By STEVE KRAH
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.
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