Feb. 12, 2008
With major league teams reporting for Spring Training today, the Dayton Flyer baseball team is making its own preparations for the start of its season on Feb. 22 when UD takes on Campbell in a doubleheader. In the days leading up to the Flyers' season opener, DaytonFlyers.com will feature a five-part preview beginning Wednesday with the outfielders.
Dayton's outfield will feature an exciting mix of players in 2008 that should provide offense to a team that hit just .280 overall last season and averaged 5.6 runs per game while still serving as solid defenders according to UD Head Coach Tony Vittorio.
"I feel the strength of our outfield lies in their offense," Vittorio said. "Not only is our leading hitter off of last year's team back in Myles Swartzel, the addition of Jake Spaeth, as our leadoff hitter, and Jake Hoover, a player who possibly could hit for average and power, adds to that offensive strength. Kevin Miller has also stepped up his offensive game in the off season."
The Flyer outfield will feature five players that will have the opportunity to prove themselves during the early portion of the season. Among the returnees are redshirt junior Myles Swartzel, seniors Kevin Miller and Shawn Gizynski and junior Max Navalinski.
Swartzel was voted as UD's Most Improved Player last season after hitting .352 with 14 RBI and 14 runs scored. The left-handed hitter had just four career at-bats entering the 2007 campaign, but rattled off a nine-game hitting streak while leading the Flyers in hitting for most of the season.
Miller has started in 52 games over the past two seasons including 20 last season and has been one of the better defensive players in the Dayton outfield over his career. He has tallied 130 errorless chances in the field while scoring 26 runs in 188 at-bats over the past three seasons.
Gizynski hit .238 in his Flyer debut last season and will likely contribute as a designated hitter again in 2008. He appeared in 42 games and tallied a .378 on base percentage with 13 runs scored and 18 RBI.
Navalinski lifted his average from .200 in his freshman season to .296 last year despite appearing in only 33 games. He was at his best early in the season with a five-game hitting streak in early March during which he hit 10-for-22 (.456). His hitting streak started at Applachian State where he had one of his best games going 4-for-5 with three RBI and two doubles.
"The lineup could very easily be based on whether we are facing a right handed or left handed pitcher," Vittorio commented. "Our goal will be to have the lineup set by A-10 play as many guys are still competing for a spot."
Among those looking to make their mark will be newcomers Jacob Spaeth and Jake Hoover.
Spaeth was an All-Conference selection in 2006 at Madison Area Technical College. Over the past two seasons he stole 71 bases in just 78 attempts, leading the team with 56 runs. The projected leadoff hitter at UD also ranked second on the MATC roster with 36 RBI last season.
Hoover comes to Dayton from Neosho County Community College, where he hit .348 with 20 home runs in over the past two seasons. He earned Conference Freshman Player of the Year honors while also being named Neosho County Community College Athlete of the Year and taking home two First Team All-Conference honors.
"For our team to succeed this season, the outfielders must play consistent defense and always do their best to keep the double play in tact," Vittorio said. "Offensively, they need to live up to their expectations. If they play to their ability, this group will be a large part of our success in 2008."
Next up, www.DaytonFlyers.com will preview the Flyer Infield on Friday leading up to the season-opening doubleheader at Campbell on Friday, February 22. The entire three-game series between the Flyers and the Camels can be followed from Buies Creek, NC with Live Stats at www.DaytonFlyers.com.
