2012 Norwich Baseball

CreditsThe 2012 Norwich baseball media guide is an official publica-

tion of the Norwich University Sports Information Office. The

guide was written, edited and designed by Matthew Albury.

Photography supplied by Jordan Silverman & Jay Ericson.

2012 Norwich University

Baseball SeniorsL to R: Devin Robbins, Don DiBastiani, Seth Knihtila, Corey Shearer, Alexzandro Cardoza, Joe Sleeman,

Head Coach John Rhoades.

Table of Contents

About Norwich University ..........................................4

Athletic Department Staff ...........................................4

Head Coach John Rhoades ..........................................5

Norwich Coaching Staff .............................................6

2012 Season Preview...........................................7-8

2012 Norwich Roster .....................................................9

Meet Your 2012 Cadets .........................................10-12

Quick Facts

Location .................................................Northfield, Vt.

Nickname ...........................................................Cadets

Colors ..................................................Maroon & Gold

Affiliation .......................................NCAA Division III

Conference .........................................................GNAC

President ....................................Dr. Richard Schneider

Dean of Student Affairs .........................Martha Mathis

Athletic Director ...............................Anthony Mariano

Head Athletic Trainer ............................David Botelho

Equipment Manager .................................Scott Mullen

Baseball Information

Head Coach .............................................John Rhoades

Assistant Coaches ..................Bob Cutler, Bill Russell,

David Scarchilli

Team Captains ......Jonathan Philbrook, Corey Shearer,

Dustin Shimkus

Home Field (capacity) .......................Garrity Field (500)

Sports Information

Sports Information Director .....................Mark Adkins

Adkins’ Direct Line ..............................802-485-2061

Adkins’ Email .........................madkins@norwich.edu

Primary Baseball Contact ..........................Matt Albury

Albury’s Direct Line .................................802-485-2241

2012 Norwich Baseball

3

2012 ScheduleDate Opponent Time/Result

Mar. 11 Valley City St. (N.D.)# 5 p.m.

Mar. 12 Dakota Wesleyan# 1 p.m.

Mar. 13 Illinois Tech# 2 p.m.

Mar. 15 Dickinson St. (N.D.)# 1 p.m.

Mar. 16 Dickinson St. (N.D.)# 1 p.m.

Calvin# 9 p.m.

Mar. 17 Wis.-Superior# 1 p.m.

Mar. 21 at MCLA 3:30 p.m.

Mar. 23 at Salem St. 3 p.m.

Mar. 24 at Clark (Mass.) 12 p.m.

at Clark (Mass.) 2:30 p.m.

Mar. 25 at Castleton St. 2 p.m.

at Castleton St. 5 p.m.

Mar. 27 at Plattsburgh St. 3 p.m

Mar. 29 at Southern Vermont 3 p.m.

Mar. 31 at Lasell* TBA

at Lasell* TBA

Apr. 1 at Johnson & Wales (R.I.)* 1 p.m.

at Johnson & Wales (R.I.)* 3 p.m.

Apr. 3 DANIEL WEBSTER 2 p.m.

DANIEL WEBSTER 4 p.m.

Apr. 4 LYNDON ST. 3 p.m.

Apr. 6 at Lesley 7 p.m.

Apr. 9 at Plymouth St. 4 p.m.

Apr. 11 ALBERTUS MAGNUS* 2 p.m.

ALBERTUS MAGNUS* 4:30 p.m.

Apr. 14 at Rivier* 1 p.m.

at Rivier* 3:30 p.m.

Apr. 15 at Anna Maria* 12 p.m.

at Anna Maria* 2:30 p.m.

Apr. 18 SAINT JOSEPH’S (Me.)* 2 p.m.

SAINT JOSEPH’S (Me.)* 4:30 p.m.

Apr. 19 ST. MICHAEL’S 4 p.m.

Apr. 21 EMERSON* 1 p.m.

EMERSON* 3:30 p.m.

Apr. 22 SUFFOLK* 1 p.m.

SUFFOLK* 3:30 p.m

Apr. 24 GNAC First Round TBA

Apr. 27 GNAC Quarterfinals TBA

Apr. 28 GNAC Semifinals TBA

Apr. 29 GNAC Finals TBA

Home games in BOLD CAPS

# at Tucson, Arizona (gametimes eastern)

* Indicates GNAC contest

About Norwich University

Notable AlumniGen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA (Ret.) ’59

US Army Chief of Staff, 1991-95

Pierson G. Mapes ’59

Former President, NBC Television

Douglas M. McCracken ’70

Former CEO, Deloitte Consulting

Brig. Gen Jesus A. Manguel, USA ’59

Chief Operating Officer,

National Industries for the Blind

Maj. Gen. Russell Todd, USA ’50

President Emeritus, Norwich Univ.

