2006 Results
Date
March
8
9
10
11
17
24
26
31
April
1
2
6
9
10
11
13
14
17
20
23
24
26
28
29
30
Opponent
Facilities
Result
Northwestern ^
City College of New York ^
Bridgewater State ^
Case Western Reserve ^
King’s *
Drew *
Drew *
FDU-Florham *
W 15-2, W 7-1
W 8-2, W 8-3
L 8-1
L 14-7
L 9-1
L 5-3
L 6-5, W 5-4
L 10-5
FDU-Florham *
King’s *
Misericordia
DeSales *
DeSales *
Susquehanna
Delaware Valley *
Delaware Valley *
Moravian
SUNY Old Westbury
Alvernia
Baptist Bible
Penn State Berks
Scranton *
Scranton *
Cazenovia
L 3-1, L 9-1
L 10-7, W 6-3
W 9-8
L 13-5, W 5-4
L 14-2
T 9-9 (11)
W 8-0
W 8-0, L 6-3
W 11-8
W 12-5
L 10-2
W 21-1
W 15-3, W 8-0
W 6-5
W 11-1, L 5-4
W 8-3, W 20-7
Recreation & Athletic Center
Completed in the Summer of 2006, the 38,000 square-foot state-ofthe-art recreation center includes three basketball courts that can be
used for volleyball and tennis; a two-lane track, high ropes course,
climbing wall, batting cage, locker facilities, and a training room.
Fitness Center
2007 Schedule
Date
March
4 Sun.
5 Mon.
6 Tue.
8 Thu.
9 Fri.
10 Sat.
16 Fri.
17 Sat.
20 Tue.
21 Wed.
23 Fri.
24 Sat.
25 Sun.
30 Fri.
31 Sat.
April
2 Mon.
5 Thu.
9 Mon.
11 Wed.
13 Fri.
14 Sat.
16 Mon.
18 Wed.
19 Thu.
22 Sun.
24 Tue.
27 Fri.
28 Sat.
May
4 Fri.
5 Sat.
6 Sun.
Opponent
Time
Site
Rivier (DH) ^
Northland (DH) ^
Baruch ^
Rivier ^
SUNY Old Westbury ^
Oneonta State ^
King’s *
King’s (DH) *
Marywood
Muhlenberg
Drew *
Drew (DH) *
Penn State Berks (DH)
FDU-Florham *
FDU-Florham (DH) *
5:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
9:00 A.M.
1:00 P.M.
10:00 A.M.
9:00 A.M.
3:30 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
3:00 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
12:00 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
Away
Away
Away
Away
Away
Away
Home
Away
Home
Home
Home
Away
Home
Away
Home
Baptist Bible
DeSales *
DeSales (DH) *
Misericordia
Delaware Valley *
Delaware Valley (DH) *
Moravian
Misericordia
Susquehanna
Alvernia
Marywood
Scranton *
Scranton (DH) *
3:30 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
Home
Away
Home
Home
Home
Away
Home
Away
Away
Home
Away
Away
Home
Freedom Tournament
Freedom Tournament
Freedom Tournament
TBA
TBA
TBA
Away
Away
Away
* Freedom Conference Game
^ at Cocoa Beach, Florida
The Fitness Center is approximately 3,000 square feet and includes
cardio equipment (6 treadmills, 5 bikes, 5 elypticals, 2 steppers),
weight equipment, Hammer Strength Free Weight Machines, Hammer Ground Based Equipment and Hammer Strength Free Weight
Benches. The cardio section of the Fitness Center features three
televisions with radio transmitters for sound with headphones.
Artillery Park
Artillery Park is one of the top ballparks in the Middle Atlantic
Conference. The field has two sets of bullpens, an outdoor batting
cage, large dugouts, and a press box that is situated directly behind
home plate. A new watering system was also installed prior to the
start of the 2002 season.
2007 Preview
Wilkes is coming off a season in which they fashioned an
overall record of 19-14-1. Despite notching their fifth consecutive
winning season, the Colonels failed to make the conference playoffs
for the first time in five years after going just 7-11 in conference play.
