicago-based Midwest Rangers and subbed with other squads.
“It was with the Blue Jays that I first got individual coaching and started to develop,” says Husmann.
As a four-year varsity player at South Central, he hit over .400 each season and drove in 112 runs in 100 games. He was a Class 1A first-team all-stater.
He was a classmate and teammate of Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association North/South All-Stars MVP Kyle Schmack (now at Valparaiso University).
Ryan Kruszka, who pitched at Butler University was the Satellites head baseball coach. Former Valparaiso U. hurler Jared Miller was pitching coach.
“They had that college experience and were able to make us a better team because of it,” says Husmann. “Our conditioning was college style. It helped me know what to expect (in college).”
The first summer after high school was Husmann’s last with the Midwest Rangers.
In 2020, he was going to play in the Northwoods League with the Lacrosse (Wis.) Loggers. When that team played a modified season because the pandemic, Husmann was able to get in his reps with the Long Boarders of the San Diego League.
He learned about the SDL from Bradley teammate and San Diego native Connor O’Brien.
Husmann, 21, will head back to college with two years of remaining eligibility.
He is 10 hours shy of earning his Business Management and Leadership degree. He expects to be a graduate student in the spring while he works toward a Master of Business Administration.
“If the (Major League Baseball First-Year Player) Draft isn’t an option, I’ll use that fifth year for sure,” says Husmann, a regular on the Bradley Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. “I thought of getting a minor or a second major. But an MBA is a way to separate you from others.”
Carson is the second of Lance and Kim Husmann’s three sons. Cooper (24) played basketball and baseball at South Central and graduated in 2016. Cade (20) was in the South Central Class of 2020.
Former longtime union painter Lance Husmann works at Hard Rock Casino in Gary, Ind. Kim Husmann has worked as a teacher’s assistant.

Carson Husmann (Bradley University Photo)

Carson Husmann (Josh Schwam/Bradley University Photo)

Carson Husmann (Josh Schwam/Bradley University Photo)

Carson Husmann (Josh Schwam/Bradley University Photo)

Carson Husmann (Josh Schwam/Bradley University Photo)

Carson Husmann (Josh Schwam/Bradley University Photo)

Carson Husmann (College Summer League at Grand Park Photo)

Carson Husmann (College Summer League at Grand Park Photo)

Stull joins seasoned group with top-ranked Southeastern U.

By STEVE KRAH
http://www.IndianaRBI.com

At 23 and in his fifth season, Eston Stull is a college baseball veteran.
The right-handed pitcher finds himself surrounded by many other seasoned players as part of a Southeastern University team ranked No. 1 in NAIA.
“The best part of this team is humble confidence,” says Stull of the Lakeland, Fla.-based Fire. “You look in the dugout and they’re not nervous. Even if we’re down, they have the confidence that somebody is going to pick them up.
“It’s a team that almost coaches itself. Having that veteran presence has helped this team a lot.”
Stull, a 2017 graduate of Pendleton (Ind.) Heights High School, played four seasons at Indiana University-Kokomo (2018-21) while earning degrees in Finance and Management.
In 51 mound appearances (27 starts), Stull went 13-4 with a 4.57 earned run average. He amassed 187 strikeouts and 89 walks in 159 2/3 innings.
Matt Howard left the IUK program as head coach and Stull — who was granted an extra year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic — began exploring his options.
“I reached out on Twitter,” says Stull. Those Tweets drew the attention of SEU assistant coach/recruiting director Mike Mendoza and Stull corresponded with him and head coach Adrian Dinkel while pitching in the summer of 2021 for the Northwoods League’s Kokomo Jackrabbits.
Stull decided to join a program that went 51-9 and competed in the 2021 NAIA World Series. Excluding the 2020 COVID season, Southeastern has posted four straight 50-win campaigns and is closing in on a fifth in 2022. Going into The Sun Conference tournament May 5-8 in West Palm Beach, Fla., the Fire is 47-3.
The NAIA Opening Round is slated for May 16-19. Taylor University in Upland, Ind., is one the 10 sites and the SEU could be assigned there which is about 40 miles northeast of Pendleton.
In 14 games (13 in relief), graduate student Stull is 0-0 with 0 saves and a 2.11 ERA. The righty has 32 strikeouts and seven walks in 21 1/3 innings.
Graduate assistant Connor Dailey, who was a reliever 2015-18 at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C., is Southeastern’s pitching coach.
“He’s somewhat our age and easy to talk to,” says Stull of Dailey. “He trusts all of us and let’s us stick to our own routine.”
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Stull has made the adjustment from starter to relief pitcher.
“I think I fit better in the bullpen for this team,” says Stull, who mixes a four-seam fastball, curve, slider and change-up from a high three-quarter arm angle.
His four-seamer sits 92 to 93 mph and recently reach 97. His curve has a 12-to-6 action. He throws what he calls a “gyro” slider.
“It goes down like a reverse change-up,” says Stull. “I look at the Rapsodo (motion capture system) and try to keep the spin efficiency below 12 and the RPM’s up (he averages 2800 with the pitch).
Stull began throwing his change-up more last summer.
“I have a good shape for it,” says Stull. “It’s just finding the time to get comfortable throwing it in-game.”
Away from the diamond, Stull is working toward a Master of Business Administration and expects to take summer classes and finish as soon as possible. His coaches are looking to place him with a team.
“I want to see how far baseball will take me,” says Stull. “I don’t want to have any regrets.”
Born in Pendelton to Todd and Misty Stull, Eston grew up around the area and played what is now known as Pendleton Junior Baseball/Softball and then in travel ball, including time with the Indiana Nitro.
At Pendleton Heights, his head coach was Travis Keesling.
“I struggled my junior year and did not pitch much,” says Stull. “Coach Keesling sat me down and said you need to figure it out.”
Stull began training with Greg Vogt — first at VIP and then PRP Baseball (in Noblesville, Ind.).
“I had a great senior year,” says Stull.
He still stays in-touch with Vogt.
“I’ve reached out to him a couple of times with tips,” says Stull of the former Carmel (Ind.) High School and Anderson (Ind.) University hurler who has moved his family to Florida and added rehab pitching coach for the Toronto Blue Jays system to his PRP Baseball duties.
All three of Todd and Misty’s sons are in college. Eston’s younger brother Walker Stull pitches at Anderson U., and has trained with his at PRP Baseball. The youngest — Harrison Stull — is a student at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Their parents have moved to Jacksonville, Fla.

Eston Stull (Southeastern University Photo)

Eston Stull (Southeastern University Photo)