The Wabash baseball team will focus on defensive, fundamental baseball in 2014. The Little Giants committed 17 more errors than their opponents in 2013, and Coach Cory Stevens plans to improve that number.
 
"We're looking to build around defense and anything we get offensively from there is just a bonus," Stevens said. "I think any good team is going to build around defense — that's what its work is going to be on a daily basis. We also return a lot of experience in the infield."
 
KJ Zelenika, Lucas Stippler, Tanner Watson, and David Oliger figure to line up left to right across the infield with Tyler Hampton catching. Zelenika is the only one of the five without significant varsity experience. However, Stevens is confident in the sophomore's ability to handle the hot corner.
 
"He is extremely strong defensively at third base," Stevens said. "We're looking to build defense around the infield and have a little bit more of an offensive focus in the outfield."
 
The defensive shuffling will move Clint Scarborough and Andrew Rodgers to left field or designated hitter. Each player earned Honorable Mention All-Conference last year and will likely be some of the team's top run producers in the middle of the lineup. Rodgers hit .354 last season and drive in 21 runs. Scarborough averaged .325 and had 18 RBI.
 
After playing a multitude of positions in serving as the team's utility man in 2013, Oliger will settle into a defined role for his sophomore season. He's looking forward to the consistency.
 
"I'm looking forward to having one spot that I'll be in all the time," Oliger said. "It was kind of hectic last year constantly jumping around and playing a different position every game. It will be really nice not having to worry where I'll play — there's a comfort level that comes with that.
 
"One thing I think I have going for me at first base is athletic ability. It's definitely a positive at first base. A lot of people might think first base is where you stick the most non-athletic guy, but athletic ability is very important for a first baseman. You have to be able to move and stretch because throws won't always be to your chest every time."
 
Oliger batted .240 last year with 12 RBI as a freshman.
 
Stevens said Oliger had "fantastic" summer and fall seasons, and is looking for that momentum to continue into the spring. Some mechanical fine tuning helped Oliger find more power in his swing.
 
"I just got more comfortable with a higher leg kick in the summer and fall," Oliger said. "It helps you generate a little more power. I used to be a guy where I didn't really use my lower half that much. The leg kick gets my lower body into it more and that's where your power comes from. Being kind of a bigger guy, I needed to be more of doubles hitter and produce some power."
 
Two-thirds of the outfield returns from a year ago. Trey Fankhauser will move to center field and Tyler Owensby is slated to return to right. Fankhuaser hit .287 and scored 16 runs, and will be an important piece at the top of the order. Owensby hit .270 while driving in a team-leading 22 RBI.
 
On the mound, Wabash returns a plethora of experience. JT Miller highlights the pitching staff.

"He's just continuing to work hard," Stevens said about the staff ace. "I think he's got his eyes set on a conference championship with the rest of our guys and he's going to be a big part of that. He really leads the way for our pitching staff too. To get a win in game one of a conference series is a huge momentum boost, and he's looking to be that guy for us again this year."
 
Miller posted a 2.75 ERA in 10 starts with a 4-4 record. He was second in the conference with 71 strikeouts. Miller will look to continue his dominance, but also help bring along younger members of the rotation.
 
"I'm just trying to help them overcome adversity because it's not going to go great all the time," Miller said. "We saw that with Josh Piercey last year. He showed sparks of greatness, and then would struggle. I'm trying to help them get through that because I went through that struggle my freshman year."
 
The development of sophomores Piercey, Christian Vukas, and closer Nelson Novack will determine much of the staff's success in 2014. Luke Holm will likely serve as the number two behind Miller. Holm earned a 3-3 record with a 4.40 ERA last season. Fellow senior Ross Hendrickson may see time in the rotation if he is healthy. Hendrickson missed last season due to Tommy John surgery.
 
The Little Giants will need the pitching depth in conference play this season. The west division will be another gauntlet, while 2013 NCAC Champion Wooster awaits on the schedule as well.
 
"All those teams will be strong — they always are," Stevens said. "They do a great job recruiting and have great coaches. We've said from day one that we want to play everybody in this conference, and not just teams from the west side. We've lobbied for that for a long time, but it is what it is at this point so you just have to deal with it. It's going to be a dogfight again this year."
 
Team opens in season tomorrow at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas for a double header starting at 12 p.m. Live  statistics from the games can be viewed here.
 
For Miller, the accolades won't mean as much as the wins this year.
 
"Thinking this could potentially be the last time you ever play a competitive game of baseball kind of puts things into perspective," he said. "Most importantly, I just want to win. Individual accolades will come to our team and hopefully to myself, but that's obviously not the most important part. You remember all the wins. You don't remember all the great games you had."