Juniors Chris Mayerski and Kyle Follweiler will be called upon
to lead Wilkes back to the post-season. Mayerski was a first team AllFreedom Conference selection last season after hitting .393 with 12
doubles, two triples, 10 homeruns and 43 runs batted in. He will see
time at both third base and first base this season. Follweiler hit at a
.383 clip during his sophomore campaign while patrolling left field
and spending some time on the mound. He ripped nine doubles,
three triples and seven homers, while also driving in 34 runs and
scoring a team-high 41 times.
Follweiler is one of five returnees who will be counted on to
lead the pitching staff. A year ago he appeared in seven games on
the hill and went 1-0 with two saves and a 2.08 earned run average.
Seniors Justin Popovich and John Milius, junior Brad Woznisky
and sophomore Justin Huff also return from a season ago. Popovich
appeared in two games on the mound, and did not allow a run
while striking out five. Milius fashioned a 2-1 record and 5.87 ERA
in nine appearances. Woznisky copped a 2-1 record with a solid 4.50
earned run average, while Huff was 3-1 with a 5.06 ERA.
The Colonels have several other players who figure to contribute on the hill, including junior Corey Helfrich and sophomore
Tom Buckler. Junior Keith Rhinehammer and freshmen Taylor
Megargel, Mike Brennan and Paul Bartleson, will be expected to
contribute as well.
Woznisky and senior Matt LoPresto lead a deep group of catchers who will vie for time behind the plate. Woznisky hit .353 last
season with five doubles, one homer and 20 runs batted in, while
LoPresto hit at a .324 pace with nine doubles, one triple and one
homerun. Sophomore Andrew Garofoli, junior Jordan Padams and
freshman Randy Dengler will also be in the mix.
Joining Mayerski at the corner spots in the infield will be
Popovich and freshman Mike Rollman. Popovich played in 28
games, mainly at first base, last season and finished with a .287 batting average. Rollman is capable of playing both first base and third
base if needed. Others who could see time include junior Anthony
Giuffrida, sophomores Geoff Miller and Ryan Pepper, and freshmen
Mike McAndrew, Shawn Ward and Dave Blasko.
Sophomores Eric Wetzel and Gennaro Zangardi will help Follweiler provide experience in the outfield. Wetzel started 31 games in
center field last spring and hit .227 with eight stolen bases. Zangardi
started 20 of the 28 games he played in and finished with a .261 batting average. Mayerski, Helfrich, Garofoli, Rhinehammer, Bartleson
and sophomore Ed Kamenas will also figure into the outfield mix.
WILKES UNIVERSITY
BASEBALL
BASE
BALL
2007
MEDIA GUIDE
2007 Roster
#
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
12
14
15
16
17
19
20
21
22
23
24
27
28
29
33
34
36
39
42
NAME
Eric Wetzel
Shawn Ward
Tom Buckler
Brad Woznisky
Geoff Miller
Francis Blasko
Jordan Padams
Randy Dengler
Keith Rhinehammer
Andrew Garofoli
Anthony Giuffrida
John Milius
Gennaro Zangardi
Ryan Pepper
Mike McAndrew
Corey Helfrich
Paul Bartleson
Mike Rollman
Matt LoPresto
Edward Kamenas
Taylor Megargel
Chris Mayerski
Justin Popovich
Justin Huff
Mike Brennan
Kyle Follweiler
YR
So.
Fr.
So.
Jr.
So.
Fr.
Jr.
Fr.
Jr.
So.
Jr.
Sr.
So.
So.
Fr.
Jr.
Fr.
Fr.
Sr.
So.
Fr.
Jr.
Sr.
So.
Fr.
Jr.
PO
OF
IF
P
P/C
IF
IF
C/1B
C
P/OF
C/OF
IF
P
IF/OF
IF
IF
P/OF
OF/P
C/IF
C
OF
P
3B/1B
1B/P
P
P
OF/P
HOMETOWN
New Berlin, PA
Moosic, PA
Plains, PA
Pottsville, PA
Pottsville, PA
Lansford, PA
Winslow, NJ
Ashland, PA
Wanamie, PA
Altoona, PA
Endicott, NY
Swoyersville, PA
Pittston Twp., PA
Bainbridge, NY
Avoca, PA
Larksville, PA
Tully, NY
Auburn, PA
Pittston, PA
Ginthers, PA
Catawissa, PA
Swoyersville, PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Montrose, PA
New Ringgold, PA
Slatington, PA
Junior Chris Mayerski earned third
team Regional All-American and
first team All-Conference honors following his sophomore season.
