MAY 2 — Leafs Conclude Season With Two Losses At Indiana Tech
Hisner and Keister finish outstanding offensive seasons

Freshman Erik Hisner Sophomore Josh Keister

Fort Wayne, IN — Goshen lost its final two games of the season Thursday, dropping 1-11 and 1-12 decisions at 10th-ranked Indiana Tech.

“I’ve got the utmost respect for the program here at Tech,” said Brent Hoober, Goshen head coach. “I love to play them, because they represent where we are headed. The best is yet to come for Goshen baseball.”

Despite the two defeats to finish up the year, the Leafs found plenty of positives to build upon for the upcoming seasons. Freshman Erik Hisner concluded the season with an overall batting average of .441, which sets a new Goshen College single-season record. Hisner also recorded seven home runs on the year, which ties him for sixth in single-season history. His 10 doubles ties him at seventh in the record books.

Sophomore Josh Keister also had a fabulous year, setting the new Goshen single-season mark for doubles at 13. He recorded 41 hits, two home runs and 21 RBI. He finished the year batting .373.

“Again, Erik and Josh are two great examples of the direction we are headed, both on the field and off,” Hoober said. “They are two quality young men who have a very bright future wearing a Goshen uniform.”

On Thursday, the offense was sparse, however, as the Leafs managed only eight hits for the double-header. In Game 1, Freshman Joel Johnson knocked in the lone RBI on a solo home run in the top of the third inning. Hisner was 1-2 with a double, as Johnson (0-4) took the loss on the mound.

In the second contest, Goshen got an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second, but it was short-lived. Tech scored two runs in the bottom of that inning, and then went off for five runs in both the fifth and sixth innings. Freshman Josh Snyder (2-7) recorded the loss pitching, while Hisner, senior Andrew Foster, junior Chris Jesensky and freshman Brad Miller each had a single to lead the offensive charge in Game 2.

Goshen finishes the 2002 season with an overall record of 7-27, and an Mid-Central Collegiate Conference mark of 6-22.

Super season: Freshman Erik Hisner takes a pitch against Marian on Monday. Hisner continued his marvelous season against the Knights, going 2-5 with 2 RBI. With two games remaining in the season, Hisner stands on the verge of becoming Goshen’s single-season record-holder in both RBI and batting average.

Goshen, IN — Playing in its final home games of the 2002 season Monday, Goshen fell to Marian by 1-13 and 2-8 counts to end Mid-Central Collegiate Conference play.

Goshen (7-25, 6-22) put itself in a tough situation in the first affair, trailing by six runs before even stepping to the plate. The game was called after five innings due to the 10-run rule, as the Leafs could manage just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Freshman Joel Johnson (0-3) took the loss on the mound in Game 1. The Leafs were led offensively by sophomore catcher Matt Walker, who was 1-2 in just his third game back from a broken wrist. Freshman Erik Hisner continued his incredible season, knocking in the lone Leaf run in Game 1 while going 1-2 as well.

In the second contest, Goshen was much more competitive, coming back from two runs down to tie the game going into the fourth inning. Sophomore Jason Booth (1-4) then had some difficulties on the mound, giving up six runs to the Knights in the fourth and fifth innings. Senior Pete Gaff came in as relief for Booth, and was untouchable. Marian did not score again, but neither could Goshen.

Gaff added some punch at the plate as well in Game 2, going 2-3 with an RBI, while Hisner went 1-3 with an RBI.

With two games remaining in the season, Hisner is on pace to break the Goshen single-season record for batting average, and has a chance to break the single-season RBI mark. His current batting average (.443) is nine points better than the current record of .434 held by Doug Gerber (1985). Hisner also has knocked in 40 RBI on the season, just four behind the current single-season record of 44 held by Kyle Longacre (1995). Hisner currently holds third place for RBI in a season, just one behind Phil Kym (1988) with 41.

“Erik has had a tremendous season,” said Goshen head coach Brent Hoober. “Being only a freshman, it is very exciting to think of the future he has here.”

Goshen will conclude its season with a trip to Indiana Tech on Thursday. The Leafs will play two seven-inning contests, with the first beginning at 3:30 p.m.

APR. 26 — Keister Breaks School Record At Tri-State
Leafs fall to Thunder 6-11 in nine-inning affair

Sophomore Josh Keister Freshman Erik Hisner

Angola, IN — While Goshen couldn’t grab a win at Tri-State on Friday, it was still a record setting day for the Leafs baseball program.

Sophomore Josh Keister belted his 13th double of the year against the Thunder, thus becoming the new owner of the single season record at Goshen for doubles. Keister takes over the 14-year old record of 12 shared by three players, all with four games remaining in this season.