William N. Preismeyer ’67

CEO, Cymbet Corporation;

Former CFO, Jostens, Inc.

Jay. S. Witzel ’70

President & CEO, Carlson Hotels

Emily Caruso ’00

Member, U.S. Shooting Team for

2004 & 2008 Olympic Games

Allen Doyle ’71

Two-time U.S. Senior Open

Champion

Athletics DirectoryDirector of Intercollegiate Athletics:

Tony Mariano 485-2230

Associate Director of Athletics:

TBA

Administrative Assistant:

Cathy Diego 485-2230

Sports Information Director:

Mark Adkins 485-2160

Assoc: Charlie Crosby 485-2011

Asst: Derek Dunning 485-2902

Intern: Matt Albury 485-2241

Head Athletic Trainer:

David Botelho, ATC 485-2236

Asst: Kristen Scott, ATC 485-2236

Asst: Joe Martinez, ATC 485-2236

Asst: Nicole Therrien ATC 485-2236

Strength & Conditioning Coach:

Jeff Kruger 485-2693

Equipment Manager:

Scott Mullen 485-2247Asst: Brent Maxfield 485-2247

Varsity CoachesBaseball: John Rhoades 485-2238

Men’s Basketball: Paul Booth 485-2239

Women’s Basketball: Mark Zacher 485-2229

Cross Country: Nick Cooper 485-2272

Football: Mark Murnyack 485-2233

Men’s Ice Hockey: Mike McShane 485-2242

Women’s Ice Hockey: Mark Bolding485-2302

Men’s Lacrosse: Neal Anderson 485-2592

Women’s Lacrosse: Beth Van Parys 485-2847

Men’s Rugby: Bob Weggler 485-2237

Women’s Rugby: Austin Hall 485-2921

Men’s Soccer: Kyle Dezotell 485-2240

Women’s Soccer: Beth Van Parys 485-2847

Softball: Greg McGrath 485-2121

Swimming & Diving: Laura Dunn 485-2241

Men’s Tennis: Kyle Dezotell 485-2240

Volleyball: Ashlynn Nuckols 485-2590

Wrestling: John Hartupee 485-2248

Founded in 1819 by Captain Aldridge

Partridge, Norwich University is nestled

in the Green Mountains in Northfield,

Vermont. Norwich is the nation’s oldest

private military college.

Today Norwich University offers edu-

cational opportunities for both undergrad-

uate and graduate students. The

undergraduate experience offers a choice

of being in the Corps of Cadets or as a

civilian student. Both lifestyles are inte-

grated within the classroom, athletic

teams and student organizations.

Norwich’s undergraduate student pop-

ulation of 2200 hail from 40 different

states and 20 foreign countries. Eighty-

one percent of the 157 faculty hold termi-

nal degrees. Norwich boasts a student to

faculty ratio of 14:1 and is proud of its

long tradition of excellence in teaching

and personal attention given to students.

Thirty academic programs, including

a teacher/education licensure program,

and four ROTC programs are offered.

Norwich is the birthplace of the ROTC

program due to the innovative educa-

tional methods of Alden Partridge.

As an NCAA Division III school, the

University sponsors varsity athletic com-

petition in men’s and women’s ice

hockey, football, men’s and women’s bas-

ketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s

and women’s cross country, baseball,

softball, men’s and women’s lacrosse,

women’s volleyball, wrestling, men’s ten-

nis and men’s and women’s swimming

and diving, as well as men’s and women’s

rugby.

On campus Norwich offers 80 clubs

and organizations including academic and

professional societies, special interest

clubs and a range of religious, military

and community service organizations.

Under its School of Graduate Studies,

Norwich offers 10 online graduate de-

grees at the Master’s level and one certifi-

cate program. Enrollment in the graduate

school is 1200 students.

Norwich University is located in

Northfield, Vt., just 15 miles from Mont-

pelier, the state capital.

4

Head Coach John Rhoades

John Rhoades enters his seventh season as the head baseball coach at Norwich University inthe spring of 2012. Rhoades also serves as the offensive coordinator for the NU football team.

In 2010, Rhoades oversaw a Cadets team that qualified for the Great Northeast Athletic Con-ference (GNAC) Tournament for the first time since 2005.

Prior to coaching collegiately, Rhodes was an assistant coach at Windsor (Vt.) High Schoolfrom 1996-98. He also served as the head coach of the Hartford (Vt.) American Legion teamin the summer of 1996.