Coach Bio’s
Joe Folek, Head Coach
Folek starts his 12th season as head coach of the
Colonels, and his 22nd season affiliated with the Wilkes program. The Colonels have posted a record of 217
wins, 184 losses and four ties during Folek’s tenure.
Last season he led Wilkes to a record of 19-14-1
and their fifth consecutive winning season. In 2004,
Folek’s squad fashioned an overall record of 28-15-1.
The 28 wins was the most in school history, and
the squad advanced to the Freedom Conference
championship game for the second consecutive year,
while also earning a berth in the ECAC Championships. In 2002, Folek
was named the Freedom Conference’s Coach of the Year after leading
Wilkes to a 24-17-1 record and berths in both the Freedom Conference
and ECAC playoffs.
Prior to becoming head coach, Folek served for six seasons as an
assistant coach for the Colonels. In 1994, he was the third base coach as
the team captured the Middle Atlantic Conference championship. A 1988
Wilkes graduate, he earned four varsity letters as a member of the baseball
team, while playing for former major league player Bob Duliba.
Since Folek joined the coaching ranks at Wilkes, the Colonels
have had five players drafted or signed to professional contracts. This list
includes former Wilkes hurler Kevin Gryboski, who pitched for three-plus
seasons with the Atlanta Braves and is now in the Washington Nationals
organization.
Folek, whose father Walter played for the Colonels in the late
1950’s, is currently employed by the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. He
earned his master’s degree in Special Education from Marywood University, and is currently teaching special education at Meyers High School.
Bob Klinetob, Assistant Coach
Bob Klinetob returns for his 12th season as a member of the Wilkes
coaching staff. Klinetob, who was the Colonels starting catcher on their
1994 Middle Atlantic Conference championship team, graduated from
Wilkes in 1995 with a degree in Biology.
Klinetob has played an integral role in helping Wilkes post four
straight winning campaigns. During that same time span the Colonels
have earned a berth in the Freedom Conference playoffs each year and
also earned invitations to play in the ECAC Southern Baseball Championship in both 2002 and 2004. The 2003 and 2004 teams not only earned
Freedom Conference playoff berths, but both teams advanced to the
conference championship game.
Klinetob, his wife Carina, and their son Kolby reside in Pittston.
Player Bio’s
#19 Gennaro Zangardi, So., Infielder/Outfielder
Pittston Township, PA/Pittston....Political Science Major
Started 20 of the 28 games that he appeared in during
his freshman season at Wilkes...Had a .261 batting
average that included four doubles, one homerun, 14
runs batted in and 10 runs scored...Had a .362 slugging percentage and a solid .369 on base percentage...
Committed only one error in 49 chances while seeing
playing at both second base and in the outfield.
#5 Tom Buckler, So., Pitcher
Plains, PA/Coughlin....Business Major
Should be fully healed from an injury that sidelined him all of last season...Was a Wyoming Valley
Conference all-star during his high school career at
Coughlin...Served as the team captain for two seasons
and led the squad to the state playoffs...Was the MVP
of the New York City Classic and Virginia Showcase
as a member of his summer league team...Also earned
four varsity letters at Coughlin in basketball.
#22 Corey Helfrich, Jr., Pitcher/Outfielder
Larksville, PA/Wyoming Valley West....Criminology Major
Missed all of last season due an injury...Pitched his
first two seasons at Division II Bloomsburg University...Took the hill 20 times with 14 starts for the
Huskies...Went 3-9 during his two seasons with a
5.99 earned run average...Struck out 77 hitters in 84
innings of work and averaged 8.2 strikeouts per nine
innings.
#6 Brad Woznisky, Jr., Pitcher/Catcher
Pottsville, PA/Pottsville....Accounting Major
Enjoyed a solid sophomore campaign both on the
mound and at the plate for the Colonels...Started 23
of the 24 games he appeared in and finished with a
hefty .353 batting average...Chipped in with three
doubles, one homerun and 20 runs batted in...Also
went 2-1 on the mound with a 4.50 earned run average and 19 strikeouts in 22 innings of work.