Soon joining Keister in the record books could be freshman Erik Hisner. Hisner went 4-5 against Tri-State with a home run and a double, knocking in 4 RBI. That production places his season batting average at .446 with only four games to play. The current single-season batting average record is .434 held by Doug Gerber (1985).

“Erik and Josh are having phenomenal seasons,” said Brent Hoober, Goshen head coach. “You do not often see a freshman and sophomore hit college pitching like they have been all year. I cannot say enough good things about these two individuals. They are perfect examples of the direction our program is headed on and off the field. Building a program around two talents like Josh and Erik make it exciting to think about the potential for success in the near future.”

It wasn’t a lack of offense that doomed Goshen (7-23, 6-20) on Friday. The Leafs smacked out 13 hits against Tri-State, scoring six runs, four of which came in the first two innings. Unfortunately, Tri-State was even more efficient. The Thunder’s 16 hits led to 11 runs, as junior Chris Jesensky (3-5) took the loss on the moun. Tri-State came back from being down 4-6, after catching fire and scoring five runs in the bottom of the seventh. Goshen also did not help its cause by committing four errors on the afternoon.

Freshman Josh Snyder provided more help at the plate for Goshen, going 2-5 with a solo home run. Freshman Joel Johnson was 2-4 on the day, while freshman Kenan Miller knocked out the first two hits of his career, going 2-4.

Goshen will host conference foe Marian on Monday for a double-header slated to begin at 1 p.m. That day and time will serve as a make-up date for Saturday’s originally scheduled time. The Saturday double-dip with the Knights was postponed until Monday due to rain.

APR. 25 — Marian's Offense Too Much For Leafs
Knights crank out 23 hits in taking two games at home

Freshman Erik Hisner

Indianapolis, IN — Giving up a total 23 hits on the day, Goshen lost a pair of contests at conference foe Marian on Thursday, losing the first game by a 1-7 count and the second by a 2-9 margin.

Junior Geoff Buchholz (0-3) took the loss in Game 1 while freshman Josh Snyder (2-6) was saddled with the Game 2 defeat.

In the first affair, the Leafs put no runs on the board until the top of the seventh inning, when freshman Erik Hisner blasted a solo home run. Hisner was 2-3 in the first game, while senior Andrew Foster was 1-3 with a double.

In the second game, Goshen (7-22, 6-20) got off early, scoring a run in the first inning while setting the tone. Buchholz was a tear on the basepaths, stealing two bases while going 2-4 from the plate. Senior Pete Gaff was 3-3 in the second tilt, knocking out a double and garnering an RBI. Foster was 1-3 and had a stolen base.

After the pair of games, Hisner had raised his team leading batting average to .25 with eight doubles, six homers and 34 RBI on the season.

Goshen will travel to Tri-State for a nine inning contest on Friday before resuming its series with Marian on Saturday. The Tri-State game will take place at 2 p.m. Goshen will then host the Knights for a double-header beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Senior Andrew Foster

Mishawaka, IN — Two days after getting hammered by Bethel at home, Goshen traveled to Mishawaka and played much more respectably, though losing two contests by 2-10 and 2-6 scores.

In the first two games of the four-game series with the Pilots, Goshen (7-20, 6-18) gave up 33 runs off of 36 hits. In the second pair of games, however, Goshen only allowed 16 Pilot runs to cross the plate off of 19 hits. The Leafs could generate nine hits on Saturday, scoring a total four runs, and head coach Brent Hoober gave Bethel credit following the series.

“Bethel has the best pitching we’ve seen this year,” Hoober said. “We simply got beat by the overall better team in this series. Our guys are very excited about the direction our program is headed, though. These last four games were a good measuring stick for us.”

In Game 1, Goshen’s early 1-0 lead dissolved off after a heavy-hitting first three innings for the Pilots. Junior Geoff Buchholz (0-2) took the loss on the mound, after Bethel scored six runs in the first three innings. Senior Andrew Foster and freshman Erik Hisner each collected an RBI in the first game, with Hisner belting a double.

In the second game, freshman Josh Snyder (2-5) allowed Bethel only six hits — unfortunately, four of those hits were home runs.

“Josh did an excellent job on the mound for us in the second game,” Hoober said. “Josh made some great pitches and put them in the spots that we asked him to. Although, to Bethel’s credit, they still got good wood on them.”

Offensively, Buccholz finished 2-3 in the second game while freshman Brad Miller was 2-2 with a home run, 2 RBI and a run scored. Foster went 1-3 with a run scored, including some defense which earned praise from Hoober.

