August/September 2013
August/September 2013
Assistant Coach Mitch Heinemeyer steps down to pursue a new career After ten years with Lakeland College as a student and coach, Mitch Heinemeyer has decided to hang up his jersey and sneakers and put on a tie and loafers. Heinemeyer, the team’s lead assistant coach the past two years, has accepted a school counseling position in the Albany, Wis., school district and will be molding young minds away from the diamond. Head Coach Michael Bachar had this to say about Mitch’s departure: “Mitch is going to be greatly missed. Over the four years we coached together, we built a bond that will never be broken. I’m very happy for Mitch, as this move will allow him to be close to family. This move comes at a good time for Mitch as he and his wife, Connie, are expecting a baby girl in early September. “Mitch’s knowledge of the game made him a vital part of the program. He was always looking for new hitting drills and creative ways to make our players better. We wish Mitch the best of luck with his change. It was our pleasure having him here at Lakeland.”
Mike Ruzek steps into full-time role
Steve Boucher stays with the Muskies
Manitowoc native and former Muskie baseball player Mike Ruzek has been hired to replace Mitch Heinemeyer. Ruzek joined the coaching staff as a part time pitching coach last year and now he will work with the players full time.
After completing his master’s degree in counseling the last two years as a graduate assistant, Steve Boucher will remain on the Muskie baseball coaching staff and will assist with the catchers and hitters. “Having Steve around for another year will be important for our program’s growth on and off the field,” Bachar said. “Steve works hard, the guys like to be around him, and he brings an energy to our team that can’t be matched.”
Ruzek played for Lakeland from 2009-12 and finished with some remarkable career totals. At the plate, he is first all-time in Muskie history in on-base percentage (.460), second in batting avg. (.382) and fourth in slugging percentage (.503). On the mound, Ruzek finished second in strikeouts (178), third in innings pitched (221.1) and fourth in games pitched (39) and games started (29). Coach Bachar stated, “Having Mike as a full time coach will really help out our young pitching staff. We have a lot of talented pitchers and Mike’s main objective will be to make them better every day. There is no doubt in my mind, he will.”
Follow the Muskie baseball team on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Lakeland-CollegeBaseball.
Upcoming Events
Fall baseball starts September 9
The Muskies will be back on the field to begin practice for the 2014 season starting Monday, Sept. 9. This year, the Muskies will welcome another big recruiting class, as 15 new faces will be added this fall to make the program’s biggest back-to-back recruiting classes since 2007-08. Fifteen freshmen also were added last fall. . There will be a few changes to this year’s fall season. Typically the Muskies have taken five weeks to fulfill their 16-practice limit, per NCAA rules. This year, the Muskies will be practicing 16 times in four weeks, ultimately giving them six weeks to prepare in the winter, instead of five weeks. The Muskies will take on MATC (Milwaukee Area Technical College) at home on Saturday, Sept. 21 at noon. The last several years, the Muskies have played the alumni for their competition date. Coach Bachar stated, “Playing the Stormers will give us more of a true game atmosphere. I’m excited to get back on the field, we added some depth to our team and I can’t wait to see our guys in action.” 2012 Blue/Gold Scrimmage (pre-game warm-up)
Game vs MATC Sept. 21 Noon Blue/Gold Scrimmage Sept. 28 11 a.m. Homecoming Alumni Game Oct. 5 10 a.m.
The Muskies have 45 players on the roster for the fall, the biggest fall roster in Bachar’s eight years as a Lakeland coach.
Senior Class 2014
#2 Charlie Sparrow OF, Milwaukee, Wis.
#6 Andrew Tague 2B, Racine, Wis.
#15 Brent Steudel C, Hortonville, Wis.
#17 Derek Loomans P, Brandon, Wis.
#24 David Green OF, Marshfield, Wis.
#27 Tim Green 1B/3B, Hager City, Wis.
#30 Matt Weller P, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
#32 Jeremy Mikula 1B/3B, Greendale, Wis.