As a football coach, Rhoades has made stops at Plymouth State, his alma mater New Hampshire and BowdoinCollege.

Rhoades earned a degree in Physical Education from the University of New Hampshire in 1993.

Rhoades resides in Northfield with his wife, Annette, and their daughter, Ashlyn. He enjoys playing golf andspending time with his family.

5

John Rhoades (New Hampshire ‘93)

Rhoades enters his seventh season at the helm of the Norwich program.

Col. David J. Scarchilli (RET) enters his third season assisting with the Norwich baseball team in2011.

A native of Utica, N.Y., Scarchilli received a commission in the U.S. Army through the NorwichUniversity Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program following his graduation from Nor-wich in 1981. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education during his time atNU.

Scarchilli also holds a Master of Arts degree in Business Management from Webster University(St Louis, Mo.) as well as a Master’s degree in Strategic Resource Management from the Industrial

College of the Armed Forces (Washington, D.C.). His military education includes the U.S. Army Command and GeneralStaff College (resident) and the National Defense University (resident).

After more than 25 years on active duty, Scarchilli settled with his family in Tampa, Fla., where he was an Army JROTCInstructor before becoming the Director of Army Instruction in Hillsborough County.

Once a Cadet, always a Cadet, Scarchilli accepted the position of Assistant Commandant of Cadets at his alma materin August 2009. He presently serves as the Staff Principal Advisor to the Cadet 3rd (Rook) Battalion.

Col. Scarchilli is married to the former Christine Nelson. The couple resides in Northfield with their son, Frank. Thefamily thoroughly enjoys the four seasons and being a part of the Norwich community.

David Scarchilli - Assistant Coach

2012 will be Bob Cutler's first year with the coaching staff at Norwich University.

While at the University of Maine, Bob transitioned from playing to coaching, taking classeson sport specifics and volunteering at camps, clinics and local schools.

After college, Cutler worked at a Baseball Training Center outside of Boston where he wasquickly promoted to Director of Player Development working with former University ofMaine coaches developing a standard for which all players would be coached and howcoaches would instruct. While in this position, Bob has the opportunity to work with playersfrom Little League to the professional ranks.

Bob resides with his family in Fayston, Vt. When not coaching, watching or talking about baseball he enjoys golf-ing and traveling with his family. Bob considers himself an avid fan of all sports and competitions.

Bob Cutler - Assistant Coach

2011 marks Bill Russell's fourth season as an assistant coach of the Norwich University base-ball team. Russell also serves as the inside linebackers coach and special teams coordinatorfor the football team.

Before coaching, Russell played varsity baseball at Kennebunk (Maine) High School. Heserved as team captain his senior year.

Russell played four years of college football at Mount Ida, serving as a team captain duringhis senior season of 2004.

Russell, who graduated from Mount Ida in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in Child Development, was on theMustangs football coaching staff from 2005-08 before moving on to Norwich in the fall of that year.

Russell and his wife Deanna reside in Northfield with Hudson (6), Lydia (4), and baby daughter Darby. Thefamily has two dogs, Tebow and Keisha. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing and watching Boston Red Soxbaseball. He is also an avid Florida Gators fan.

Bill Russell - Assistant Coach

Norwich Coaching Staff

6

For the second straight year the Norwich University baseball team heads out to Arizona to start its season. The

team will open the 2012 season Sunday, Mar. 11, when it takes on National Association of Intercollegiate Ath-

letics (NAIA) school Valley City State.

During their time out west the Cadets will play six teams over seven days including four NAIA schools (Valley

City State, Dakota Wesleyan, Illinois Tech, Dickinson State) and two NCAA schools (Calvin and Wisconsin-Su-

perior).

"On this year's trip we will be looking to see how the new off and preseason workouts have improved the play-

ers' performance," said head coach John Rhoades. "We want to see the players improve daily and gain valuable

playing experience as well as compete while playing against some very good teams.

"Being able to play non-league games against good competition is great for the players and coaches. The people

at Tuscon Invitational Games out in Arizona did a great job meeting our needs with competitive games and

quality practice time."

The Cadets will look to junior third baseman/outfielder Dustin Shimkus (Collinsville, Ill./Metro East Lutheran)

to once again pace the team offensively. Shimkus is coming off a strong sophomore campaign in which he was

named to the Great Northeast Athletic Team (GNAC) second team for the second straight year.

Shimkus led Norwich at the plate in 2011 with team-highs in batting average (.337), slugging percentage (.500),

RBIs (13), at-bats (86), total bases (43), doubles (seven) and home runs (one). He also ranked second on the

squad in on-base percentage (.383), runs scored (13) and triples (two).