“We played some of our best defense of the year in the second game, which was highlighted by several outstanding plays from Foster,” Hoober said.

Freshman pitcher Joel Johnson was unable to pitch in the four game series with Bethel due to pain in his right shoulder. Johnson’s next start is scheduled for the April 27th games with Marian at home. The Leafs will travel to Marian on Thursday for a double-header. Game time is slated for 1 p.m.

APR. 18 — Bethel's Rolls Blitz Goshen
Leafs hang tough for start of both games but falter down stretches

Starting strong: Sophomore Jason Booth fires strikes earlly in the first game against Bethel on Thursday. Booth held the Pilots scoreless until the fifth inning, when the visitors scored five runs.

Goshen, IN — For the first four innings in both games of its twin-bill with Bethel on Thursday, Goshen allowed a total seven runs for the Pilots. If only the Leafs could have sustained that clip.

Bethel erupted for a combined 26 runs in the second halves of the pair of contests, leaving Goshen (7-18, 6-16) in the wake of its worst defeats of the year, 3-11 and 4-22 losses.

“Be patient with us,” Goshen head coach Brent Hoober told the media following the day’s games. “There will be better baseball in the near future.”

Goshen led Game 1 by a 2-0 score before Bethel took the lead after scoring five runs in the top of the fifth inning. The Pilots would add on an additional six in that game, with three runs coming in both the sixth and seventh innings.

Goshen was led by senior Pete Gaff’s two run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning, which gave Goshen its only lead of the game. Senior Andrew Foster was 2-3 while freshman Brandon Betz went 1-2 with a stolen base.

The second game proved more of the same for the Leafs, which again led to start. A 1-0 lead was shattered when Bethel collected five runs in the top of the third inning, which was followed by at least one run scored in each of the following innings. With the score a decent 9-4 lead in favor of the Pilots, Bethel went off for an amazing 13-run top of the seventh.

Sophomore Josh Keister was 2-4 in the second game with a homer and 2 RBI. Freshman Erik Hisner also went 2-4 with a home run and an RBI.

Sophomore Jason Booth (1-2) was credited with the Game 1 loss on the mound despite starting the game with a tremendous first four innings, holding Bethel scoreless. Junior Chris Jesensky (3-4) was saddled with the Game 2 loss.

Goshen will have a chance to redeem itself just two days later — the Leafs travel to Bethel for a double-header on Saturday. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

Junior Geoff Buchholz Sophomore Josh Keister

Upland, IN — Despite pounding out 26 hits in a twin-bill at Taylor Tuesday, Goshen lost two games to the Trojans by 8-16 and 7-9 scores.

“Our problem is what we have been dealing with all year,” said Brent Hoober, Goshen head coach. “We cannot stop anyone else from scoring.”

Goshen (7-16, 6-14) had an 8-6 lead in Game 1 before a nine run outburst by the Trojans in the bottom of the sixth put the game well out of reach. The giving away of games got worse in the second tilt, as the Leafs held a 7-3 advantage through five and a half innings of work only to give up six unanswered runs in falling. The second contest, in which Goshen outhit Taylor by a 14-10 count, marked the fourth time this season the Leafs have outhit an opponent and still lost.

“This proves the old saying correct, ‘baseball is won with good pitching and defense,'” Hoober said. “We are one or two pitchers away from being a totally different team.”

Senior Pete Gaff (1-2) took the Game 1 loss while freshman Josh Snyder (2-4) was saddled with the Game 2 defeat.

Goshen gave up 26 hits as well on the day, and committed five errors compared to Taylor’s one.

Offensively, the Leafs had plenty of performers. Junior Geoff Buchholz was 3-4 in Game 1 with a stolen base and a run scored. Sophomore Josh Keister went 2-2 with two walks, an RBI and two runs scored. Freshman Erik Hisner was 2-4 with two doubles, 3 RBI and a run scored. Gaff also produced at the plate, going 2-4 with 2 RBI, a stolen base and a run scored.

In Game 2, Buchholz was 2-4 with a double and a runs scored, while Snyder was a perfect 4-4, scoring two runs, netting an RBI and hitting a double. Keister was 2-2 with another pair of walks, 2 RBI and a run scored. Gaff finished the second contest 2-4 while freshman Brad Miller was 2-3 with an RBI.

Hisner and Keister have continued to hit the ball extremely well this season, with Hisner batting at a .448 clip while Keister has produced a .447 batting average. In last Thursday’s game at Indiana Wesleyan, Keister became just the fourth player in Goshen College history to get 12 doubles in a single season.

Goshen will host Bethel on Thursday. The double-header is slated to begin at 1 p.m.

