Herkimer Baseball

The Program

Herkimer baseball has climbed to the top of NJCAA DIII baseball under the direction of head coach Jason Rathbun (90-32).  Herkimer has powered their way to the top with strong offensive teams sporting team batting averages of .362, .380, and .415.  To go along with the offense, Herkimer plays strong fundamental defense behind smart pitching for a winning combination. During the past three seasons, Herkimer has collected three straight Regional Final Fours, two Regional Championships, a Mountain Valley Conference Championship, Academic All-American Honors, and two World Series appearances. The program is a three-part season set up to keep our student athletes competing at the top level in the classroom and on the field.

Herkimer baseball begins the day you walk on campus. Fall baseball includes preseason tournaments against outside competition, intrasquad scrimmages, daily practice fundamentals, plyometric and weight conditioning, mental preparation, and our Blood Bowl Series.  It gives us a chance to evaluate you over a time period to see what your future will be with the program.

The winter is the off season where we provide indoor facilities for weight training, five indoor batting cages, three indoor mounds, open turf area, two gymnasiums, and a indoor pool for aquatic training. The winter is important for growth and strength conditioning.

Our annual spring trip in March kicks off our spring season of competition. Spring season is a 40 game scheduled season against Mountain Valley Conference teams, NJCAA Region III teams, along with competition from outside the region against top Division I and II teams.  The Region III record determines seeding for tournament play, with the chance to advance to the NJCAA Division III World Series.   

2008 Season Preview

Herkimer will start the season ranked #3 in the preseason Collegiate Baseball Magazine poll and #6 in the NJCAA poll. Herkimer is coming off of two regional championships and a third place finish in the World Series last season. Filling the shoes of eight starters on offense will not be an easy task for the Generals this season. 

Rex Brinkmeyer and Don Potter will return for the Generals and plan on taking this team on their backs. Pitching will be the key for Herkimer this year as they return three pitchers with big game experience, all receiving starts in the World Series last season. Freshman All-American Keith Hendricks will be inserted into the closer’s role, and Brinkmeyer and Potter will lead a group of talented arms into the spring season. Following the top two rotation spots will be three transfer students Mitch Kierpiec (transfer from Eckard College), Casey Avery (transfer from Hudson Valley CC), and Tom Wiacek (transfer from Adirondack CC).  Avery and Kierpiec provide the staff with experienced arms that can control a game with their make-up. Wiacek provides a power arm at 6’ 5 that will give hitter problems throughout the season. Returning pitchers Preston Poznoski, Tommy Dolin, and Tim Nye hope to take that next step in development and become factors for the Generals this season. Freshman pitchers Matt Gonyea, Corey Stapleton and Josh Tucker are talented young arms that will be important parts of the rotation and bullpen this year.  The 12 man staff is one of the deepest and most talented rotations Herkimer has had.

 Herkimer’s offense will be young but very talented. Leading the lineup will be returning starting centerfielder Keith Hendricks. Hendricks who hit .434 with 12 doubles, 4 triples, 2 homeruns, 35 runs batted in and 15 stolen bases will be the rock in the middle of the lineup. Protecting Hendricks in the lineup will be Class A Player of the Year Chris Massar. Hitting in front of Hendricks will be high school standout shortstop Ty Folli.  Ty and second baseman Ben Brady are a very impressive young infield combination who turn heads in practice with their glove quickness and strong arms. Along with Massar, Folli and Brady in the infield will be sophomore Nick Testa at first base. Nate Sanzo, Josh Brown, and Brett Pendorf will look to crack the lineup and provide depth in the infield.

After a key injury to catching standout Ryan Davidson, catching duties will fall to freshman Parker Umbra. The Class C All State player is a talented receiver with a very strong arm behind the plate.  Backing up Umbra will be freshman Ron Patterson who will move from his starting left field position when needed.

The outfield will be patrolled by Hendricks, Patterson and sophomore Dan Wood who missed most of the year with an injury last season after posting strong numbers early. Freshman Steve Campbell (6’ 6) will also play outfield when he is not in his designated hitter position. Ambiorix Truinfel, Nick Bloom, and Luke Barhydt will provide depth in the outfield as well.

Herkimer begins their season March 14 against Frederick CC (#6 ranked team in Division II) in Maryland. Herkimer will finish the spring trip with friendly rival Montgomery College at Germantown, Collegiate Baseball Magazine’s #7 ranked team in Division III.