#27 Matt LoPresto, Sr., Catcher
Pittston, PA/Pittston....Criminology Major
Is a four-year member of the Wilkes baseball team...
Has played in 87 games during his career, including 70
as a starter...Has a career .331 batting average with 21
doubles, two triples and three homeruns...Has driven
in 43 runs and has scored 54 times for the Colonels...
Has registered a solid .973 fielding percentage...Hit at
a .324 clip last season with nine doubles, one triple
and one homerun.
#7 Geoff Miller, So., Infielder
Pottsville, PA/Pottsville....Biology Major
Started 15 of the 18 games that he appeared in during
his rookie season at Wilkes...Hit .175 with one triple,
six runs batted in and seven runs scored...Was a twosport standout during his high school career at Pottsville...Earned three letters in baseball and was named
to the All-County team as a senior...Also garnered
three letters in soccer and was named All-County.
#33 Chris Mayerski, Jr., Third Baseman/First Baseman
Swoyersville, PA/Wyoming Valley West....Business Major
Earned first team All-Freedom Conference honors
during each of his first two seasons at Wilkes...Named
a third team Regional All-American last season...Hit
.393 with 12 doubles, two triples and 10 homeruns a
year ago...Had 43 runs batted in and a .786 slugging
percentage...Hit .301 as a freshman with 15 doubles,
four triples, seven homeruns and 44 runs batted in...Is
a member of the MASCAC Academic Honor Roll.
#15 Andrew Garofoli, So., Catcher/Outfielder
Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle....Pharmacy Major
Played in six games and started one contest during
his freshman season with the Colonels...Hit .333
and scored three runs during the campaign...Earned
four letters in baseball at Bishop Guilfoyle, while also
picking up three letters in football...Hit .502 during
his senior season and was named to the All-Conference team following his sophomore, junior and senior
seasons.
#34 Justin Popovich, Sr., First Baseman/Pitcher
Wilkes-Barre, PA/G.A.R....Criminology Major
Returns for his fourth season as a member of the
Wilkes baseball team...Has played in 71 games during
his career, including 44 as a starter...Has a .278 career
batting average with 10 doubles, three triples, one
homerun and 32 runs batted in...Has pitched in 14
games as a reliever during his first three seasons...Has
a record of 0-1 with a 4.18 earned run average, while
averaging 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings of work.
#16 Anthony Giuffrida, Jr., Infielder
Endicott, NY/Union Endicott....Biochemistry Major
Returns for his third season as a member of the
baseball team at Wilkes...Has played in 15 games during his first two seasons and has a career .300 batting
average...Has not been charged with an error during
his collegiate career...Pitched one inning in relief last
season without allowing a hit or run...Was named to
the MASCAC Academic Honor Roll last spring.
#36 Justin Huff, So., Pitcher
Montrose, PA/Montrose....Chemistry Major
Had a solid freshman season on the mound for the
Colonels...Ranked second on the team in wins and
winning percentage after posting a 3-1 record...Started
each of the seven games he pitched in and fashioned
a 5.06 earned run average...Allowed opponents to hit
just .269 against him...Earned three varsity letters in
both baseball and cross country at Montrose.
#17 John Milius, Sr., Pitcher
Swoyersville, PA/Wyoming Valley West....History Major
Is back for his fourth season as a member of the Wilkes baseball squad...Pitched in nine games a season
ago and went 2-1 with a 5.87 ERA...Struck out 12
hitters and walked only three during the campaign...
Was 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA in nine appearances out of
the bullpen as a sophomore...Saw time on the hill in
four games as a freshman.
#42 Kyle Follweiler, Jr., Outfielder/Pitcher
Slatington, PA/Northern Lehigh....Business Major
Was a second team All-Freedom Conference selection
in 2006...Hit .383 with nine doubles, three triples,
seven homeruns and 34 rbi’s...Went 1-0 on the mound
with two saves and a 2.08 ERA in seven appearances
last spring...Started 25 of the 34 games he played in
as a rookie and hit .346...Went 2-0 on the mound as a
freshman...Is a member of the Wilkes football team and
earned All-American honors last fall as a linebacker.
Jerry Bavitz, Assistant Coach
Jerry Bavitz is entering his 35th year being affiliated with the Wilkes
baseball program. During that time, the former four-year Wilkes standout
has done just about everything, including a stint of four years as the team’s
head coach.