Gone: Freshman Erik Hisner belts a home run in the first game against Indiana Wesleayn on Saturday. Hisner went 3-4 in the Leafs' loss.

Goshen, IN — After a day that started with an emotional scoreboard dedication to a former Goshen College baseball player, the current squad could not overcome a hungry Indiana Wesleyan team and lost two games by 3-5 and 4-12 scores.

The scoreboard dedication, which was given in memory of Craig Springer, took place immediately prior to Game 1. To read about the ceremony and Springer, click here.

Goshen (7-14, 6-12) came back dramatically in the first game after being down by three runs in the sixth inning. Sophomore Josh Keister singled to start off the bottom of the sixth, and was knocked in by a two-run homer by freshman Erik Hisner. Senior Pete Gaff batted next in the lineup and followed suit — sending a towering shot over the wall to tie the game at three runs apiece in a matter of seconds.

“We did a good job of battling back,” said Brent Hoober, Goshen head coach. “We had a whole new ball game.”

After the Wildcats retired the inning, the team scored on a suicide squeeze play in the top of the eight that gave them the lead for good.

“It (the squeeze play) was outstanding execution by IWU,” said Hoober. “It gave them back the lead but more importantly the momentum.”

Hisner led the offensive charge in Game 1, going 3-4 with the aforementioned home run and a double. He also knocked in two and scored himself. Freshman Josh Snyder was 2-4 with a stolen base.

In the second game, the Leafs’ hot start could not carry over into the thick of the game. Freshman Joel Johnson started on the mound, giving up no hits in the first three innings of play. Goshen, behind that strong effort from Johsnon, led 2-0 after three. Things changed in the fourth inning however, as the Wildcats put together 11 runs in three innings of work. The Leafs could not respond, garnering only two additional runs in the bottom of the sixth.

“Joel had his best outing of the year today,” Hoober said. “Every time Joel steps on the mound he gets better. For the first three innings Joel pitched up to his potential and was untouchable. It is exciting to think about the kind of future he has ahead of him.”

Snyder and Keister again led the way for the Leafs at the plate, with Snyder going 1-2 with a run scored and Keister going 1-3 with a double and a run scored. On the season, Hisner is batting .458, has hit four home runs, 4 doubles and has 25 RBI. Keister is batting .417, has hit two homers, 12 doubles and has 16 RBI. Snyder has a slugging percentage of .729 while Keister’s is .667.

Junior Chris Jesensky (3-3) was saddled with the Game 1 loss on the mound while Johnson (0-2) took the second loss.
Goshen travels to Taylor on Tuesday for a make-up rain date. The double-header will begin at 1 p.m.

APR. 11 — Leafs Split First Two Of Four With Wesleyan
Goshen unloads 17 hits while in Marion

Junior Geoff Buchholz Senior Pete Gaff

Marion, IN — After dropping a heartbreaking 7-8 loss in Thursday’s first game with Indiana Wesleyan, Goshen was sure not to let the second get away in a 7-4 beating of the Wildcats.

Goshen hammered out a total 17 hits on the day, and was in position to win both contests. In Game 1, key errors late sealed a Wildcat comeback. Junior Geoff Buchholz (0-1) was saddled with the loss, although head coach Brent Hoober said that Buchholz did all he was asked.

“Geoff was doing exactly what was asked of him (in the first game),” Hoober said. “He was throwing strikes and making the IWU hitters put the ball in play. Buck pitched well enough to win today, we just didn’t make the plays in the field to reward him.”

The Leafs finished the first game with three errors and had a 7-6 lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Wildcats scored after Goshen committed two of those errors in that inning.

Sophomore Josh Keister was 2-4 with a double and an RBI. He also scored. Senior Pete Gaff was 1-3 with a double and a run scored. Freshman Brad Miller was 2-3 with 2 RBI and a run scored.

In Game 2, Goshen used an all-around solid effort in taking the 7-4 decision. Sophomore Jason Booth gave up only two runs in four innings of work, while freshman Josh Snyder (2-3) took over in the fifth inning in gaining the win on the mound.

“Senior shortstop Andrew Foster made a couple of outstanding plays and we came up with som
e clutch two out hits,” Hoober said.

Goshen (7-12, 6-10) trailed 2-4 going into the sixth inning before exploding for three runs. They added on an additional two in the top of the seventh to put the game away. Buchholz this time performed well on offense, delivering 2 runs on 3-4 from the plate. Gaff finished with 2 RBI and scored a run with a 2-4 performance. Junior Chris Jesensky was 1-3 with a double and 2 RBI.

Goshen will host Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday. The double-header will begin at 1 p.m.