KALAMAZOO, Mich. – With Western Michigan baseball's opening day on Friday, Feb. 17, we will be taking a look at the 2017 version of the Broncos on a class-by-class basis, heading over to the senior class. Seven student-athletes make up the senior class, including three infielders, two pitchers and two hybrid players. Grant Miller comes in after being named to the 2016 Mid-American Conference (MAC) All-Tournament team and Gabe Berman enters as WMU's all-time leader in saves (21).
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WMU opens the season on Friday, Feb. 17 at Kennesaw State at 4 p.m. and stays in the state of Georgia to battle Georgia State on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. and Georgia Tech on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m.
Head coach Billy Gernon on the senior class: The senior class has made it to the post season every year and is 7-5 in the MAC Tournament. Last season, they helped win the programs first ever MAC Tournament Championship and qualified for the first NCAA Regional appearance since 1989. Not only do they understand how to start a race, they more importantly know how to finish it.
This is a special and very unique group of guys. They all have a chip on their shoulder for various reasons in spite of having just won the programs first ever MAC Tournament. They know how important it is for us to win the MAC outright and they are hungry and determined to reach their goals."
Gernon breaks down each member of the senior class….
#1 Grant Miller / INF / 5-11 / 185 / Bay City, Mich. / Bay City Western
Grant Miller started every game at third base last season and posted a jaw-dropping .978 fielding percentage having only committed four errors. He has rapidly developed into a very good catcher and gives us tremendous depth behind the plate. Miller posted a .321 average, second best on the team just behind Connor Smith and had only 24 strike outs in 215 at bats. Miller is one of the best line to line hitters I have ever coached and has a very high baseball I.Q. Grant has a tremendous eye and is a very disciplined hitter that is coming off a stellar summer in the Coastal Plains League. He is as strong as he has ever been and appears to be poised for his best season yet.
#4 Alex Goodwin / C/OF / 5-11 / 185 / Midland, Mich. / Midland
Alex Goodwin will share catching duties with Jesse Forestell while platooning the outfield as well. Alex is going to fight in the box and give us a good at-bat every time. He is an extremely selfless player and will help strengthen the bottom half of our batting order.
#6 Nick Vogelmeier / INF / 5-11 / 190 / Lake Orion, Mich. / Lake Orion
Nick Vogelmeier led the team with 36 walks in 2016 and will return at second base for the Broncos. Vogelmeier was third on the team in on-base percentage and has also taken his game to another level. Nick renewed his commitment in the weight room and has added strength to his bat. He is an extremely versatile player and understands offensive situations while being a very intelligent base runner.
#11 Beau Filkins / OF/INF / 6-0 / 195 / Chicago, Ill. / Mount Carmel
Beau Filkins will get some early time over at first base for us after missing the 2016 season due to medical issues. He'll look to fill the void Hunter Prince left after graduating last season. Filkins will bring some senior leadership and a nice bat to add to the lineup.
#17 Tyler Frank / OF / 6-0 / 200 / Adrian, Mich. / Adrian
I have had to fortune to coach a lot of great teammates. Tyler Frank is no exception and makes us a better team in so many ways.
#18 Kyle Mallwitz / RHP / 6-1 / 195 / Galesburg, Mich. / Kellogg CC
Kyle Mallwitz set the school record with 34 appearances in 2016. Kyle was 1-2 with a 5.44 ERA out of the bullpen last season. He has dedicated himself to improving upon his command and location of all pitches. He has a special arsenal and strengthens our bullpen.
#40 Gabe Berman / RHP / 6-2 / 215 / Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Andover
Redshirt senior Gabe Berman returns after missing 2016 due to injury. Gabe is the career leader in saves and will assume that closer role again this season. Berman was 5-3 with 7 saves and a 2.68 ERA in 2015. He struck out 41 batters while issuing only 17 walks in 37 innings pitched. "Gabe is a warrior and a great last line of defense. He has a short memory and feeds off of having the ball in his hands late in the game or any pressure packed situation for that matter. Our bullpen missed him very badly last season and he is as hungry as I have ever seen him.