As an assistant coach from 1976 through 1978, Bavitz helped lead
the Colonels to three NCAA regional playoff appearances, while also helping the squad earn a berth in the NCAA College World Series in 1976.
The 1977 team also captured the Middle Atlantic Conference championship. Bavitz has had great success as a pitching coach at Wilkes, with eight
of his former hurlers signing major league contracts.
A former pitcher for the Colonels, Bavitz is a 1975 Wilkes graduate,
receiving a degree in Mathematics. He currently coaches junior high
basketball at Nanticoke Area, while also serving as the Athletic Director.
Mike Toomey, Assistant Coach
Toomey was a four-year member of the Wilkes baseball team,
where he was a starting pitcher for the Colonels. During his career the
left-hander appeared in 37 games on the hill, including 32 as the squad’s
starting hurler. Toomey compiled an overall record of 15 wins and 15
losses during his pitching career at Wilkes. He tossed 10 complete games
and won four constests by shutout. Toomey also posted an earned run
aveage of 5.72 and struck out 102 hitters in 165 innings of work.
Toomey graduated from Wilkes last spring with a degree in Elementary Education. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Education
at Wilkes.
Nate Lipton, Assistant Coach
Lipton is back for his third season as an assistant coach with the
Colonels. A 2000 graduate of Wilkes, Lipton earned four varsity letters
as a pitcher for the Colonels. During his career he fashioned an overall
record of 20-13, which included one no-hitter. He also posted a solid 3.77
earned run average. Lipton had 14 complete games during his playing days
and struck out 174 hitters.
Player Bio’s
#2 Eric Wetzel, So., Outfielder
New Berlin, PA/Mifflinburg....Business Major
Played in 34 games during his freshman season, including 31 as the Colonels starting center fielder...Hit
.227 with one double, one triple and two homeruns...
Also contributed 14 runs batted in and 23 runs
scored...Was caught stealing only once in nine attempts...Had an outstanding year defensively with
only one error in 81 chances.
In The Majors
Wilkes University graduate Kevin Gryboski
’95 will try and make his mark in the Pittsburgh
Pirates organization after signing a free agent
contract with the Pirates during the winter.
Gryboski signed a minor league contract, but
has been invited to major league camp, which
will afford him a chance to earn a spot on the
team’s opening day roster.
A 2005 inductee into the Wilkes University Athletics
Hall of Fame, Gryboski broke onto the major league scene in 2002
after being traded from Seattle to Atlanta during the off-season.
The hard-throwing right-handed reliever spent just one week with
the Braves Triple-A franchise before getting called up. He spent
the remainder of the season with Atlanta and fashioned a 2-1
record and 3.48 earned run average in 57 games. His efforts helped
Atlanta claim the National League East title.
The following season Gryboski again was a work-horse
for Atlanta, pitching in 64 games. He fashioned a 6-4 record and
3.86 ERA. Once again, his performance was critical in the Braves
winning the N.L. East crown.
Gryboski’s third season in Atlanta may have been his
most impressive. He pitched in 69 contests during the campaign,
and posted an impressive 2.84 ERA. Gryboski had a 3-2 record on
the hill during the season and notched a pair of saves to help the
Braves capture another N.L. East title.
The 2005 season saw Gryboski get out of the blocks
quickly. In 31 appearances he had a 2.95 earned run average and
did not have a decision. However, the Braves dealt Gryboski to the
Texas Rangers near the trade deadline. In Texas, Gryboski pitched in
only 11 games and went 1-1 with a
11.17 ERA.
Gryboski signed a free agent contract with the Washington Nationals
prior to last season. Despite posting
impressive numbers during spring
training, he was sent to Triple-A
New Orleans, where he pitched in
52 games. Gryboski had a 4-6 record
with seven saves and a 3.71 ERA.
He also saw action in six games for
the Nationals, where his earned run
average was 14.29.
During his five seasons in the majors Gryboski has posted a 12-8 record with a 4.07 earned run average. He has appeared
in 238 games during his major league career and has registered two
saves. Even more impressive are his playoff numbers with Atlanta.
In those three playoff stints Gryboski appeared in 13 games, allowing only seven hits, and posting a 1.64 ERA.