The Whitman men faced Menlo College in Atherton, Calif. last weekend for a four game non-conference series. After two losses on Saturday and another on Sunday, the Missionaries ended the trip with their fifth victory of the season, blasting the Oaks for a 15-7 win.
In the lone victory of the weekend, junior Erik Korsmo had four hits out of five at-bats and was also responsible for a lead-off home run in a second inning that saw five more runs from an unstoppable Whitman offense. Singles by seniors Blaine Mercado, Jason Sease and first-year Justin Weeks in addition to senior Mitch Hannoosh’s two-run double put the Missionaries in an unreachable lead. Junior Jay Richards’ double advanced junior Patrick Stauffer to third, while sophomore Eric Tolleson’s popped up a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring in the top of the second inning. The Missionaries managed to bat their entire line-up, as Korsmo ended things with a ground out to third.
Mercado also had a fantastic game. He proved himself on the mound, pitching yet another full game, allowing four earned runs with four strikeouts. While at the plate, he scored two runs on four hits.
With 23 total hits for Whitman in their win last Sunday, the Missionaries will finish the remainder of the season with some momentum. As the end of this season draws to a close, the transitional year that welcomed a new head coach, a new assistant coach and six first-years on the roster has shown the potential for growth for Whitman baseball.
Coach Jared Holowaty reflected on his first season at Whitman, talking about how much of a roller coaster it has been in terms of wins and losses.
“We saw a lot of success early on, but after a deceiving period of several losses in a row over the course of a few weeks it was definitely a challenge to get back up,” said Holowaty.
After the win against Menlo, the team showed similar signs as after their first victory of the season, in which they beat the University of Puget Sound after a string of close losses.
“These guys have made me a better coach. I’ve really enjoyed watching these guys improve every day, regardless of wins and losses,” said Holowaty.
Despite Whitman being last in Northwest Conference standings, Holowaty sees great strength in what has been a small roster of thirteen men who have pushed their skills over the course of the season.
“I’ve seen amazing improvements . . . with [Richards] as short stop this year,” said Holowaty, who also pointed to notable transformations he’s seen in the seniors: who are playing their last season of college baseball.
In addition to Hannoosh, Mercado and Sease, the team will part with seniors Joe Rodhouse and Brian Kitamura: all of whom were honored at the last home game at Borleske Stadium on April 18. As seniors comprise half the team, graduation marks a sad day for Whitman Baseball. However, due to Holowaty’s experience with his last job as recruitment coordinator at the University of Maine, their roster will continue to grow to a healthier number.
With the fast-approaching May 1 recruiting deadline coming up, Holowaty already has 14 commitments made by new recruits that will be joining the team next season.
For the team to build on the momentum it gained: in what has been a rebuilding year for the program: Holowaty stresses to his players the importance of continuing to playing summer ball in preparation of coming for the upcoming season.
Whitman will close out the regular season this weekend as they face Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash.
