NKU head coach Todd Asalon (right)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University baseball head coach Todd Asalon is hoping his team’s hard work, both on and off of the field, will result in more victories and a berth to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the Norse this season.

“My personal goals are to make sure that this team is in great physical shape, and to make sure they play hard every day,” Asalon said. “If these two things happen, we should have a special year.

“We have three goals: win the (Great Lakes Valley Conference), win the NCAA regional, win the World Series. The team shares my three goals; they expect to win.”

Last season, the Norse finished with a 31-26 overall record and were 22-14 in the GLVC. The previous year, NKU won the GLVC Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

The Norse are picked to finish third in the 2006 GLVC preseason poll behind defending league champion Wisconsin-Parkside and Saint Joseph’s. NKU, however, is expecting much more this spring.

NKU will be counting on a talented pitching staff to be the key to the team’s success this season. Despite the loss of starting ace Derrik Moeves, who was drafted and signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates last June, pitching should carry the Norse in 2006.

“Our team strength is obviously our pitching staff,” Asalon said. “With a terrific recruiting year, our staff should give us a chance to win any time we take the field.”

NKU senior Paul David Patterson, a 6-foot-8 right-hander, returns to the mound for the Norse after being drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 44th round last season. Patterson posted a 3-4 record last season with a 3.88 earned run average and 29 strikeouts.

Junior pitcher Matt Marksbury

Junior right-hander Matt Marksbury will join Patterson in the starting rotation. Last season, Marksbury finished with a 6-5 record and a 4.06 ERA. He also struck out 32 batters and walked just 10 a year ago.

Newcomers Josh Bruns and Brian Beltz along with sophomores Nathan Jones and Kevin Quick figure to be in the starting rotation as well. Jones saw action in three games last season and posted a 5.40 ERA, while Quick finished with a 4-2 record and a 2.83 ERA for the Norse.

“We have a great set of starters, but an even better bullpen which I can go to at any time,” Asalon said. “Steve Thomas and Greg Moss will give us a chance to close out games late. Mark Bogenschutz and Adam Bell will be the first guys out of the pen.”

A year ago, Thomas was 2-4 with a 4.97 ERA, six saves and 23 strikeouts. Bogenschutz had a 4.74 ERA and Bell went 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA last season. Moss, a transfer from Lewis University, had 46 strikeouts in 65 innings for the Flyers in 2004.

Asalon said sophomore Kenny Barnett and junior Greg Pass will challenge for time on the mound along with newcomers Ry Bowling, Brad Kramer and Matt Winterhalter.

While the Norse return three players who received postseason honors to compliment their pitching staff, Asalon believes one aspect that will help this season is the lack of one standout player.

“We don’t have any superstars, which is what will bring us together,” Asalon said. “We have many different guys who can beat you in many ways.”

Senior catcher Conor McGeehan received All-GLVC accolades and second team All-North Central Region honors. McGeehan batted .295 with six home runs and 27 runs batted in. He is also one of the top defensive catchers in the GLVC.

Kory Lonergan, a junior shortstop, was also named All-GLVC and All-North Central Region. He finished the season with a .322 batting average, 23 stolen bases and 12 RBI for the Norse. Sophomore left fielder Josh Moulton earned first team All-GLVC honors and batted .366 with three triples last season.

“(McGeehan) is our team leader and is not only a terrific player but even a better person, and he should be a draft pick in this year’s Major League Baseball draft,” Asalon said. “(Lonergan) is one of our hardest workers and has all the tools a shortstop needs. He is a great athlete who will be a huge factor again. (Moulton) will likely hit second in the lineup, and he is a fast, strong athlete who needs to be on base often.”

Matt Wagers will move to right field

Also returning for the Norse is Jon Back, a sophomore second baseman. Back saw action in 55 games as a freshman and started 54 times. He batted .244 with two home runs and 15 stolen bases. Matt Jones will be back in the infield, moving to third base after playing first base last season. A year ago, he finished with a .261 batting average, nine doubles and one home run.

Another starter switching positions this season is junior Matt Wagers, moving from third base to right field. Wagers played in 54 games last season, starting 52, and batted .259 with five home runs and 24 RBI.

“(Wagers) started at shortshop as a freshman and third base as a sophomore, but he will play right field this year,” Asalon said. “He is one of our best hitters who will hit third in the order. He has a terrific arm, which is a big reason for the move to right field.”

Asalon said newcomers Chris Nann and Kenny Wilson are also expected to start for the Norse. Nann, an All-American in junior college with good power, will see action at first base. Wilson will start in center field.

“Starting a true freshman in center field can be scary, but (Wilson) has the tools to be very successful,” Asalon said. “He is the fastest player on the team and needs to be on base and make things happen. Chris Nann should be a solid contributor. He comes in with great credentials.”

Sophomore Nick D’Ippolito will start as the designated hitter for NKU, and Brad Meyer will see time in that position as well. D’Ippolito batted .205 and Meyer finished with a .182 batting average last year.

Senior Joe Kendall and sophomore Drew Rushing will vie for playing time as McGeehan’s backup. Rushing could also offer relief for Jones at third base. Newcomers Brian DeCarlo, a sophomore transfer from Phoenix College, Evan McDole and Sean Duggins will contend for action in the infield for NKU.

Asalon said senior Chris Wilson will provide depth in the outfield along with junior Jim Volpe. Wilson saw action in two games last season as a pitcher, while Volpe batted .255 in 21 games with one home run. Jason Nintrup, a junior outfielder, could also see action after playing in 41 games and batting .221 last season.

“Our weakness is our youth. We only have six seniors, but the underclassmen all have game experience and have been battle tested,” Asalon said. “It should be a special year.”

NKU opens the season against defending regional champion Grand Valley State on Feb. 25 at Champion Window Field in Florence, Ky., where it will be playing its home games this season. The GLVC Tournament will take place May 11-14 in Sauget, Ill.

2006 SCHEDULE

2006 ROSTER