Assistant Coach Mitch Heinemeyer steps down to pursue a new career After ten years with Lakeland College as a student and coach, Mitch Heinemeyer has decided to hang up his jersey and sneakers and put on a tie and loafers. Heinemeyer, the team’s lead assistant coach the past two years, has accepted a school counseling position in the Albany, Wis., school district and will be molding young minds away from the diamond. Head Coach Michael Bachar had this to say about Mitch’s departure: “Mitch is going to be greatly missed. Over the four years we coached together, we built a bond that will never be broken. I’m very happy for Mitch, as this move will allow him to be close to family. This move comes at a good time for Mitch as he and his wife, Connie, are expecting a baby girl in early September. “Mitch’s knowledge of the game made him a vital part of the program. He was always looking for new hitting drills and creative ways to make our players better. We wish Mitch the best of luck with his change. It was our pleasure having him here at Lakeland.”
Mike Ruzek steps into full-time role
Steve Boucher stays with the Muskies
Manitowoc native and former Muskie baseball player Mike Ruzek has been hired to replace Mitch Heinemeyer. Ruzek joined the coaching staff as a part time pitching coach last year and now he will work with the players full time.
After completing his master’s degree in counseling the last two years as a graduate assistant, Steve Boucher will remain on the Muskie baseball coaching staff and will assist with the catchers and hitters. “Having Steve around for another year will be important for our program’s growth on and off the field,” Bachar said. “Steve works hard, the guys like to be around him, and he brings an energy to our team that can’t be matched.”
Ruzek played for Lakeland from 2009-12 and finished with some remarkable career totals. At the plate, he is first all-time in Muskie history in on-base percentage (.460), second in batting avg. (.382) and fourth in slugging percentage (.503). On the mound, Ruzek finished second in strikeouts (178), third in innings pitched (221.1) and fourth in games pitched (39) and games started (29). Coach Bachar stated, “Having Mike as a full time coach will really help out our young pitching staff. We have a lot of talented pitchers and Mike’s main objective will be to make them better every day. There is no doubt in my mind, he will.”
Follow the Muskie baseball team on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Lakeland-CollegeBaseball.
Upcoming Events
Fall baseball starts September 9
The Muskies will be back on the field to begin practice for the 2014 season starting Monday, Sept. 9. This year, the Muskies will welcome another big recruiting class, as 15 new faces will be added this fall to make the program’s biggest back-to-back recruiting classes since 2007-08. Fifteen freshmen also were added last fall. . There will be a few changes to this year’s fall season. Typically the Muskies have taken five weeks to fulfill their 16-practice limit, per NCAA rules. This year, the Muskies will be practicing 16 times in four weeks, ultimately giving them six weeks to prepare in the winter, instead of five weeks. The Muskies will take on MATC (Milwaukee Area Technical College) at home on Saturday, Sept. 21 at noon. The last several years, the Muskies have played the alumni for their competition date. Coach Bachar stated, “Playing the Stormers will give us more of a true game atmosphere. I’m excited to get back on the field, we added some depth to our team and I can’t wait to see our guys in action.” 2012 Blue/Gold Scrimmage (pre-game warm-up)
Game vs MATC Sept. 21 Noon Blue/Gold Scrimmage Sept. 28 11 a.m. Homecoming Alumni Game Oct. 5 10 a.m.
The Muskies have 45 players on the roster for the fall, the biggest fall roster in Bachar’s eight years as a Lakeland coach.
Senior Class 2014
#2 Charlie Sparrow OF, Milwaukee, Wis.
#6 Andrew Tague 2B, Racine, Wis.
#15 Brent Steudel C, Hortonville, Wis.
#17 Derek Loomans P, Brandon, Wis.
#24 David Green OF, Marshfield, Wis.
#27 Tim Green 1B/3B, Hager City, Wis.
#30 Matt Weller P, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
#32 Jeremy Mikula 1B/3B, Greendale, Wis.