"It is very important to have a consistent bat (.361 career batting average) like Dustin's in the lineup," stated

Rhoades. "I believe that any coach we compete against would want to have Dustin (in his lineup)."

Other key bats in the Norwich lineup include senior infielder Joe Sleeman (Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena) and

sophomores Devin Cilley (Tunbridge, Vt./South Royalton) and Charles Schaub (East Hampton, Conn./East

Hampton).

Sleeman is coming off a strong junior campaign in which he bat-

ted .235 with five RBIs and a triple. Cilley hit .269, the third

highest batting average on the team, while tying for second in

RBIs (nine), doubles (four) and third in triples (one) in his first

year of collegiate baseball. Schaub also had a solid freshman

slate in which he batted .220, drove in seven runs and recorded

two doubles.

"If Sleeman can have a breakout senior year and Cilley and

Schaub continue to improve from their freshman season, I think

we will have a good offense," said Rhoades.

Three veterans will look to anchor the starting rotation in senior

Alexandro Cardoza (Cicero, Ill./Cristo Rey Jesuit) and juniors

Brad Hudson (Eugene, Oregon/South Eugene) and Jonathan

Philbrook (Rochester, Mass./Old Colony).

2012 Season Preview

Senior INF Joe Sleeman

7

In addition sophomore Craig Leverone (Lexington, Mass./Minuteman

Technical) will look to challenge for a starting job. Senior Don DiBas-

tiani (White Hall, Md./North Hartford) could see spot duty as a starter as

well as coming out of the bullpen. The relief corps also contains juniors

Ben Kleiner (Cheshire, Mass./Cheshire) and Ryan Williams (Plano,

Texas/Prestonwood Christian) and freshman Brandon Place (Concord,

N.H./Concord).

"I'm expecting our pitching staff to step up and improve daily by throw-

ing strikes, reducing walks and hit batsman and competing to allow us to

stay in games," said Rhoades.

The infield looks to have Shimkus at third, Cilley at short, Sleeman at

second with Cardoza and senior Seth Knihtila (Westminster, Mass./Oak-

mont Regional) splitting time at first base. Sleeman will slide to third

when Shimkus is in the outfield with senior Corey Shearer (Montague,

Mass./Turners Falls) or junior J.J. Losco (Wakefield, Mass./Wakefield) taking over at second. Senior Devin

Robbins (Monmouth, Maine/Monmouth Academy) adds depth to the middle infield.

The competition to hold down the spot behind the plate is a three-way battle between junior Stephen Beardsley

(Olney, Md./Washington Christian) and freshmen Jordan Britton (Haverhill, Mass./Whittier Technical) and Brad

Crickard (Stafford, N.H./Coe Brown Northwood). Britton could also see some time at first.

"I believe we have solid depth in the infield with three players competing at catcher and first base as well as two

players each at second, shortstop and third."

The outfield will see Schaub, Philbrook, Place and sophomores Scott Yashinski (Kintnersville, Pa./Palisades)

and Nicholas Gendron (Alstead, N.H./Vermont Academy) all in the mix for playing time.

"We don't have as much depth at the outfield positions," said Rhoades. "I believe the players we do have at

those positions are more than capable."

Rhoades has been extremely happy with the enthusiasm and effort the team has shown in the offseason in

preparation for this year's campaign under the stewardship of team captains Philbrook, Shimkus and Shearer.

"I'm very pleased with the leadership of the three captains during the offseason and preseason," he said. "They

have been great examples both on and off the field. They've set high standards for the team and are holding

everyone accountable to that standard."

Norwich's first home action is not scheduled until Tuesday, Apr. 3, when they host Daniel Webster at Garrity

Field for a doubleheader, weather permitting. The opening pitch for the first game is set for 2 p.m.

2012 Season Preview

Senior RHP/1B Alexandro Cardoza

Cardoza, a lefthander, notched 15 strikeouts over 22 innings of work a season ago. Hudson is coming off a

gritty effort in his final start of 2011 in which he went 6.2 innings giving up five hits and only two earned runs

in a 4-3 loss to GNAC regular-season and tournament champion Saint Joseph's (Maine). Philbrook recorded 17

strikeouts in 19.2 innings last year.

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2012 Norwich Roster

2012 NORWICH BASEBALL NUMERICAL ROSTERNo. Name Cl. Pos. B/T Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School1 Corey Shearer Sr. INF R/R 5-10 200 Montague, Mass./Turner Falls2 Ben Kleiner Jr. RHP R/R 5-8 160 Cheshire, Mass./Hoosac Valley3 Joe Sleeman Sr. INF R/R 5-6 172 Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena4 Jonathan Philbrook Jr. RHP/OF R/R 6-0 184 Rochester, Mass./Old Colony6 Devin Cilley So. RHP/INF R/R 5-11 172 Tunbridge, Vt./South Royalton8 Devin Robbins Sr. INF R/R 5-8 155 Monmouth, Maine/Monmouth Acad.9 Charles Schaub So. OF R/R 5-9 162 East Hampton, Conn./East Hampton11 Stephen Beardsley Jr. C R/R 5-9 210 Olney, Md./Wash. Christian Acad.12 Brad Crickard Fr. C/OF R/R 5-9 180 Stafford, N.H./Coe Brown Northwood14 Dustin Shimkus Jr. OF R/R 6-1 181 Collinsville, Ill./Metro East Lutheran15 Brad Hudson Jr. RHP R/R 5-8 170 Eugene, Ore./South Eugene16 Alexandro Cardoza Sr. LHP/1B L/L 5-7 181 Cicero, Ill./Cristo Rey Jesuit18 Scott Yashinski So. OF R/R 6-0 178 Kintnersville, Pa./Palisades19 Nicholas Gendron So. OF L/L 6-1 210 Alstead, N.H./Vermont Academy20 Seth Knihtila Sr. RHP/1B R/R 6-0 210 Westminster, Mass./Oakmont Region.21 Brandon Place Fr. RHP/OF R/R 5-9 176 Concord, N.H./Concord24 J.J. Losco Jr. INF R/R 5-6 166 Wakefield, Mass./Wakefield25 Jordan Britton Fr. C/1B R/R 6-0 218 Haverhill, Mass./Whittier Technical26 Don DiBastiani Sr. RHP R/R 5-11 179 White Hall, Md./North Hartford28 Craig Leverone So. RHP R/R 5-8 246 Lexington, Mass./Minuteman Tech.29 Ryan Williams Jr. RHP R/R 6-2 172 Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian

Head Coach: John Rhoades (New Hampshire ‘93), 7th seasonAssistant Coaches: Bob Cutler, Bill Russell, David ScarchilliStrength & Conditioning: Jeff KrugerAthletic Trainer: Kristen Scott

9

2012 Norwich Baseball Team

10

Meet Your 2012 Cadets

4Jonathan PhilbrookJuniorRHP6-0, 184Rochester, Mass.Old Colony

14Dustin ShimkusJuniorOutfield6-1, 181Collinsville, Ill.Metro East Lutheran

1Corey ShearerSeniorShortstop5-10, 200Montague, Mass.Turners Falls

3Joe SleemanSeniorThird Base5-6, 172Rochester, N.Y.Greece Athena

11Seth KnihtilaSeniorRHP/First Base6-0, 210Westminster, Mass.Oakmont Regional

16Alexandro CardozaSeniorLHP/First Base5-7, 181Cicero, Ill.Cristo Rey Jesuit

26Don DiBastianiSeniorRHP5-11, 179White Hall, Md.North Hartford

15Brad HudsonJuniorRHP5-8, 170Eugene, Ore.South Eugene

2Ben KleinerSophomoreRHP5-8, 160Cheshire, Mass.Cheshire

9Charles SchaubSophomoreOutfield5-9, 162East Hampton, Conn.East Hampton

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Meet Your 2012 Cadets

8Devin RobbinsSeniorInfield5-8, 155 Monmouth, MaineMonmouth Academy

11Stephen BeardsleyJuniorCatcher5-9, 210Olney, Md.Washington Christian

18Scott YashinskiSophomoreOutfield6-0, 178Kintnersville, Pa.Palisades

Brad CrickardFreshmanCatcher/Outfield5-9, 180Strafford, N.H.Coe Brown Northwood

12

21Brandon PlaceFreshmanRHP/Outfield5-9, 176Concord, N.H.Concord

19Nicholas GendronSophomoreOutfield6-1, 210Alstead, N.H.Vermont Academy

21Devin CilleySophomoreRHP/Util.5-11, 172Tunbridge, Vt.South Royalton

24J.J. LoscoJunorInfield5-6, 166 Wakefield, Mass.Wakefield

25Jordan BrittonFreshmanCatcher/1B6-0, 218Haverhill, Mass.Whittier Technical

28Craig LeveroneSophomoreRHP5-8, 246 Lexington, Mass.Minuteman Technical

12

Meet Your 2012 Cadets

29Ryan WilliamsJuniorRHP6-2, 172Plano, TexasPrestonwood Christian

2012 NORWICHBASEBALL